Oh, where’s Die Hard‘s John McClaine when you need someone to sarcastically welcome you to the party, pal. Lately, I’ve been catching up on the Disney+ Marvel shows from last year, in a preparation for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and I’m sure I’m well behind all the Marvel scholars out there who watched these shows week to week. I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to get to these shows really, as I was genuinely excited by the thought of WandaVision, but then, there’s just so much to watch in the world and only so many hours in the day. I want to track these shows – WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and Hawkeye – specifically for how they continued on our established characters, and give my thoughts on the new characters and concepts introduced to the wider Marvel Universe. This article will be similar to how I wrote about the Netflix-era Marvel Knights shows, but instead of ranking my favourite characters across the series, I’m going to keep my discussions within the confines of each show’s title. That’s my endgame… Time to love Marvel some more!
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WandaVision – Established Characters
Wanda Maximoff (The Scarlett Witch)
I think Wanda was already my favourite character in the MCU anyway, but this series, showing off the extent of her powers, had me floored, in my element. As the first of these four new shows, the emotional fallout of ‘Infinity War and ‘Endgame is evident right away, and I’m glad that, in this series, Wanda gets to mourn the death of Vision, and even create a wonderful life with him, even if the ramifications of these actions may frame her a villain going forward – nothing is for free in this world, and there’s always a trade-off. WandaVision was able to have fun recreating a history of television sitcoms, which was admirable, and a joy to watch (I got a little giddy at the suspected Full House influences I found, even though it seems Disney+ couldn’t name the show directly; #sisterslovingsisters). The series also dived in exploring the ‘Scarlett Witch’ aspect of Wanda’s comic book persona, which had yet to be fully realised in the MCU. Wanda has never been the most noble of the MCU, but I’ve always gravitated towards her characterisation and motivation, and I think WandaVision has enhanced her legacy superbly. I can’t wait to see her part in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
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Monica Rambeau
Technically, we have seen Monica Rambeau before, as a child, interacting with Captain Marvel. But this series uses her as an adult, recovering after the blip, and acting as our conduit into exploring S.W.O.R.D for the first time; a parallel governmental program to the once mighty S.H.I.E.L.D., out to protect the world from all adversaries. Considering WandaVision is clearly Wanda’s show, I loved how it was also able to be used as a backdoor for an origin story for Monica, gaining a really interesting set of superpowers, and I’m excited to see her again in The Marvels. I’m not a huge fan of Captain Marvel (and I don’t think I’m alone there), but I can see Monica being the same type of intergalactic hero, yet keeping Earth in mind. If she puts Carol Danvers in her place for galivanting off to unknown places and being super cocky in her abilities, then I’m all for it. There’s still time for Captain Marvel to turn me around though, but right now, I’m all-in with Photon, Pulsar, or Spectrum… whatever her new name may be.
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Darcy Lewis
The biggest and best surprise for me throughout the series’ was the return of Darcy Lewis. I can’t deny that Thor: Ragnarok was a good movie, but as a fan of the Thor movies before that, and more than most, I was disappointed when there were a few elements the third movie left behind to pursue a lighter tone. When we first met Darcy, she was a goofy physics student, and now the student has become the goofy master, who knows her way around an Avenger, and two. She is instrumental in cracking this case, and I’m a big fan of competence (which is a theme of this post, I assure you). If this is a last time we see Darcy Lewis, then so be it, but I’m thrilled she’s come full circle.
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Vision
So, the Vision we see in WandaVision isn’t really Vision, but a projection and memory of Wanda’s Vision, and I like that. You can think of WandaVision as an extended dream sequence; it’s Wanda’s way of saying goodbye, and I’m all for it. I probably appreciated what Vision meant to Wanda, and all those around him, the most during WandaVision. I enjoyed the episodes that included Vision trying to figure out how this plain of reality was really working, and whether it was allowed to be enjoyed or had to be destroyed for the greater good. WandaVision allowed the humanity within Vision to show through, even as a 1950’s sitcom advertising agent, or a father, sceptical as to whether his children should own a puppy; I may’ve thought of him as merely a contemplative robot before here. The show then tries to explain his returned presence as made possible by the remnants of the Mind Stone left in Wanda’s heart from her Sokovian experimental days, but as I said before, I’m happiest thinking of him as his wife’s protection, and maybe Agatha’s magic made him more real; I’m comfortable not worrying about stone dust one way or the other. A great exitlude for the Vision, was WandaVision.
