Warning — This article contains spoilers for WandaVision.
With "Episode 3" now streaming on Disney+, the weird and wacky narrative of WandaVision continues. The ending of the season premiere set up a secondary narrative separate from Wanda and Vision living their best sitcom life, though it took somewhat of a backseat in the following episode.
The third episode seemed to rekindle these flames while continuing to potentially build towards an unexpected villain for the Scarlet Witch's solo series. For those unsure as to where exactly WandaVision was heading, the ending for "Episode 3" seems to set plot threads in motion...
TWINNING
Following the birth of her twin sons, 'Geraldine' aids Wanda in placing newly-born Billy and Tommy in their crib. Teyonah Parris' character remarks on the surprise of Wanda having twins, to which the Scarlet Witch responds by saying, as if only just remembering, "I'm a twin."
Then, for the first time since Avengers: Age of Ultron , Quicksilver's name is said: "I had a brother. His name was Pietro." Quicksilver could just barely be seen in a picture in the Avengers Facility during Captain America: Civil War , but has not been mentioned otherwise.
To recap, Pietro Maximoff was Wanda's twin brother who was subjected to the same Mind Stone experiments as her sister. While Wanda gained magical abilities, Pietro was turned into a speedster. After escaping HYDRA's clutches, the two found themselves working with Ultron to take down Tony Stark, who they all harbored a grudge against. The twins stayed together through thick and thin, even when deciding to side with the Avengers when Sokovia was threatened.
So why hasn't Wanda's brothers been brought up again, despite how close the twins seemed to be? Scarlet Witch could be repressing the trauma she has experienced throughout the MCU, not wanting to burden others with her troubles. This may have an adverse effect though, as indicated by how the scene continues...
CHILD OF SOKOVIA
With the illusion of the sitcom now completely broken, 'Geraldine' is visibly shocked by this revelation. Unphased by Monica's reaction, Wanda sings a Sokovian lullaby to her children, possibly in remembrance of her lost brother. 'Geraldine' interrupts this moment, rather bluntly remembering that "he was killed by Ultron, wasn't he?"
This is, of course, referring to Quicksilver's sacrifice play in Age of Ultron , where he shielded Hawkeye and group of children from a barrage of bullets from an Ultron-controlled Quinjet. The impact of Pietro's death was certainly felt by his sister, shown when Wanda screams in agony while decimating a legion of Ultron drones. This seemed to demonstrate that the twins had a bond that transcended biology, possibly suggesting that the two were connected through their exposure to the Mind Stone.
Ultron is another character that is oft forgotten, being mentioned here and there but having little impact on the MCU aside from his contributions to the Sokovia Accords. The killer AI could make a reappearance somehow, perhaps in a future commercial to haunt Wanda further.
Another interesting note is how much agency 'Geraldine' has in this moment. Wanda's memory of Quicksilver could be flowing through her, if the Scarlet Witch is truly in control of her reality. With Wanda's trauma seeming to seep into aspects of Westview, it wouldn't be surprising if this also extended to its residents. This has been somewhat hinted at in "Episode 2," where Westview's civilians say for "For the children" in a cult-like manner. This could be referring to Wanda's sons Tommy and Billy, implying that Westview is a means to cultivate the Scarlet Witch's spawn.
Alternatively, she could be acting on her own freewill, starting to remember her role prior to entering Westview. 'Geraldine,' who we know to actually be Monica Rambeau, certainly would have known about Pietro's fate, likely being briefed on the topic by SWORD. Monica could have let this crucial fact slip, only to instantly regret it.
AGENT OF SWORD
As Monica gleefully tries to return to the script, Wanda questions why she would bring up Ultron. Wanda's accent becomes distinctly more Sokovian, as she continues to probe Monica. An offer to help with her crying babies is turned down, before Wanda firmly asks Monica to leave. Surprisingly, Monica doesn't back down, getting more frustrated with Wanda's diversion from the script.
Wanda notices that Monica bears a necklace in the shape of a sword, similar to the logo seen on the toy helicopter and the back of the beekeeper from the second episode. After Wanda questions who 'Geraldine' is, Monica mumbles that she can't remember. Tommy and Billy's cries get louder and louder as Wanda approaches the intruder.
The MCU seemed to phase out Wanda's Sokovian accent over time, becoming less pronounced as the franchise went on. WandaVision seemed to be the nail in the coffin for Scarlet Witch's roots, with Wanda adopting an exaggerated American accent to match the sitcom format.
Marvel Studios has not forgotten her roots though, with this moment demonstrating that the American inflections are in fact a falsity. Therefore, it seems that Wanda has created a fictionalized version of herself to escape her real-world troubles.
The scene also demonstrates the underlying darkness that the Scarlet Witch buries within. Wanda will clearly stop at nothing to preserve her ideal reality.
A REALITY, SHATTERED
After Vision comes back inside from his conversation with Agnes and Herb, he finds Wanda ominously looking over the children. Wanda, with her American accent back, tells Vision that 'Geraldine' left, keeping up the facade. But as the aspect ratio shifts, something is clearly amiss.
The scene opens on a sign for Westview that differs from the one seen in WandaVision' s premiere episode. Television-like static appears in the sky above the town, as Monica Rambeau, covered in crimson energy, is flung through a portal. The same static can be seen curving around an area in the sky as the camera pans out, implying that Westview has been concealed in a barrier, Annihilation style. SWORD is closely monitoring the situation, as shown by spotlights that surround the enclosed area.
As Monica flutters awake, armed individuals, black cars and helicopters approach her. "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees closes the episode, the same tune heard in WandaVision 's Disney Investor Day trailer.
SWORD is finally getting more limelight. The organization was shown to be monitoring Westview closely at the end of the season premiere. It will be interesting to see how SWORD will deal with Monica's return and what she recalls from her time in the bubble. Monica's amnesia seems to have been a side effect from being assigned a role in Wanda's sitcoms, though these issues could follow her into the real world. Monica was also curiously embroiled in energy after flying through the portal, resembling Captain Marvel's abilities somewhat. Could this be how Monica Rambeau gains her powers?
One notable aspect of this ending is that there are no faux closing credits or "The End" screen, unlike the previous two episodes. Both "Episode 1" and "2" had relatively happy endings, but the third episode seems to leave Wanda and Vision's relationship rather frayed. Vision didn't seem quite so convinced by Wanda's responses; this could suggest that this particular storyline has yet to come to a close.
While the series has been sitcom-heavy for its first three episodes, the final moments and the lack of a closing sequence in "Episode 3" could signal a change of pace for the remainder of the show. The show may split its runtime in future episodes to give more attention to SWORD, who have primarily remained in the background. Randall Park's Jimmy Woo and Kat Dennings' Darcy Lewis have been noticeably absent, so future episodes could finally see them have a substantial impact on the show's overall narrative. Fans can expect to see more of how SWORD meddles with the Scarlet Witch as WandaVision heads into its thrilling second act of the season.
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