Following the hugely innovative but head scratching first three episodes of Marvel’s first foray into a sitcom setting, “We Interrupt This Program” finally starts to peel back some of the meticulous layers of the show’s central mystery. The fourth instalment cleverly begins to connect the dots to the wider universe with the inclusion of a number of familiar faces and events in a satisfying payoff.
There’s no denying that WandaVision is the boldest and weirdest entry from the studio yet, with it’s dive into the surreal fantasy realm occasionally teasing a darker twist on events, marking a huge departure from the usual action based outings. Thankfully for some fans, “We Interrupt This Program” will feel much more familiar, with the disorientating opening linking directly to the events of Avengers Endgame as we see those affected by “the blip” intriguingly return.
The frenetic and hugely emotional intro sequence quickly unveils Geraldine’s true identity as the adult Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), daughter of Captain Marvel‘s Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch). As the episode progresses, it’s clear that this will diverge from the previous sitcom format; set in the wider world we learn that Maria established Sentient Worlds Observation and Response Department (S.W.O.R.D) to help aid SHIELD with extraterrestrial events. There’s a definite Agents of SHIELD vibe to this instalment, linking nicely to the extended universe.
The episode wonderfully brings together Monica Rambeau (Parris) with Ant-Man and the Wasp‘s loveable FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) and Thor’s quirky and hilarious Dr Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). Featuring a brilliant (and heart warming) callback to Scott Lang, Jimmy Woo’s entrance is honestly the best; the trio work with SWORD to try and unearth the weird mysterious of West View with a huge amount of comedy, clever interweaving moments from the first three episodes from an outside perspective. The dynamic between Darcy and Jimmy is just so brilliant – I would absolutely love to see a spinoff with these two investigating the weirder side of the MCU!
Juxtaposing the light comedy of Darcy and Jimmy is a surprisingly dark reveal harking back to the final moments of the third episode. This reveal genuinely shocked me, and is wonderfully played by Bettany and Olsen who continue to excel in the more thrilling moments. The scene is an exciting tease for the more sinister events to come, and definitely sows the seeds for a connection to Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
Verdict
“We Interrupt This Program” excels in connecting the bonkers sitcom aspects with the wider MCU universe, featuring a surprising and exciting payoff for fans. This really is a groundbreaking series for Marvel, who are only beginning to scratch the surface of the more sinister aspects of the world. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next!
Rating:
