The fourth episode of WandaVision has completely changed the direction of the wind. The eccentric sitcom is turning more mysterious and darker as we move ahead. Every episode makes a new revelation and, at the same time, twists the plot even further. In a way, we can say that we have come a long way from the grey clouds of episode 1, but we also find ourselves with more complicated questions. The latest episode on the Disney+ series showed us what’s happening in the real MCU outside Westview.
We are officially introduced to SWORD, an organization from the comic books that’s making its debut on screen. Familiar characters from the MCU movies, Darcy, Jimmy Woo, and Monica Rambeau appeared who are also trying to unravel the mystery of Westview like us. In fact, SWORD is also in the dark like the fans and is watching WandaVision in the form of a sitcom. MCU has transcended to a whole new level of twists and mysteries in this phase. Let us find out the WandaVision Easter eggs and references in episode 4.
Snap Revisited
“WandaVision” has finally acknowledged the events of the real MCU out there and how it connects to the show. Episode 4 started with Monica’s body being restored after Hulk’s snap in “Avengers: Endgame”. She was a victim of Thanos’ snap but when she returned from the five-year blip, she learnt that her mother, Maria Rambeau, passed away in those years. This series has addressed the serious consequences of the snap and the blip that always lingered in our minds.
Jimmy Woo’s Return
It was a pleasant surprise to meet a familiar face in WandaVision episode 4. The FBI agent who called SWORD about the missing persons case turned out to be Jimmy Woo from “Ant-Man” franchise. In his MCU debut, Jimmy Woo was tasked to watch Scott Lang during his house arrest. But now he is working on a bigger mystery- a case of missing persons that soon turned into a case of a missing town.
Westview Location
Monica Rambeau’s first mission after the blip is visiting a town for a missing persons case. That’s when we learn that even SWORD is clueless about the happenings of the WandaVision sitcom. As Monica reaches there and meets Agent Woo and some sheriff, she is told that this case came up three weeks after people returned from the snap. As it turns out, not just few people but the whole town of Westview is said to be missing. In fact, there are no records of Westview ever existing in New Jersey. So, this leads to two questions- did Westview ever exist or has its existence been wiped off people’s memories? It is also worth noticing that Westview is located in New Jersey. Comic book fans must already know that Wanda and Vision settled down in the state of New Jersey to start a family. And it cannot be a coincidence that the upcoming Disney+ show on Ms. Marvel will be set in New Jersey.
Jimmy Woo’s Magic Trick
Westview is not the only place where magic is taking place. Jimmy Woo is probably the most agreeable and amicable FBI agent on the screen. As he introduces himself to Monica, Agent Woo can’t help but brag his new magic tricks. It would be unfair to not acknowledge his card trick which he must have learnt in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” during Scott Lang’s house arrest. The way he pulled out his card was a direct nod to the MCU movie.
The Beekeeper And The Drone In Westview
This episode also explained some of the mysteries and theories from the first and second episode. The colorful helicopter toy that Wanda found in her garden was a SWORD drone that transformed into the retro sitcom theme after entering Westview. Similarly, the beekeeper was a SWORD agent who entered through the sewers in a Hazmat gear. However, it didn’t reveal what happened him after Wanda reversed the time.
Darcy’s Return
One of the oldest familiar faces in this episode was Darcy who was introduced in Thor as Jane Foster’s intern. Darcy’s brilliant mind with a hilarious and crazy sense of humor is exactly the dose doctor recommended to MCU fans. Her casual disposition may have raised some SWORD agents’ eyebrows but she immediately proved herself to be asset on the mission. She is contributing as an astrophysicist and it was her who could telecast the sitcom occurring inside Westview. Until her arrival, SWORD and FBI agent Woo had no clue about the “other side”. Without Darcy, Jimmy Woo couldn’t have contacted Wanda through the radio.
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
Darcy revealed that the WandaVision broadcast is hidden in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. CMBR is explained “relic radiation dating back to the Big Bang”. It is not clear exactly how it is linked to Westview but we can tell that Wanda is involved in a messy business with reality-altering. Additionally, comic book fans also navigate CMBR to Fantastic Four who source their powers from this cosmic radiation. As announced by Marvel Studios, a film on these earliest Marvel heroes is already under process. An alternate theory also suggests that this cosmic radiation could be linked to the upcoming Eternals’ energy source.
Whiteboard References
Jimmy Woo has been jotting all the references and clues on the WandaVision show just like us. He is also constantly adding the real identities of all the fictional residents of Westview. However, it is curious that they haven’t found Agnes’ real identity who is suspected to be the sorceress Agatha Harkness from Marvel comic books. Fans have also noticed Woo mentioning Skrulls on his whiteboard. This reference and his knowledge of Skrulls indicate to a bigger plot in the MCU phase 4 and 5.
Vision In His True Form
The latest episode was full of shocking revelations but the one that literally left our mouth open was Vision’s true form. After Monica gets caught and thrown out of Westview, Wanda loses her mind for a brief moment at the mention of Ultron. She is reminded of her past and loses grip over her reality. She accidentally ends up looking at Vision in his true form, as left by Thanos in the events of “Avengers: Infinity War”. Vision suddenly appearing like a shutdown android with a broken head completely takes us by shock. We were expecting this dark and gloomy turn of theme.
Maria “Photon” Rambeau
One of the most remarkable references on the show was Maria Rambeau’s plaque in her SWORD office. Captain Marvel’s friend, Maria held a high position in the organization as one of the founders of SWORD. The plaque in her honor read Maria “Photon” Rambeau. Photon was not only her call-sign in “Captain Marvel” but also the name taken up by her daughter Monica as a superhero.
SWORD Tweaked In The MCU
MCU has borrowed another entity from the comic books but took liberty in tweaking it. In the Marvel books, SWORD stands for “Sentient World Observation and Response Department”. But the movie universe, it has changed to Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division which also brings superhumans under their watch as an aftermath of the Sokovian Accords in “Captain America: Civil War”. Additionally, the mention of missing astronauts and their mission to space also indicate at Fantastic Four. Can this answer why Director Hayward reacted that way to cosmic radiation?
Captain Marvel’s Voice
Until this episode, we had always witnessed the blip through a second-hand experience. But Monica’s return from the snap showed us exactly what her body and mind underwent. As her memories and physical body were getting restored, we could hear the voices in her head. These voices must be quite significant to Monica as they echoed at such a profound moment. One of the voices was pretty familiar as it belonged to Captain Marvel when she called Monica “Lieutenant Trouble”. Perhaps, this memory plays a huge role in Monica’s life and what she came to be.
