WandaVision finale review: predictions, Agatha and VisionQuest

The WandaVision series finale, Episode 9, came out on March 5, 2021. It didn't tie everything up in a pretty little bow, and we expected that, because the episode was built as a bridge into the wider MCU. Even so, it gave us plenty to look forward to. WandaVision (2021) starred Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and the finale ran 49 minutes and 38 seconds. With a long credit sequence, maybe six or seven minutes of that disappear, but it still seemed like the longest episode.

Before the WandaVision finale, the hope was closure for Wanda

Going in, the hope was that the show would tie things up so we got some closure. The other side of that thought was that wanting it doesn't mean the story would go that way, or that it would serve the story. We knew the series would be connected to the rest of the MCU and to Doctor Strange 2, so it was probably a setup for Wanda as the Scarlet Witch, with more to come there.

The wish list was long. Since Agatha had called her the Scarlet Witch, the hope was that Wanda might manifest herself into the costume, like the vision she saw when she almost touched the Mind Stone at the Hydra headquarters. There was curiosity about whether Agatha might take Wanda under her wing, since Wanda's magic maybe needed mentoring. Vision, White Vision, the Pietro that Agatha had nicknamed Fietro, Monica, Darcy and Jimmy all needed wrapping up.

Hayward was disliked in the discussion. The thought was that if he survived the finale, which seemed likely, he could become part of a future big bad, though not the main villain.

Our cameo prediction for WandaVision was Doctor Strange

When it came to a single cameo, the pick was Doctor Strange. The reasoning was that the show had been said to lead right into Multiverse of Madness, and it had already brought up the Nexus and multiple universes, which is where Agatha got Fietro. A Reed Richards or Magneto appearance seemed way too early; at best, maybe a mention.

One dream scenario was a team up of Wanda, Vision, the kids, Agatha, Monica, Quicksilver and maybe Darcy, ending with Vision fusing with White Vision and being resurrected. That was described as a very Disney princess style happy ending that didn't seem likely, because the show had gotten sadder every episode.

Wanda versus Agatha had a Wizard of Oz moment, but no mentor turn

The fights were described as fantastic. A highlight of the witch fight between Wanda and Agatha was a car being thrown after the line that magic couldn't be used against her, followed by a pan down to the shoes for a full Wizard of Oz moment. There was one small nitpick: when White Vision grabbed Wanda, it felt like she would have used her power to protect herself, maybe holding back from shock or because she thought he was still her Vision.

We were both waiting for Agatha to offer to teach Wanda, and it didn't happen. Wanda's final move, writing runes on the Hex while feeding Agatha power, was a surprise that was loved, and so was Agatha's shock. The hope was that Agatha would show more signs of good, a more sympathetic reason for taking power. She was left as the nosy neighbor, but she could still be set up for later, and there was a belief she would appear in Doctor Strange, since she said Wanda was more powerful than the Sorcerer Supreme. Kathryn Hahn did such a great job that more of her was wanted.

Most of our WandaVision theories didn't land, and that was fine

There was no Mephisto, no Doctor Strange appearance, and no mention of Reed Richards, Doctor Doom or the Fantastic Four. One theory that came true was shouting at the screen for Quicksilver to show up as Evan Peters. The view was that there is a line between fun head canon and the story Kevin Feige and the team already know they are telling.

Another theory that turned out right was that Monica's friend was a Skrull. The Skrull said an old friend of her mom's wanted to see her, which was probably Nick Fury, but we didn't know.

The Scarlet Witch costume sat between hero and villain

Seeing Wanda in her full Scarlet Witch outfit was the big wish fulfilled. The design was updated from the traditional look but still looked cool, dark rather than evil, the midway point between a hero costume and a villain costume. That suggested Marvel wasn't revealing which direction she would go.

The end credits scene raised questions. Wanda was seen at a cabin drinking tea while another version of her studied the Darkhold, looking a little crazed. The question was whether she created an astral projection living a normal life, maybe so she had time to react if anyone came looking. What little we knew about the Darkhold came from an online search, which showed it appeared in Agents of SHIELD, and from what was remembered of that, it was described as a book that helps you create anything you want, but one that is corruptible.

Wanda's goodbye to Vision was gentler than we expected

We had a feeling Wanda would have to say goodbye to Vision, but the thought was that maybe it would be forced on her and she would fully break down. Instead, dropping the Hex was consciously her choice, and the delivery was gentler. That was liked because it was so emotional, and Paul Bettany's speech as Vision was called beautiful.

White Vision, Monica's powers and the Mind Stone question were left open

The fight between the two Visions moved from physical combat to a scholarly debate about the Ship of Theseus, which was loved. White Vision got the memories, but the assumption was that he had none of the emotions, since he lacks the Mind Stone, and the guess was that he was now free of any S.W.O.R.D. control. It might be a while before we saw him again.

Monica's eyes turned yellow, blue and purple. The theory was that she can manipulate different kinds of energy, kinetic from bullets and magical from Agatha, probably explored more in Captain Marvel 2. The finale set up Wanda, Monica and probably White Vision. There was some disappointment that Ralph was not the Fox Quicksilver, but seeing Evan Peters in one more episode was enjoyed.

It may not have been the perfect finale, but the closing verdict of our discussion was clear: "i love this show so so so much."