When I replayed the first episode of WandaVision, I did not know what to expect When the credits rolled for episode 2, I immediately realized that I regretted my insistence that the show should not be released all at once

Not only is Wander Vision my new favorite TV series (sorry, Flight Attendant), but it is exactly what the Marvel Cinematic Universe (aka MCU) and Disney Plus need After the sad film mourning the heroes lost in The Avengers: Wander Vision, it's a weird, trippy, mysterious side quest that serves as Marvel's palate cleanser as it heads into more dramatic fare

Let's dive into a mostly spoiler-free review of the first two episodes of Wanda Vision to get you ready for Westview, the seemingly idyllic town where our heroes have come to live Unlike the best Marvel movies like [Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier come to mind, Wanda and the Colossus does not stand alone at all This may be frustrating for the rare Disney Plus subscriber who skipped an Avengers movie or two, but it's not necessarily a bad thing

Filled with Easter eggs, fanservice, and reminders of characters from past films and Marvel comics that have yet to appear in the MCU, "Wanda Vision" is a mystery comedy Yes, Avengers Wanda Maximoff and Vision seem to be in a 1950s sitcom-like reality, and we don't know why Everything from the monochrome colors to the 4:3 aspect ratio is wrong to our 4K HDR content-trained eyes They are also confused and constantly asking unanswered questions

By the end of the first episode, the traditional Marvel storyline is hardly depicted, but it still works Instead, the traditional sitcom storyline unfolds And by being so different from everything else the MCU has given us, Wander Vision feels more original, even with a premise that references derivative sitcoms

However, I wonder what younger people who haven't seen reruns of "I Love Lucy" on Nick at Nite will think of the format Nevertheless, the script is solid, the pacing and dialogue are snappy, and everything fits together nicely

Let's say, like me, you've had little exposure to Paul Bettany, who plays Vision, until now The android avenger has never truly been the star of the show, but that changes in Wanda Vision While Vision has some fascinating moments in episode one, it is in episode two, a series of comically awkward scenes in which Bethany's true value is demonstrated as she tries to fit in with her neighbors and meets with disaster

Bethany's comic timing and the brilliant dialogue between Vision and Wanda are the kind of elements that only Paul Rudd, who once played Scott Lang (aka Ant-Man), could have allowed

This is also made possible by the fact that throughout the series Vision is in his own incognito mode and Bethany is swoon-worthy to blend into the scene This allows for a more expressive performance, which is necessary for the story and the audience's enjoyment

Throughout the first two episodes, we see and hear Easter eggs that reference characters and organizations from the previous films Then we return for the third time to the MCU with the character Monica Rambo, who was last seen as a young girl in "Captain Marvel" and is now an adult, played by Teyonah Parris

But the keenly observant viewer will find many clues to develop a theory as to what happens next and who drove Wanda and Vision into this macabre cul-de-sac And, as is typical of Marvel films, there is a tease before the second set of credits roll, so you won't want to turn off the first episode once the first credits roll

Kathryn Hahn ("Parks & Recreation") gives an excellent performance as the gossipy Agnes, the first friend Wanda makes in this new town This is because Wanda doesn't really understand the era she was dropped into or what is going on, but Agnes knows everything and can guide her

The first episode also features characters played by veteran actors Fred Melamed ("A Serious Man") and Debra Jo Rupp ("That 70's Show"), whose performances are true to the era and add to the show's 50's retro feel

And in the second episode, Emma Caulfield Ford ("Buffy: Vampire Slayer") appears as the alpha housewife of Westview As Dottie, Caulfield Ford is intimidating, yet aware that something is afoot

Just don't expect MCU stars Kat Dennings and Randall Park, who were previously announced for the series, to already be in it It appears we will have to wait for Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo

Don't worry if the first episode is too retro for your liking As you may have seen in the promos, the color palette of this series is not permanently stuck in black and white Because too much of the same stuff can get a little stale after a while

Somehow, the series seems to jump back to the 1960s and 70s as seen in The Brady Bunch By the end of the season, expect to see Wanda and Vision in coffee shops like Central Park or Seinfeld's Diner