Episode six of WandaVision series from Marvel is here, streaming now on Disney Plus, how does it move the story forward, here’s our review.

Episode six of WandaVision was one of the most brilliant half-hours of TV I have seen in a VERY long time. It had absolutely everything a Marvel fan would want. There was threat, friction between the main characters, suspense and mystery. And at long last, some genuine comedy within the sitcom homage.

SPOILERS: If you’re reading this then you’ve probably seen the show, but if not there are spoilers ahead.

The 90s

Initially, I was a bit disappointed that they leapt forward from Family Ties to Malcolm in the Middle. This meant they had missed out on almost an entire generation of sitcoms, from Seinfeld to Friends to Married With Children. It also meant that the anticipated meta Full House references didn’t materialise. That show starred Elizabeth Olsen’s real-life twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley. A meta opportunity missed but not damaging to the narrative.

However, the Malcolm in the Middle (MITM) homage was absolutely perfect. More importantly, it fitted the WandaVision narrative brilliantly. Of course, we had the obligatory beautifully constructed MITM-style title sequence. But what made this work was everything else. The cut-aways, Billy and Tommy breaking the fourth wall, and whip-smart jokes. All of which were delivered at the pace we know from every other MCU movie and series we’ve seen. Most importantly, they were delivered without a laughter track.

In the Hex

All of this pace was used to accentuate us feeling the same unease as Wanda. It made sure we knew that the ‘reality’ she has created is all completely false. It is cherry-picking elements from her memory to cocoon her from the reality that exists outside ‘The Hex’. Even Herb asked her, very pointedly, if there was anything about what was happening that she wanted to change.

That became clear in this episode as Vision tried to leave The Hex. He explored WestView and discovered numerous people on the edge of town in a catatonic state. This also resulted in him having his tense conversation with Agnes. She was glitching during the conversation and was continuously feeling for her brooch. The brooch was the same as Agatha Harkness’ from the comics. Agnes was asking Vision whether he could help them and mentioned The Avengers, who Vision had no recollection of. This showed that he has no memory, other than what Wanda has implanted in him. They both became agitated by the conversation before Vision used his powers to calm her.

No escape

When he then tried to leave The Hex, he was having the life physically ripped from his body in front of the S.W.O.R.D. agents. The only way Wanda could save him was to expand The Hex, sucking in everyone other than Tyler Hayward who escaped. All of the law enforcement agents were turned into clowns or circus workers. This referred again to her Sokovian roots, as her mother was a fortune teller in the comics. She had already mentioned this when explaining her Halloween costume, which was The Scarlet Witch’s comic book uniform. Vision also wore his, until he turned into his Avengers self as he tried to see what was outside The Hex.

The recast Pietro

The undoubted star of this episode was Evan Peters. He absolutely thrived playing the naughty uncle in this episode, and his appearance as Quicksilver has added so much to this series. It also meant that the anticipated meta Full House references didn’t materialise. That show starred Elizabeth Olsen’s real-life twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley. A meta opportunity missed but not damaging to her brother Pietro, but not the version that existed in her world. This is demonstrated by the repeated showing of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s death in Age of Ultron, and references by Darcy to his ‘recasting’. When he challenges her reality in the town square, in front of the cinema, she lashes out at him and freezes her reality completely. She does this so she can expand The Hex and drag Vision back in. He also says that he felt she needed him, which is why he came to her. Incidentally, the cinema is showing ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘The Incredibles’. The latter of those is about a family with special powers. Sound familiar?

We really got to see our first proper demonstration of Tommy and Billy’s powers. That looks very much like a plot point that will develop over the remaining three episodes. We are also now aware that Monica Rambeau’s DNA has been changed as a result of being pushed out of The Hex. It’s a pretty safe bet this is planting the seed for her to develop her photon powers ahead of Captain Marvel 2.

Ad break

The only misstep of this episode was the mid-show advert for Yo-Magic yoghurt, which didn’t seem to make much sense at all. That said, this is Marvel, so there will probably be a call back to it at some point where its hidden meaning will be revealed.

We’re now ⅔ of the way through this series and we’re clearly being primed for an epic final act, just as we are in every Marvel movie. I’m hoping Evan Peters will stay through till the end of the series as he has been a joy to watch and clearly has more to give to the plot. There are strong rumours of a major cameo in the finale, which my guess will be either Captain Marvel, Dr Strange or the true MCU Pietro Maximoff. Or could it be Mephisto?

We have a few days to Wanda about that until Episode seven, which is supposedly a homage to Modern Family. The idea of Vision trying to be Phil Dunphy could be the TV equivalent of Phil’s favourite thing…magic.

CULTURE CROSSING SCORE 10/10

Thank you for reading our review of WandaVision episode six. Do you agree or disagree with our points or have anything to add? If so, leave us a comment below.

Read our WandaVision episode five review HERE.

Read IMDB information about WandaVision HERE.