10 Reasons Why You Should Watch WandaVision

In the age of staying home and streaming in lieu of going out, services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are vying for attention, meaning many of the shows coming out on streaming services in the last few years have been of a higher caliber. The adoption of Game of Thrones into mainstream culture started what some like to call the popularization of nerd culture.

Now, any casual watcher can enjoy fantasy-rich franchises like The Mandalorian, and now, WandaVision. Whether you’re a life-long nerd, or someone just looking to check out the latest pop-culture phenomenon, here are ten reasons anyone would enjoy Disney’s WandaVision. Small spoilers ahead.

10. A Nod to Queer Representation

A not-so-well-kept secret is that Wanda (played by Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (played by Paul Bettany) are soon-to-be parents. The show follows their 1950’s-style domestication, and in Episode Three, Wanda gives birth to twins. Readers of the comics will know that twins Billy and Tommy will grow up to be young Avengers, Wiccan, and Speed. Wiccan, one of Marvel’s few queer superheroes, recently married his longtime partner, Hulkling, in last fall’s big crossover event titled Empyer.

9. Classic Sitcom References

WandaVision is full of that campy sitcom humor like that of I Love Lucy and Bewitched. Viewers will notice quickly that much of the show is in black and white, and includes its own cheesy theme song. Some of the show’s effects are even stylized to look the way special effects would have been done in that time period. The third episode, which just aired on January 22, propels viewers into the 1970s, and many of the episode’s plot points are pulled from T.V. references, such as her accelerated pregnancy and inopportune labor.

8. The Commercials

WandaVision is far from the first show to include its own parody ads. Advertising things like modern toasters and men’s watches, these nods to an older time offer a humous reprise from the show’s twisting mystery. Viewers will notice there’s something off about these Stepford Wife-esque adverts, as if they’re a clue to something more nefarious in the show.

7. Commentary on Women and Domestic Life

Throughout the series as a whole, WandaVision depicts what life was like for women during the 50s and early 60s—often referred to as “the cult of domesticity.” Women in the show are depicted as housewives, forced to partake in the neighborhood gossip, competing with other housewives for popularity and reputation. The series makes sure to highlight how unflattering the role truly was.

6. Use of Black and White Cinematography

Similar to The Wizard of Oz, WandaVision uses both black and white and color to set the tone of certain scenes. Whether it’s to highlight certain, important images or to provide contrast, the show’s use of black and white is an interesting and fascinating strategy that also helps let viewers know something isn’t quite right in this perfect little town.

5. The Mystery

No one knows quite what is happening in WandaVision just yet, and for some viewers, that’s part of the appeal. There are many questions regarding even the basics of the show’s plot, such as Vision’s role. Vision, in cannon, actually died during the Avengers Infinity Wars, when his partner Wanda was forced to remove and destroy the infinity stone from his forehead, which gives him life. There are plenty of fan theories about what is actually happening in WandaVision, whether it be a simulation or a hallucination cooked up by a grieving Wanda herself.

4. An All-Star Cast

A large part of the show’s compelling appeal comes from its cast of veteran actors who breathe fresh life into their characters. Joining stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany is a strong supporting cast, including Debra Jo Rupp (Ti), Kat Denning (2 Broke Girls), Fred Melamed (Lady Dynamite), and the absolutely phenomenal Kathryn Hahn. And just like The Mandalorian, WandaVision is scheduled to have numerous surprise cameos.

3. For the Lols

WandaVision has a multitude of humorous moments that help offset the somewhat unnerving mystery. Spoofing on old sitcoms and suburban life are both cornerstones to the show’s comedic relief, but leading the show’s comedic charge is Kathryn Hahn, who plays Wanda and Vision’s next-door neighbor. Each and every line she delivers is flawless, perfect, and hysterical. There are numerous, laugh-out-loud moments during the first two episodes thanks to Hahn, and some of the humor is even a little more “mature” than one would expect from Disney.

2. A Blockbuster Show

Disney pulled out all the stops for WandaVision. The great cast, the excellent cinematography, the flawless costuming, and an intricate storyline—it’s all proof that Disney has created WandaVision to be a premium experience. In fact, NBC has even called the show “prestige TV.” It’s clear that Disney+ plans to take on networks like HBO in creating high-budget epics that are sure to get noticed at the Golden Globes and Emmys.

1. Visually Stunning

In line with the last point, WandaVision‘s big-budget helped to create a visual masterpiece. For audiences who don’t know (or care) about Marvel, there’s still lots to watch in WandaVison. It’s an overall masterpiece that’s captivating and exciting. The show has a natural way of drawing the audience in. Even if someone doesn’t quite get what’s going on at first … it compels the viewer to keep watching. It grabs the eye and keeps it.