VisionQuest Episodes 1 and 2 Reaction: James Spader's Ultron Steals the Show

VisionQuest is off to a really good start in my opinion, and James Spader is stealing the show as Ultron. Watching episode one, I was never bored. I was always locked in.

I went in more excited than I had been before, and the reason is Terry Matalas. I dug WandaVision a lot and enjoyed Agatha, but I recently binged 12 Monkeys the series after my brother kept recommending it, and I came away thinking this guy really enjoys what he does. That gave me even more reason to get excited.

A smart setup for Vision's new life

I like that they didn't set it up the same way WandaVision did. They show you Vision's life and where he is, and then the real home he goes to when he shuts off, which is very matrixy. He's got a full little team made up of the Stark AI, which is a good way to do it. Having the Matrix world plus the real world storyline makes the setup phenomenal so far. The cinema scenes work too: he already knows those memories, but he's trying to connect to the emotional side of them, and maybe that's what it's going to take with his son.

Spader's Ultron and the 12 Monkeys crew

Spader was absolutely the scene stealer in every single thing. I love this version of Ultron, "the old kind of bitter, sarcastic old man" who is always plotting. Paul Bettany is doing a great job too, and you get this warped father son relationship between the two of them, with Ultron giving him advice.

Matalas also brought in the 12 Monkeys crew, and I'm so glad I watched that show first. I thought Todd Stashwick was awesome as the villain, and I think he's going to be continued, though he's clearly working for somebody else. I like the bounty hunter angle, and Paladin is no joke.

The losses that stung

I really didn't like that they took out the lady from the pub, especially since they did such a good job of making her so likable. I also hate that we lost Jarvis. I get it, and I see why they did it. Jarvis was kind of the voice of reason, so I think Ultron will probably step up into more of that role now, or at least try to.

Tommy and the big questions ahead

I liked getting Tommy's story in episode two, seeing that he's been on the run for a year. Vision has his predecessor's memories but not the emotional attachment, and I think that's the reason for this reunion with Tommy. I guess Agatha is important to watch to understand what happened to the other kid, too.

Eventually we'll find out who hired Paladin, and I don't know who it could be. Will it tie into the greater MCU story, or stay closer to WandaVision and Agatha? It's possible. Either way, great start, and I'm loving the cast and the dynamic with everybody so far.

Where are you at with VisionQuest episodes one and two?