Oh Please, Don’t let it end.
Marvel’s WandaVision has blown all expectation out of the water thus far, and even with just two episodes left, there is still so much more in store.
Episode 7, titled ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’, unveils one of the series’ most shocking twists, uncovering the true identity of Kathryn Hahn’s nosy neighbour, Agnes.
As Wanda becomes increasingly confused with the world around her falling rapidly apart, she stumbles upon a rather suspicious lair in the basement of Agnes’ home.
She is searching for her children, only to be greeted by Agnes, who reveals herself to be Agatha Harkness.
Crucially, Agatha is also a witch; but her sinister ploy, detailed in a brief credit sequence titled ‘Agatha All Along’, suggests there’s a much bigger plan afoot.
Agatha was responsible for puppeteering Pietro, and for killing Sparky, though we expect she is not alone in her mischievous meddling.
Meanwhile, an estranged Vision attempts to re-unite himself with Wanda, assisted by Darcy.
So as WandaVision prepares to unveil its penultimate episode on Friday, let’s examine what Marvel might still have up their sleeve:
Agatha
The witch has arrived late to the party with only two episodes left, but her story is far from over. The true extent to her powers will begin to unfold in episode eight, and she could well be more than a match for Wanda.
But crucially, there may be an accomplice at play, and that’s where we could see Mephisto – long teased as the chief villain of the story – make his debut.
Whether operating alone or not, Agatha clearly has some hidden agenda. Why is she tormenting Wanda? Why has she brought back Pietro? There’s so much more still to unfold in Agatha’s journey.
The ‘Skywalker’ cameo
If all is to be believed, there’s still a major cameo – compared to that of Luke Skywalker’s appearance in The Mandalorian – to come.
We’ve already seen Evan Peters version of Quicksilver from the X-Men franchise rock up, which caused some shock. Yet this next cameo will make a much bigger splash.
Marvel fans have been fiercely debating their identity, and among the favourites to appear are Magneto and Reed Richards.
Monica Rambeau’s earlier reference to an aerospace engineer fuelled the talk of the Fantastic Four’s Richards making some kind of appearance.
However, what if the cameo itself was ‘Skywalker’ worthy not because of the comic book character, but instead the Hollywood name behind it?
Marvel newbie Al Pacino as Mephisto could fit that bill; or perhaps it’s an MCU debut for a familiar face, such as Ian McKellen’s Magneto.
Hayward and S.W.O.R.D.
We can be safely assured that S.WO.R.D. will reign long into Phase Four, replacing S.H.I.E.L.D. as the chief organisation of the next Marvel phase.
There are already ties to S.W.O.R.D. in Captain Marvel, and the upcoming Secret Invasion series on Disney+.
As for S.W.O.R.D director Tyler Hayward, his future is unknown. Much like Agatha, he too is playing a rather manipulative game behind the scenes, and it centres on Vision.
As revealed by Darcy’s insight into Project Cataract, Hayward plans to rebuild Vision for use as a sentient weapon. The flaw in his plan though was that he could not revive Vision.
However, now that Wanda has seized control of Vision’s body, Hayward’s plan has been set in motion, and all he needs to do now is gain access to his new plaything.
Various theories as to Hayward’s true identity have already done the rounds, from painting him as Mephisto or even a Skrull. Can’t he just be a human willing to do everything in his power to protect the Earth?
Episode run-time
The first seven episodes have run for just over half an hour each, though we expect to see Marvel shake up the release pattern here.
Like I’ve said, there’s so much ground still to cover in only two episodes. We keep getting answers, or even hints at answers, but what normally follows is more questions.
That’s no bad thing, but I’d be surprised if WandaVision can navigate them all within just two half hour episodes.
It’s been an enthralling ride so far; though I wouldn’t begrudge a change of course to make either or both of episodes eight and nine push closer to the hour mark.
Murmurs in the Marvel camp suggest that episode eight will be 47 minutes.
Perhaps in doing so it could align itself more closely to an Avengers: Infinity War-Avengers: Endgame two-part finale.
The Future
Even if WandaVision ends here, there are already many strands diverting the attention towards future Marvel projects.
The main continuation of the narrative will be in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which will see Wanda team up with the Sorcerer Supreme. The events of WandaVision will have created havoc across the MCU timeline, and who better to fix it than Doctor Strange?
Meanwhile, even if just a puppet, if Evan Peters can waltz from one universe to another, then who knows how many others now can. For Spider-Man 3, there’s the prospect of multiple heroes and multiple villains from earlier Spider-Man franchises.
The emergence of the multiverse could also offer ways for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Ant-Man: Quantumania to go about certain characters.
Perhaps Jane Foster is already Lady Thor in another universe? It would also explain how Shang-Chi and Iron Man 3 could feature different versions of the Mandarin.
Plus, if Reed Richards does indeed surface, then it sets up the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
Lastly, with Monica Rambeau (plus her future as Photon) and the nods to mother Maria, and Carol Danvers, there’s obvious ties to Captain Marvel 2.
There’s no real limit to the devastation that could still unfold in WandaVision, and in the future of the MCU.
Obviously, the fate of Vision is another intriguing concept; one that will have to be discussed at some point within the next two episodes. Is he dead? Is he alive?
Or, is there that possibility that WandaVision will reserve at least one secret for a later date?
Let’s hope not, because I’m not sure I’d handle the wait.