WandaVision, currently streaming on Disney+, has switched its speed and is now pulling out all stops. The opening three episodes of WandaVision season 1 followed the residents of Westview as their sitcom-Esque lives played out through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, but episode 4 takes a very different approach. Beginning with the moment Monica and billions of others return to life after Thanos’ devastating snap (or “the Blip” as Marvel still insists on calling it), WandaVision’s most recent installment does a rerun of previous episodes, but from the perspective of SWORD, Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo.
The latest episode of WandaVision concludes with Monica Rambeau’s “It’s all Wanda” line. We’re here to tell you what it means. We see Jimmy and Monica investigating the Westview incident, only to find that the entire town is a ghost and doesn’t seem to even exist. A strange energy field seems to envelopes the perimeter, and Monica is then accidentally sucked through the force field, leading SWORD to send a full complement of scientists and military personnel to investigate the so-called “Westview anomaly.” It’s Dr. Darcy Lewis who figures out Westview is broadcasting an old-school sitcom, and she watches eagerly as Monica attempts to get through to Wanda by mentioning Ultron, before promptly being thrown back outside.
The ending though, of episode 3 and episode 4 is the same with Monica lying almost unconscious on the grounds of SWORD’s temporary field base. But unlike episode 3, this time Monica has something to say. With the gravest of expressions, the SWORD agent utters “it’s all Wanda” before the final credits roll. The most likely interpretation of Monica’s “it’s all Wanda” line is that Ms. Rambeau believes Scarlet Witch responsible for everything going on – the disappearances, the energy barrier, the weird sitcom, all of it. The source of the Westview reality has been a keen topic of debate since WandaVision’s premiere, and the past 3 episodes dropped plenty of clues that Wanda herself is in control.
The events of the sitcom revolve entirely around her, she can rewind time as and when Vision becomes suspicious of the reality and the town, and characters are removed from the fabrication on Wanda’s command. Now looking back on Monica’s scenes with the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy to see why she believes Wanda is the one in control. At Dottie’s poolside meeting, Monica would’ve seen that Wanda was cast in the archetypal “lead role,” while her talent show magic act with Vision raised Monica’s suspicions further. The baffled SWORD agent actually asks Wanda how she performed the teleportation while taking a bow.
After Wanda’s pregnancy causes fluctuations in Westview, Monica knows exactly where to investigate, turning up at Wanda’s house unannounced and blaming a burst pipe, despite having no house of her own. The pregnancy’s wild effects on the set (spinning pictures, roaring fire, etc.) provide Monica with more evidence that Westview is built around Wanda, but the real clincher is her ejection. WandaVision episode 3 didn’t show the moment Wanda threw Monica outside the barrier, only the aftermath. Fortunately, episode 4 fills in the gaps. Wanda accuses Monica of being an “outsider” before announcing “I want you out” and violently expelling her.
The source of Westview has been WandaVision’s most pressing mystery, and Monica’s “it’s all Wanda” line seems to confirm that the entire reality is solely fabricated by Wanda. BUt Monida doesn’t have to be particularly all correct. WandaVision hasn’t been entirely clear on whether “Geraldine” knew she was Monica while part of the sitcom, or whether the mention of Pietro prompted her memories of reality to return. Blaming Wanda might be Monica’s gut reaction after witnessing the Avenger’s manipulation of reality first-hand, but the SWORD agent could be overlooking a few key details.
WandaVision is still hinting towards the presence of both – Agatha Harkness and Mephisto – two characters with the magical potential to craft Westview’s alternate reality. Monica probably wouldn’t recognize their presence and maybe mistakenly blaming Wanda when there are other super-powered beings involved. On the other hand, being absorbed into the sitcom and playing a character in Wanda’s world might give Monica insight into the sitcom’s inner workings. On the other hand, being absorbed into the sitcom and playing a character in Wanda’s world might give Monica insight into the sitcom’s inner workings.
The return of Monica, and her insistence that Wanda is responsible, could change that. Until now, SWORD’s directive has been to investigate and observe – only sending drones and a red-shirt in an Haz-Mat suit through the barrier. With Monica informing her employers that Wanda Maximoff is the root cause of the problem, however, SWORD’s tactics could now become more aggressive, shifting gear from reconnaissance to attack. Wanda’s history in The Avengers might earn her a little goodwill, but if Monica is to be believed, Scarlet Witch is holding an entire town ransom and warping reality, and that’s not going to fly – especially in a world still sensitive to otherworldly threats. With SWORD sitting back and waiting for The Avengers to handle things, it was hardly worth the re-brand from SHIELD.
One of the big questions still remaining is why Westview is trapped in an old American sitcom. Why not simply create a utopian paradise without the corny gags and canned laughter? This is one of many anomalies that suggest Wanda isn’t responsible for an alternate reality. “It’s all Wanda” sounds suspiciously like a classic sitcom slogan in the mold of “did I do that?” and “wha’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” As for why the true villain of WandaVision would want to paint Scarlet Witch as a baddie remains to be seen, but considering the limitless potential of Olsen’s superhero, it’s only a matter of time before another sorcerer covets her powers for themselves.
