Image Source: Instagram
Last week on VisionQuest! Ultron remembers that he has no strings on him! Vision and Thomas keep building their relationship. Succeeding? Who knows? E.D.I.T.H. contemplates the concept of death. Jocasta on the move! And F.R.I.D.A.Y. has some severe PTSD! And that’s what you missed on VisionQuest!
With only two episodes left, VisionQuest has already cemented itself as one of Marvel’s strongest Disney+ series to date. Much like WandaVision and Agatha All Along, VisionQuest ventures into genre-driven and cerebral territory that resonates emotionally, sparks the imagination, and offers fans a more substantial narrative experience than mere connective tissue for an upcoming Avengers film. Terry Matalas and his team of filmmakers and writers have been on an insane roll since the first episode, and this week is no different. While last week’s block of episodes put VisionQuest in the upper echelon of MCU shows, this week’s episodes put it in the Top 2, next to Loki and Wonder Man.
Episode 5 (titled "Firewall") and Episode 6 (titled "Deadlock") are brought to us by director Vincenzo Natali (Splice, Westworld, Hannibal) and writers Christopher Monfette and Nicole Falsetti (Star Trek: Picard). This week’s episodes shine because the filmmakers trust the audience to follow the story even without much action. "Firewall", in particular, can easily be seen as the series’ showcase for the cast's acting talents. Long stretches of scenes with characters just talking testify to the trust the writers have in us, the viewers. Is there action? Of course there is! Is the action good? You bet it is! But are the show's strongest elements the acting, the dialogue, and Mick Giacchino’s musical score? Yes, yes, they are!
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Image Source: Total Film
Let’s not beat around the bush here. This week’s episodes, hell, the show at this point, belong to James Spader as Ultron and T’Nia Miller as Jocasta. Whether it’s in their human forms or robot forms, Spader and Miller, to put it bluntly, act their asses off. As mentioned in previous reviews, James Spader’s performance as Ultron is painfully captivating. Every line delivered, every expression captured, and every movement made is flawlessly orchestrated. Even with Joss Whedon’s sassier characterization remaining intact, VisionQuest gives Ultron more breathing room to be both a concrete threat and more human. Ultron’s motivations go beyond what fans jokingly summarize as being on the internet for 5 seconds and wanting to destroy humanity. The show makes Ultron’s fascination (borderline obsession) with humans and how we operate an essential core to his being and philosophy. That’s what makes is pyschosexual connection with Jocasta so compelling. A former human who uploaded her mind into a synthetic body, Jocasta longs for revenge on the people who did her wrong. Ultron and Jocosta’s relationship is a sick and twisted version of Wanda and Vision’s. While Wanda and Vision’s romance helped them both become more human in a world that didn’t accept them, Ultron and Jocasta’s relationship makes them more human, but also makes them worse people. It’s warped, it’s disturbing, it’s captivating!
Paul Bettany and Ruaridh Mollica continue to shine as Vision and Tommy, respectively. Seeing these two characters reunited has been a delight, as their undeniable chemistry shines through once more. The show’s primary theme of the turbulent relationship between fathers and sons continues to impress, whether it’s through the dynamic between Vision and Tommy, Ultron and Vision, or even Paladin’s backstory about how his own father turned him into a killer. Todd Stashwick really stood out this week as Paladin, finally making a real impression. Paladin feels like a real threat this week, proving it’s not just the genocidal robots who provide an excellent dose of menace to the proceedings. Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H. and Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y. are still major standouts, with Brady once again given the floor to show off some truly impressive acting skills. Lauren Morais as Lisa Molinari also finally gets the chance to shine.
Image Source: Bam! Smack! Pow!
As we approach the end of both VisionQuest and the Wanda Trilogy as a whole, the show continues to impress with its impressive cast, well-written dialogue, phenomenal musical score, and undeniable sense of humanity and emotion. The filmmakers behind VisionQuest understand that cool visuals aren’t enough and that it needs a real beating heart beneath the metal surface. This is to say that the filmmakers behind VisionQuest deserve credit for the insane amount of trust they have in Marvel fans. Especially in a time when Thunderbolts* may have been too much for a specific brand of Marvel fan.
The closer we get to the end, the more exciting it becomes. Will Tommy reunite with his brother? Who is the Client? Will Ultron learn the true meaning of humanity? Will E.D.I.T.H. understand the concept of death? Will White Vision become the true Vision? Stay tuned!
"Firewall" Rating: 10/10
"Deadlock": 10/10
VisionQuest is now streaming on Disney+ with new episodes every Tuesday!
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