The first two episodes of WandaVision premiered with a grand throwback to a couple of America’s classic television sitcoms. Fans had gathered from the trailers that Wanda and Vision would be living in some sort of an alternate world, where they are married and their lives are like sitcom characters. But soon, they realize that there is something wrong with reality.
WandaVision is the first project of Marvel’s Phase 4 and has been shrouded in mystery for a long time. Although many knew that the show would be related to sitcoms, it was unclear which ones it would especially focus on.
The first two episodes of WandaVision are a shoutout to the greatest sitcoms of the black and white era of television- the 50s and the 60s.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, take a look at the list below.
1. Episode 1
The first episode of WandaVision kicks off by paying homage to I Love Lucy- the fonts in the opening credits of the Disney+ show are directly inspired by the sitcom. The story is particularly similar to one from the legendary sitcom: Wanda tries to fulfill the duties of a suburban wife by hosting a dinner for Vision’s boss and his wife.
The setup in the couple’s home is a reference to another hit sitcom of the 60s, The Dick Van Dyke Show. The kitchen area, in particular, resembles the Petrie household, including the kitchen window through which the dining room can be seen.
In trying to show Wanda’s powers- she uses them to do simple household spells with a slight wave or a hand movement, WandaVision has alluded to I Dream of Jeannie, a sitcom in the 60s about a genie who falls in love with her master.
Of course, like most sitcoms of the yesteryears, the first two episodes of WandaVision have a live audience and every joke and humorous situation is met with peals of laughter.
2. Episode 2
Continuing with the sitcoms of the 60s, the second episode takes much of its story and settings from Bewitched. Much like Bewitched, a central concern of Wanda and Vision’s life is to blend in with the non-powered human beings of the neighborhood and not let them discover the couple’s superpowers.
In Bewitched, the protagonist Samantha’s husband often falls victim to his (witch) wife’s spells, and behaves oddly, while Samantha has to cover for them. WandaVision’s second episode sees Wanda trying to keep the neighbors from noticing an out-of-control Vision.
The episode begins and ends as per Bewitched tradition too- with a cold open and a closing epilogue.
Episode three onwards, the show will move on to sitcoms in the 70s and leave its black-and-white setting behind. So far, the show has managed to keep its fans’ interests piqued as Wanda and Vision’s sitcom life deepens the mystery about what is happening to the two superpowered beings.
Apart from a few things from the real world that intrude in their picture-perfect suburban life now and then (the red helicopter, the beekeeper, the radio message), the simulation or alternate world seems pretty foolproof.
The third episode will drop next Friday, on Disney+.
Did you watch WandaVision? Which sitcom do you think the show will pay tribute to in the third episode?
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