Wanda and Vision continue to live their suburban lives as the imminent arrival of their child is sped up and becomes much more immediate.
In a similar vein to the two previous episodes, we see further escapades of Wanda and Vision with more hints to something greater, but as things start to become more sinister, the balance between family comedy and mystery starts to tip.
Continuing on from the end of last week’s episode, Wanda has fallen pregnant and the couple (as well as the rest of Westview) has transferred from black and white to colour and another decade. The earliest indication of this comes in the form of the wonderfully upbeat and kitchy opening credits, a tribute to the shows of the 1970s, particularly The Brady Bunch, even down to the font. They are a young, popular couple who have made done what they set out to do: fit in. The first colour episode knows how to have fun with this era, throwing in funky hairdos and retro fashion, it certainly suits the star couple who carry on with their onscreen chemistry with ease.
As the episode progresses, so does Wanda’s pregnancy at an exponential rate. The farcical element of the show is amped up as Wanda desperately tries to hide her pregnancy from Geraldine and Vision is forced into action as Wanda starts to experience contractions. Jokes including an exchange between Dr. Nielsen and Vision, “Every new father gets nervous.” / “Well I have nerves of steel so there goes that theory!” and Wanda’s water breaking keep the lighthearted tone whilst mixing in ominous elements. It’s the accurately executed shifts in tone which make writing from Megan McDonnell so sharp. She expertly navigates two stories at once, as we receive further yet equally mysterious hints whilst watching an episode of a sitcom.
As the couple have separate conversations with their neighbours, we are lead down a path of curiosity which is still only leaving traces. Kathryn Hahn who plays Agnes and David Payton’s Herb are both left off screen for most of the episode before Vision joins for a brief neighbourly chinwag and Wanda chats with Geraldine inside after giving birth. These conversations are fascinating to watch, with a deeply dark undercurrent just waiting to come out. What that will be is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: the MCU is changing and all the better for it.
5 out of 5.
Keep. It. Reel.
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