REVIEW: WandaVision, Season 1 Episode Six 'All New Halloween Spooktacular!'

 REVIEW: WandaVision, Season 1 Episode Six 'All New Halloween Spooktacular!'

Originally published in February 2021, here are my thoughts on WandaVision's sixth episode 'All New Halloween Spooktacular!'.

The previous episode of WandaVision provided us with a moment that was likely to change the MCU forever. For much to the surprise of many, Evan Peters' Pietro - from the X Men series of films (NB: Later it was revealed that he was not, in fact, the X Men Quicksilver but a random man called Ralph Bohner) - showed up at Wanda's door. It's an episode that left us waiting with baited anticipation for the series' sixth episode, entitled 'All New Halloween Spooktacular!', to see more of this promising multiversal crossover with Fox's X Men movies. 

This episode is much more dramatic than the other instalments, as Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) starts to lose her control over what transpires within the hex. The sitcom jokes are not totally gone of course, as there are still some very funny moments (my favourite being Wanda's new family members in the sitcom world stealing all the sweets, smashing the pumpkins and spraying silly string during the trick or treat outings occurring in Westview), but it largely takes a back seat to the more plot-driven material.

The image of Vision (Paul Bettany) being torn apart as he tries to leave the hex is really quite shocking to see, as this show has done a really good job at endearing us more to the android. I liked Vision before WandaVision, but I don't think it would be a controversial opinion to say that this series has done wonders for his character, and Paul Bettany has provided his best acting material within the MCU here. The series has given considerably more depth to the character, who previously in the MCU had taken more of a backseat to the other characters within the Avengers team, and it's a neat display of what a television series can do which the films simply don't have the time for. There's simply more time here to explore the characters in greater detail, and show us what motivates them on a personal level.

I'm really starting to hate SWORD director Hayward (Josh Stamberg) now. The way he refused to let Darcy (Kat Dennings) help Vision, and his disgusting treatment of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) for me easily makes him one of the least likeable characters within the whole MCU. He's like the Anti-Coulson, you just love to hate him and you're constantly wishing for his demise. I'd be more than happy to see Hayward stabbed in the stomach by Loki's sceptre.

There's a wonderfully creepy moment too when Vision visits the area on the far end of Westview, and they're all just stood motionless, doing nothing. It has shades of The Day The World Stood Still, and raises further questions as to why they are frozen in spot. What did they do to prompt Wanda to render them motionless?

The advert for Yo-Magic has to be the most creative in this series so far. I love the animation style; it's so distinctly different to anything else in this show, and adds to the overall weirdness on display. The Yo-Magic advert reminded me of the works of Aardman Animation, who have done wonders with their stop motion work with the likes of Wallace And Gromit and Chicken Run. In particular there is an animated short they released called Stage Fright which features a very similar style to the Yo-Magic advert:

Pietro makes a further appearance after his debut in the previous episode, and he is a lot of fun here, as we get to see more of his character glimpsed at the end of the previous episode; his mischievous presence constantly dominates the screen, and dare I say it but I think he's possibly the best version of this character. He has more personality for sure than the other version we were introduced to back in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, and I hope we get see more of him in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The attention to detail in this series remains outstanding. It's the little things that stand out for me in this episode's ode to the 90s, the way the intro is the kids recording on an old camcorder, and they recreate the HUD of a camcorder from that period, for instance, or the way that the instrumental music has a very distinct style that separates it from the other sitcom episodes. Not to mention that the kids lead the episode, when the previous episodes were all led by Wanda and Vision, which is a cool artistic choice indeed, what with 90s television being known for the edgy and unruly child characters who are 'too cool for school'.

Overall, 'All New Halloween Spooktacular!' is another excellent addition to the WandaVision series. It ramps up the dramatic tension nicely, and provides us with some truly disturbing Twilight Zone-esque moments that hint at what is really going on at the heart of Westview. It also gives us a further glimpse at the arrival of Evan Peters' Pietro, showcasing a version of the character full of more heart and wit than Aaron Taylor-Johnson's portrayal in Avengers: Age Of Ultron. It's an episode that offers some real depth and emotional resonance regarding our lead characters, and it will be interesting for sure to see where the series goes next.

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What are your thoughts on WandaVision's sixth episode? Let me know in the comments.