WandaVision Episode 3 Explained

Like the first episode, WandaVision Episode 3 is steeped in mystery and a bit of confusion. However, keeping in mind what we talked about in our explanation of Episodes 1-2, a lot of this mystery and confusion starts to make more sense. In fact, Episode 3 does a lot when it comes to confirming theories and revealing the hidden truth behind the series.

Here, we’ll be breaking down what we learned from Episode 3 and examining how that changes our perception of the show’s overall narrative.

Warning: spoilers for WandaVision Episodes 1-3, earlier MCU movies, and general casting information from other MCU projects follow. Plus, spoilers from a few Marvel comics also follow.

Reality

In our explanation of Episodes 1-2, we talked about the central theory behind WandaVision. This theory suggests that the TV Show setting WandaVision centers around is an alternate reality created and controlled by Wanda in order to process her grief over Vision’s death in Infinity War. Episode 3 does a lot when it comes to confirming this theory.

The entire episode is littered with small hints and suggestions that the world they currently inhabit is fake. Vision quotes Shakespeare in suggesting the world they live in is a “stage”, time inexplicably rewinds when Vision starts to realize something is wrong, and the doctor hints at an inescapable reality. Even some of the neighbors’ actions simply don’t make sense and suggest they are done by people without real autonomy.

However, the big reveal comes from the episode’s conclusion. Here, we see Geraldine (who is probably Monica Rambeau, agent of S.W.O.R.D.) completely ejected from Wanda’s fake reality after reminding her of a traumatic event from her past. She immediately arrives in what we can only assume is the real world, where a government organization has clearly set up a perimeter monitoring a mystical barrier around the town of Westview. There is even an aspect ratio change to further cement the shift in reality. All of this helps confirm that the WandaVision reality was created by Wanda in order to escape her trauma and that S.W.O.R.D. is investigating the appearance of a town-sized abnormality.

The Commercial

In our explanation of Episodes 1-2, we suggested that the commercials seen throughout WandaVision could be an additional way in which Wanda is processing her grief. The soap commercial in Episode 3 could fit this theme as well. The entire commercial talks about a Hydra product being able to unlock secret powers within. This appears to be a direct reference to the torturous experiments that originally gave Wanda and Pietro their powers. The blue color of the soap even fits this as well, as the source for the experiments came from Loki’s blue scepter.

Episode 3’s commercial could also have a double meaning in further confirming that Wanda’s reality is fictional. The entire commercial is centered around leaving troubles behind and immersing in a calming bath. This parallels Wanda’s attempt to run from the real world and escape to a place where Vision is still alive.

The Townspeople

Episode 3 gives more insight when it comes to the state of mind of the citizens of Westview. Herb’s conversation with Vision at the conclusion of the episode seems to suggest that they are well aware that their reality is fake, but that they are either incapable of or too afraid to reveal the truth. Given that Geraldine was ejected from reality as soon as she talked about the truth, either option seems plausible.

A new mystery is also introduced through the neighbor’s unfinished statement: “We’re all…” He could have been saying “trapped” and have been attempting to explain the nature of Wanda’s reality. He could have been saying “not real” and have been attempting to explain that all of the sitcom’s “characters” are simply figments of Wanda’s imagination. Or, he could have been saying “dead” and have been attempting to remind Vision what happened to him in Infinity War. This last option is particularly troubling as it suggests that the citizens of Westview may be other people killed in Infinity War or, given what we previously discussed about the “devil’s” role in Wanda’s illusion, could suggest that the citizens are under Mephisto’s power.

The Children

Another theory we previously discussed about WandaVision is that someone is manipulating Wanda’s reality and that this person is interested in her children. This theory comes from the fact that, in the comics, Wanda has twins with Vision and these twins are revealed to be animated pieces of Mephisto’s soul, which he eventually reclaims.

Episode 3 further confirms this theory by witnessing Wanda give birth to twins, who have the same names her children have in the comics. Around the time the twins are born, a stork mysteriously arrives and appears to be completely immune to Wanda’s magic. The stork’s resistance to Wanda’s magic and its appearance almost immediately before she gives birth could suggest that the stork is the mysterious manipulator and that its presence at that time is critical in some way. However, information about manipulation from a third-party is still pretty vague so it will take more time before a clear picture forms here.

We plan to keep following along and trying to make sense of the WandaVision series as it develops. So make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest or subscribe to ComicBookWire’s newsletter to stay up to date on whats happening!