Everything is not as it seems on Disney Plus’s original miniseries WandaVision from Marvel Studios. While the basis of the story is about two characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) who are now living in the suburbs, there is an eerie undertone to the whole series.

The first episode starts out with Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) living in a ‘50s-style sitcom, while the second episode is a ‘60s-style sitcom and so on, with the nine-episode miniseries leading up to sitcoms from the 21st century. 

If viewers watched previous MCU movies, right away, it is obvious that something is amiss since Vision died in Avengers: Infinity War. Besides subtle clues and easter eggs, it is not openly discussed until later episodes. 

Despite some people finding the first couple of episodes slow, I think they was a great build-up to the main plot of the story. Even in the beginning, there are strange moments when the viewers question what is happening, and a main part of the plot is not divulged until the fourth episode.

With more than half of the episodes out now, WandaVision is still shrouded in mystery, and the true antagonist of the story is unknown. Since the basis of the story comes originally from the comics, there are many theories, but nothing is known for sure.

My favorite part of the show is its foothold across multiple genres. Even though I originally was not a huge fan of the MCU, WandaVision is a unique and meta show that caught my attention and left me eagerly waiting for more each week. 

Anyone who loves sitcoms would enjoy this show, as it accurately captures different decades of TV. It creates a sense of nostalgia with its multiple references from the audience’s own childhood. Each decade has multiple references to popular shows during that time. 

It emulates shows such as I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Brady Bunch, Growing Pains, Full House, Malcolm in the Middle, and Modern Family throughout the episodes.

And, of course, for superhero fans, the show does not disappoint, incorporating multiple elements from the previous MCU movies. It also includes familiar faces from past movies that some might have even forgotten, who at points offer comedic relief from the darker undertones of the show.

The meta parts of the show are perfectly intertwined throughout the episodes, which makes the crossing of so many genres work. While I might have been skeptical of the concept of the show when I first heard of it, it all fits into a very well-conceived storyline that unfolds across its six-hour runtime.

In the last year, with cinematic movie experiences being limited or altogether shut down, WandaVision offers some of the old movie magic, but the audience is able to view it safely from their own home. Being released each Friday with varying show lengths, it promises to offer a big finale, setting up other future MCU movies and series.

I highly recommend checking out WandaVision on Disney Plus for those who enjoy the MCU movies, but I also recommend it for people who enjoy a good enigma.