The final saga series is here, and it’s packed with everything we loved from WandaVision and Agatha All Along. The story picks up years after both series, with White Vision (Paul Bethany) attempting to bridge the emotional aspect of the memories given to him by Wanda’s Vision, a creation from her powers alone. But of course, it can’t be that simple, can it?
Join us as we dive into the first two episodes of Visionquest and feel the feels once again. You know the drill: we’ve got spoilers ahead, so be warned!
A Family Tree of AIs Returns
If you’ve forgotten, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) created an array of assistant artificial intelligences, and they all make a comeback, even Ultron (James Spader) himself. White Vision is having an existential crisis, and he managed to retrieve all the code of Stark’s AIs, and they’re all living in his quantum processor. Each of which is helping him understand the human experience. James D’Arcy returns as J.A.R.V.I.S., Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y., Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., Henry Lewis as D.U.M.E., and Jonathan Sayer as U.
Ultron is the old man of the house, taking the mantle as “Father” to White Vision, while J.A.R.V.I.S. takes up the role of security and older brother. F.R.I.D.A.Y. takes up the role of human specialist while E.D.I.T.H. is in charge of understanding fun. D.U.M.E. and U. are maintenance.
All in all, these AIs make up the majority of the story because they are the very beings that help White Vision understand the truth about himself based on the Ship of Theseus philosophical question that his predecessor left him. This is where the bulk of episode one happens.
Impeccable Cinematography
As most of the story so far is happening inside White Vision, the transitions between the human realm and his inner workings are one to behold. The golden and silver flecks of tech come on screen when he enters his old-fashioned home to revisit his memories as Vision, the hero and lover of Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). The vibe once inside his inner self turns into a vintage dreamscape that’s similar to the first season and what one would see in the Fantastic Four adaptation.
Also, it was incredible to see Vision in action again with all his machinery, phasing, and lasers being on full display just to save his son.
The Plot Thickens: It’s a Boy!
Ruaridh Mollica as Tommy Maximoff in juvenile holding | Photo from Disney+
This portion tackles where the Visionquest ties in with Agatha All Along and has the bulk of the spoilers. Last we saw Billy, he was resurrecting his brother, and lo and behold, Ruaridh Mollica plays Thomas Shephard/Tommy Maximoff. His introduction is through Paladin (Todd Stashwick) kidnapping him, since someone has a bounty on White Vision’s head. It isn’t revealed yet, of course, but it was incredibly heartfelt because of how Ultron sparks White Vision to move and save his son. We won’t say anything more for this portion, but we genuinely appreciate how Episode 2 established the incoming relationship between all the AIs, White Vision, and Tommy.
Compare and Contrast through Just Right Pacing and Impeccable Dialog
Another aspect we love is the seamless tying of all the details. They actually take time to bring the viewers back to Wanda and Vision’s relationship through the eyes of a third party: White Vision. There’s a sprinkle of Ultron too, which ties in the psychotic AI from Age of Ultron into the already expansive universe of these two lovers. Each of which has a history with the violent AI.
When they introduced the characters, despite being many, it brought the viewers into the experience of being an AI. It was interesting to see how Vision interacted with humans through the eyes of mercy and empathy because of Wanda, but this White Vision is alone and only alone with Stak’s AIs. And now that Billy is in the picture, it’s their turn to go through the motions of finding themselves.
Now, pair that with strong dialog deliveries from Bethany, Spader, and Mollica, Visionquest throws everyone into the feels. We especially loved how Spader’s Ultron pushed Bethany’s Vision to act about Tommy. You’ll have to watch the episodes for that banger. And as we saw in the trailers, Mollica has such emotive delivery, you can also feel the weight of his words when he speaks.
If you watched the trailers, you’d get the hints for this portion already. But that’s what makes it exhilarating to watch, since everything else is a surprise from here on out.
The Drama That Is To Come: The Last Stage of Grief
WandaVision was the expression of Wanda’s stages of grief. Agatha All Along was Billy’s acceptance and grief. Visionquest is Tommy’s and Vision’s reaction to grief. After navigating through all the motions alone, this duo will now have to confront the truth about themselves head-on, which makes for such an interesting dynamic. After all, finding themselves in their grief as individuals is the response to the last stage of grief: accepting who they are now.
Catch the episodes every Tuesday on Disney+ until November.
SEA Wave Magazine gives Visionquest 4.5 out 5 stars for its innovative storytelling and heart that’s seen through all aspects of production.