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Jimmy Woo
Agent Woo, has got a job to do. He’s got a good heart. He gives it his all. He’s played by Randall Park who knows how to be hilarious when the moment calls for it. Keep it up!
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WandaVision – New Characters
Pietro Maximoff (Ralph Bohner) / Quicksilver
I wish, I wish, I’d have watched WandaVision with the rest of the world, for when the moment comes, and Wanda opens the door to Evan Peters, I would’ve lost my mind – that’s not her brother, that’s ‘Days of Future Past Pietro! 😱 Aaron Taylor-Johnson played Quicksilver in the MCU, and he and Evan Peters were both in Kick-Ass together as youngsters; did you catch the Kick-Ass reference in the Malcolm-in-the-Middle-style Halloween episode? 👌 Nice. My only concern is that I hope where Doctor Strange says to Wanda in the ‘Multiverse of Madness trailer, that she’s had dealings with the multiverse before, he’s not talking about this Quicksilver, because we later discover that he is really Ralph Bohner, a resident of Westview bewitched by Agatha, so this ‘multiversal’ reference, to the fact that there’s been two Quicksilvers in cinema, is really only a reference for us, the audience, as far as I see it. But actually, as for this Quicksilver appearance; first and foremost, Evan Peters is always a dream, obviously, but this self-centred boyish characterisation is the one I’m most familiar with regarding Quicksilver, having watched Wolverine & the X-Men back in the day. I love that the MCU was able to find a way to make this interpretation canon.
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Billy & Tommy Maximoff
As I’ve alluded to already, I’m very glad Wanda got to say goodbye to Vision in her own way, and part of that memory that will forever exist, are Billy & Tommy. Even though I didn’t know it at the time, these sons do exist in the comics, and I’m sure somebody somewhere was glad to see them debut on the big screen. Well, little screen. Well, big screen, depending on how big your telly is. Billy and Tommy were characterised well; they got to own a puppy, go treat-or-treating with their uncle, develop powers, and help Mum and Dad in a final battle.
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Agatha ‘Agnes’ Harkness
Honestly, the weakest part of WandaVision came when Agnes revealed herself as a witch, who had been infusing her own layers of magic into Wanda’s fantastical construction. I like her motivation; how she’s attracted to Wanda as a source of power, but do we really need witches in the MCU, yet again changing the history of Earth, and waylaying Iron Man and Captain America as the founding humanity with superhuman abilities? Oh well, I guess we’re going to have vampires soon with Mahershala Ali’s Blade, so I won’t complain. Kathryn Hahn is too good of an actress, so she was never going to be just the neighbourhood busybody, although she excels at comedy too. Although I find Agatha Harkness a pretty forgettable villain, she’s helped to unlock Wanda’s full potential, so hats off to her, and bring it on, baby!
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Tyler Hayward
Another white ‘mite-is-right’ official, corrupting his position of power at S.W.O.R.D. In his defence, sometimes when you’re the boss, you’ve got to make a call, and you’re not always going to be correct – bad luck, champ; perhaps be nicer to good people though. I wonder if we’ll see him again.
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White Vision
There’s a NEW Vision. Ultimately, I don’t care about new Vision. This all-white pristine and cold Vision may have been a good idea for the WandaVision series, to have the Visions pontificate with each other about their role in humanity, but I’m bothered by how he’s not dismantled, alive to appear in future MCU productions again. I thought the Vision should stay dead, and rebooting him with 2.0 is not something I’m overly interested in. Prove me wrong, Marvel. Prove. Me. Wrong.
