REVIEW: ‘WandaVision,’ Episode 9 – “The Series Finale”

WandaVision Episode 9 pulls out all the stops and brings in all the players as the series reaches its conclusion, appropriately titled “The Series Finale.” Following the conclusion of “Previously On…” Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) faces off against Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) while dealing with the fallout from the reality she created in Westview. Meanwhile, Vision (Paul Bettany) comes face to face with himself-literally-and Monica (Teyonah Parris) confronts the fake Pietro (Evan Peters).

Series creator/showrunner Jac Schaffer returns to pen the final episode, which features a massive action sequence that would feel right at home in one of Marvel Studios’ big screen offerings. However, Schaffer particularly excels with the emotional sequences-especially the ending. I had a feeling that Wanda and Vision would have a tearful goodbye and I was right; however, I wasn’t prepared for just how heartwrenching the ending would be. A large part of this is due to Olsen and Bettany, who bring Schaffer’s words to life via their performances. WandaVision has first and foremost been a love story, and it’s fitting that one of the climactic scenes features a farewell between lovers.

Schaffer also puts her own spin on another recurring trope from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: the hero facing off against an antagonist who has similar powers to them. Ant-Man fought Yellowjacket and both could shrink. Iron Man faced multiple armored opponents. Yet while both Agatha and Wanda have magic-based powers, and both Visions are superpowered machines, the differences are rather stark. Agatha’s magic destroys, while Wanda’s creates. Similarly, the White Vision is cold and emotionless, while the regular Vision has grown in his humanity. Again I have to bring up Bettany’s performance, as he effortlessly switches between warm and human to a cold, unfeeling machine. It takes talent to pull off two different versions of what is essentially the same character, and Bettany nails it.

Director Matt Shakman proves to handle superheroic action just as much as sitcom tropes. He stages an aerial fight sequence between both Visions, as well as a magic fight between Wanda and Agatha that crosses throughout all of Westview-and even the past. Monica and the Maximoff twins even get in on the action, with Monica’s powers fully coming into definition. Comics readers should enjoy the sequences, particularly as it inches Monica further to her heroic destiny as Spectrum. Monica is also set to potentially play a larger role in another Marvel television series as well as Captain Marvel 2 after this episode, and given how Parris has been one of this series’ strongest actors this is nothing but a plus.

If the episode has one flaw, it’s that a few plot threads are left dangling. In Marvel Studios tradition, the episode features a pair of post-credit scenes, though both end rather abruptly. I know that Schaffer and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige have said that WandaVision‘s aftermath will spin off into Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, yet I feel both scenes could have had a bit more impact. Similarly, the fate of a character is left up in the air – especially after said character undergoes an existential revelation.

WandaVision Episode 9 brings the series full circle and delivers a finale that’s both action-packed and emotional in equal measure, though it leaves a few plot threads dangling. It also serves as proof that Marvel Studios can deliver a great narrative on the small screen as well as the big, and with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier slated to debut in two weeks, I hope they keep up the momentum.

Season 1 of WandaVision is currently available to stream on Disney+.