REVIEW: WandaVision, Season 1 Episode Seven 'Breaking The Fourth Wall'

 REVIEW: WandaVision, Season 1 Episode Seven 'Breaking The Fourth Wall'

Originally published in 2020, here are my thoughts on WandaVision's seventh episode 'Breaking The Fourth Wall'.

This episode brings us up to date, with Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) now giving us her take on a modern sitcom. This version of WandaVision feels like a combination of Modern Family and The Office, with - as the title suggests - lots of the typical fourth wall breaking that you would expect of this mockumentary style.

As with the other sitcom episodes, it's just so funny too. The comedy really lands, with so many moments that make you laugh out loud. One of my personal favourite gags from Modern Day WandaVision was the glitchy magic with the kids' game controllers. Seeingtey their controllers going from the modern PlayStation-style to the N64, and then to the Atari joystick, before landing on a pack of UNO playing cards just really made me chuckle.

As did the hilarity of Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Vision (Paul Bettany) stealing the cake van as the circus boss chases after them, and Wanda then attempting to slow the pair's progress by magicking up obstacles on the open road. She really thinks of everything, does Wanda, from traffic lights to construction work to kids trying to cross, and I totally understand Vision's frustrations. I'm not surprised that Vision's 'I'm not amused' has become so heavily memed in the past week, because it's just so amusing to see this character get so peeved off.

The stand-out star for this episode is easily Katheryn Hahn as Agnes. She is so delightfully batty (her comment about how she once bit a kid is just hilariously deranged) and has so much screen presence in every scene that she's in. She reminds me a little of Missy from Doctor Who, in that she has this bonkers energy that is ever so slightly unnerving. You feel this sense that she could turn at any moment, and become the most dangerous person in the room. Her theme song that gives us the reveal of her real identity definitely seems like her answer to 'Hey Missy, You're So Fine'. I can't believe what she did to the poor dog!

There's this really unsettling moment also where suddenly Wanda hears the voice of the interviewer supposedly asking the questions in this 'mockumentary' format. As Wanda herself notes, the interviewer is not supposed to speak. It brings so many questions to mind, and I cannot wait to find out who this mystery narrator is. Does it have some connection to Agnes's 'husband' Ralph that Agnes keeps referring to throughout the series? (NB: Later it turns out that it in fact doesn't have any connection to 'Ralph' at all). Perhaps the Mephisto theories are true? (NB: They're not).

This is also a great episode for Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), who it appears could be in need of a special costume, if you catch my drift. Something has definitely happened to her upon reentering the hex, and it will be interesting to see where it takes her. I've seen some pictures of her comic-book Photon costume, which looks particularly colourful, and it will be interesting to see if they adapt that for her comics costume. One thing I'm sure of though is that wherever Monica goes next, it won't be in her own sitcom riff on Modern Family.

Overall, 'Breaking The Fourth Wall' is an excellent Modern Family-style twist on WandaVision's sitcom twist. It effortlessly recreates the modern sitcom vibe, aping popular shows such as The Office and Miranda in its portrayal. The sinister sequences also continue with a curious off-screen narrator, and the outstanding 'Agatha All Along' title sequence. This episode has left me waiting anxiously to see how this series concludes over the next two episodes. After all, a special show requires a special sort of third act.

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