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The Falcon & the Winter Soldier – Established Characters
Helmut Zemo
The absolute stand-out of The Falcon & the Winter Soldier for me is Helmut Zemo. I put him high in my category of villainous characters that you’re not supposed to love, but somehow, I still do, like Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones. In both cases, it all comes down to competence, and Baron Zemo is steps ahead of our heroes, making what he wants to happen into a reality. Just think on the scenes where Helmut, Bucky and Sam are trying to find out where a funeral will be, and Helmut finds out first by being friendly to the children. Or how he takes his opportunity to destroy as many traces to the super-soldier serum as he can, and it’s creator, while our ‘heroes’ are lagging behind. I love how the show introduces Zemo’s traditional purple mask, his wealth, and his non-western views on herodom. And thinking back on Captain America: Civil War, he’s really 0-2 for disrupting the plans of Marvel’s greatest, and I’ve got to respect him as a character for that. Also, Daniel Brühl is excellent.
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Sam Wilson (Falcon / Captain America)
This series is an excellent gift for Sam Wilson and Andrew Mackie. The opening episode starts with a mission designed perfectly to showcase the beauty and skill of the Falcon, before he fully commits to the transition to Captain America. And I guess Marvel had to, or wanted to, address what it means to be a black man, embodying America’s shiniest symbol, in a meaningful way; it was time for real talk. The atrocious and discounted history of African Americans are not to be pushed aside – the fact that Isiah Bradley’s statue is erected in the history museum at the end, is a step towards a united future America, for all colours and creeds. Sam Wilson is shown to be insightful, understanding the plight of the Flagsmashers, and correctly predicting that the mantle of Captain America would be better left alone, as Steve Rogers was one of a kind. Sam eventually accepts the role, knowing that if he doesn’t, then someone else always will. His final lecture is a bit janky, as the senators do seem to grasp the complexity of the issue the Flagsmashers represent, but I’m sold on Sam Wilson as Captain America so far; I was already sold on him after Avengers: Endgame.
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James ‘Bucky’ Barnes (The Winter Soldier)
I was confused with Bucky when The Falcon & the Winter Soldier first started. For some reason, I thought we were over Bucky feeling lost and disconnected in the modern world. But, as the series went on, Bucky’s character went to a place where I can respect. He worked hard alongside Sam, and Sam told him he could step out from forever wondering what Steve Rogers would do, and be confident in being his own man. I like it, and I think Sam’s sister Sarah, liked what she saw too 🥰
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Sharon Carter (Power Broker)
It felt right to have Sharon Carter back in the action. Although, I don’t care for her as the Power Broker. This is the problem I have with a lot of espionage content (and I’m looking at you Mission Impossible) – it’s hard to care about the noble causes these people of the state aim to protect, when almost every single one of them is a mole, or betraying the country. It gets to point where I just throw my hands up and think, ‘these institutions attract bad people, so what’s the point?’. I think you can only do a traitor angle so many times, because it ends up muddling what you’re fighting for. Yet, on the other hand, Sharon was shafted by her own government, and I can understand that she could’ve been desperate, using whatever knowledge she had to make a life for herself in hiding. But for Sharon Carter to become this monolithic villain so quickly, in a faux Asian city supposedly filled with awful people, I’m not onboard.
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James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes (War Machine)
The Falcon & the Winter Soldier holds a delightful cameo from Rhodey, but I would’ve liked to have seen more of him. Now that Iron Man is gone, I hope that War Machine is not forgotten, and I hope he appears in future content.
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The Falcon & the Winter Solider – New Characters
John Walker (Captain America / U.S. Agent)
I don’t know how much the series wanted me to feel this way, but I felt sorry for John Walker. He is asked by his country to accept a gigantic honour, and one that he’s earned through military achievement; then he gets no help from the men with the most experience, Sam and Bucky, whilst clearly underestimated how hard it would be to live up to his predecessor. John was always going to fail, so when the show made him a little arrogant, and rude too in a few exchanges, I thought it was overkill – when he finally cracked, and resists our naive heroes bringing him in, it took away from the moment a little bit. But holy heck, watching that shield become a murderous weapon was a huge slap to the face to nerds everywhere, and I felt the full impact – there’s a moment to never forget. But after everything is taken away from John, he doesn’t rest on his laurels, but makes his own shield, to have a second chance at being the hero he wants to be. Who knows what Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has in store for the U.S. Agent, but I walk away from this series thinking he will prove a lot of fun to have around.
