WandaVision Episode 2 recap: Fitting in should be easy

WandaVision Episode 2 sees our titular characters trying to fit into their new surroundings. But something’s not quite right, is it?

In WandaVision Episode 2, Wanda and Vision are settling into their new life in Westview, an idyllic suburban town. But this Disney Plus show isn’t what it appears to be.

While still following the quirkiness of the show’s premiere, WandaVision Episode 2 has darker undertones. Not all is right in this world, and we may be learning why that is.

WandaVision Episode 2 – Life in Westview

A la old sitcoms, WandaVision Episode 2 opens with Wanda and Vision sleeping in separate beds when they’re awoken by a strange noise. Vision is an absolute scaredy-cat about the situation, but Wanda seems ready to face the problem. Fortunately, it turns out to be a large tree branch, so no worries.

Vision’s fear is an interesting change in his personality. Whatever little we’ve seen of him showed him to be quite brave. And selfless—he sacrificed himself and the Mind stone to save humanity. It’ll be interesting to see how this is explained in the show.

While nothing more happens that night, Wanda does find something the next day. The world is still black and white, so a red and gold toy helicopter in her rose bush is cause for alarm.

The logo on the toy is new to Marvel Cinematic Universe fans, but we did see the circle encasing a sword on a notebook in the previous episode. What is this organisation? And what do they want with Wanda?

WandaVision Episode 2 – Making Friends

But over to more pressing matters. The bulk of WandaVision Episode 2 is dedicated to a talent show, hosted by Westview queen bee, Dottie ( Emma Caulfield Ford).

Dottie is a Stepford Wife-incarnate. Things have to go her way at all times, which makes Wanda and her neighbour, Agnes, nervous. Wanda isn’t like everyone else—her clothes are different, for one, and she doesn’t know Westview’s social norms.

The meeting to set up the talent show is a bit of a disaster. Wanda speaks out of turn; applauds too early and is a general misfit. But she does make a new friend—Geraldine (Teyonah Parris), is just as lost as Wanda.

But when Wanda is put to work clearing up, she gets to spend some time with Dottie. She may be an ice queen, but perhaps with reason. Dottie seems scared of Wanda and she straight up tells her she doesn’t trust Wanda or Vision.

Stranger still, the radio interrupts its music, and they hear the voice of a man calling Wanda. Who is it? How is he speaking through the radio?

They don’t find out because Dottie breaks the glass she’s holding. The bright red blood oozing out of her hand is a stark contrast to the black and white setting. What do these spots of colour indicate?

Meanwhile, Vision is dealing with his own faux pas. He walks into a committee meeting to discuss town security, only to find that everyone’s sharing gossip.

Vision has many skills but fitting in isn’t one of them. He lets slip that he doesn’t eat food, and then ends up taking a piece of gum to prove he can eat. Bad idea. He accidentally swallows the gum and it gets his gears jammed. Right before he and Wanda have to perform at the talent show.

WandaVision Episode 2 – The Talent Show

The residents of Westview certainly try their best to entertain at the talent show, but Dottie is exacting in her standards. Nothing’s really gone right for our titular couple in WandaVision Episode 2—can the talent show save them?

Not if Vision isn’t working. That gum really messed him up. His motor coordination is shot. He says things out of order and makes his abilities too obvious.

Idyllic Westview can’t handle a flying man or someone who can lift a piano with one hand. Fortunately, Wanda saves the day—and their standing in the town.

She adds ropes to the stage to show Vision flying and turns the piano into a cardboard cutout. Sadly, that piano actually used to belong to one of the guests. Oh dear.

The only hiccup is their cabinet disappearing act. Wanda is supposed to step in and ‘disappear’, but Vision gets it all wrong. The crowd anticipates something in the cupboard so Wanda magics in Geraldine, who takes the whole act very well.

When Wanda and Vision surprisingly win the talent show, Geraldine questions them about her participation in the magic act. Fortunately, she accepts their non-explanations. Geraldine will be a good ally in this strange world.

WandaVision Episode 2 – Bump in the Night

The excitement of the talent show over, Wanda and Vision turn in for the night. Only to realise that they are now expecting. This is definitely a nod to their comic book arc but this sudden addition to the family will impact how their lives play out.

Their joy is interrupted by the infernal noise that woke them up the night before. They go to investigate it, but this time it’s not a tree. A manhole cover moves and out pops someone dressed in a beekeeper’s suit with the same logo as the one on the toy helicopter. Except the being is swarmed by insects and when it turns to face them, we can’t see its face.

Wanda doesn’t like this turn of events, so she rewinds to the revelation of their pregnancy. And then, the world changes to colour and the WandaVision show transitions to darkness as the man on the radio calls out to Wanda again asking who is doing this to her.

Final Thoughts – WandaVision Episode 2 cranks up the weirdness

My main takeaway from WandaVision Episode 2 is that Wanda may know what’s happening. The ending seems to imply she has control over the events around her. Why she would choose such regressive settings though, is beyond me. Does she really want to be a 1960s suburban housewife to escape the reality of the Snap?

We’re seeing some recurring elements that hint at more to come. The advertisements in WandaVision feature the same couple in different settings. There are very obvious nods to the MCU—the toaster in the premiere sounded like the Iron Man suit and was made by Stark Industries.

The watch advertised in WandaVision Episode 2 was a Hydra-branded one from the Strücker company, aka Baron von Strücker, one of the men who enhanced Wanda and her brother, Pietro.

However, if the ads are within the WandaVision show, can Wanda see them and remember her life as an Avenger? It’s going to be a very long wait till next week’s episode.

What did you think of the WandaVision Episode 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

WandaVision is airing weekly on Disney Plus.