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Karli Morgenthau & the Flag-Smashers
Okay, so when the Snap happened, millions of homes were opened up because nobody was living in them. That meant that the poor and unfortunate could be housed around the world, travelling, and contributing to their new countries – brilliant. So when Thanos was defeated, and everyone who blipped returned, the poor and unfortunate were displaced again, and the countries governments, understandably, had no immediate answer to the problem. This is clear refugee story, there’s no avoiding it, and whilst it makes sense for Karli to be white in the context of the story, it feels like a massive opportunity missed to not cast an actress of a nationality that we most closely associate with home-soil turmoil, to drive the message home – that’s what I would have done anyway. For the Flagsmashers and their followers to not have a home is clearly a big issue, and requires infrastructure and resources that these countries most likely can’t accommodate overnight. Karli starts out with good cause, and Sam has the awareness to be sympathetic, but her frustrations boil over to the point where she is a terrorist. She’s a pretty good antagonist for a while, but a disappointing villain.
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Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Well, just who is Julia Louis-Dreyfus playing in the MCU? This is exciting. Like a common gutter-trash DC fan (kidding!), I first saw Val at the end of Black Widow, and was left in the cold. But, although she appears in The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, not much more is known about her anyway. It seems like she is going to be similar in knowledge to Nick Fury, and has decided through hubris, to make her own Avengers-style team. I remember when Lex Luthor said at the end of Joss Whedon’s Justice League that Deathstroke and he should create a league of their own and I groaned, but this attempt in Marvel’s lane has a bit more spice to it, as I already like the U.S. Agent, and I love Yelena Belova.
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Isiah Bradley
I had to read up on Isiah Bradley to make sense of his situation, after the fact. It seems, the U.S. government cracked the super-soldier serum formula again during the Korean war (the 1950s) and experimented successfully on Isiah Bradley. He wouldn’t follow orders, so they imprisoned him, and destroyed any evidence of his alteration. Okay, I thought at first, that they were saying that he was an experimental case before Steve Rogers, and I thought that unnecessarily corrupted Abraham Erskine’s research and the success that came with Captain America. But no, Isiah came after, and I feel like I’ve heard plenty of true black historical stories that had once been suppressed, that I can believe this fictional tragedy too. Isiah works as the example of how black people have always had to fit into a white American narrative, staring Sam Wilson in the face. This series, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, wants to consolidate the task ahead of Sam Wilson, embracing the role as Captain America, and the racist history of the past – I hope it resonates with people, at least for the attempt, despite this being a fictional universe. I don’t like so many superpowered beings out there on the streets because it takes away from how uniquely special Steve Rogers was – like, having the Flagsmashers as mini super-soldiers was annoying to me. But if I’m to understand Isiah’s history and purpose within the show correctly, I cannot stand by any objections.
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Lemar Hoskins (Battlestar)
Gosh, I feel bad for Battlestar. The actor doesn’t even get his own acting credit as a main contributor to the series for starters, which makes me think he’s heroism is already being forgotten. Lemar’s Battlestar is the Falcon to John Walker’s Captain America, and he only wanted the best for everyone. He died unnecessarily when a conflict arose with the Flagsmashers.
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Sarah Wilson
As Sam Wilson’s sister, Sarah works as the heart of the show. It’s great to get some backstory on Sam Wilson before his name is up in lights as Captain America.
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Ayo
I suppose these Wakandan soldiers can appear anywhere, and Ayo adds depth to Bucky’s past. Although, her people seem a little out of place in a story reflecting real world politics and refugees.
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Joaquin Torres
Is he a Falcon ally in the comics? Welcome to the team.
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Georges Batroc (The Leaper)
Is he a Falcon villain in the comics? Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame… (Oh, but I forgot this fool was also in Captain America: The Winter Soldier 🥴 He’s in the wrong list!)
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Since this post is already way too long, I will post Part 2 in a couple of days, discussing characters from Loki and Hawkeye ✌
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