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Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






How do!

Well, it’s up for streaming, with the first two episodes available.

So far, it’s kinda....odd. The spoof of 50/60’s sitcoms is pretty spot on, based on my memories of Genie and Bewitched. It’s also quite unlike anything I’ve seen before. Not radically different, just quite a unique feel.

Anyone else tuned in?

Have now watched both episodes.

First impressions, I guess.

1. I’m glad they seem to have embraced this as a tv series, rather than a serialised movie, if that makes sense.

2. I don’t quite know what to make of it, but for the right reasons. The sitcom spoofing works so well, when an indicator that something is up comes along, it’s genuinely and suitably jarring. I’m wondering if the commercials are heavy hints to us the audience, or Wanda trying to make sense of stuff?

Overall, whilst not exactly hooked as I was with the Mando, I thoroughly enjoyed what we’ve seen so far.

And for those that have seen the second episode, is it just me, or was Paul Betanny channelling a little Rik Mayall?

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2022/11/14 17:08:19


   
Made in us
Nihilistic Necron Lord






It’s so Sitcom-y, very spot on, even a nice Dick Van Dyke reference with the chair in the beginning. Only seen the first episode so far, but I liked it.

 
   
Made in us
Norn Queen






I enjoy that they are committing so hard to the premise. It works so far and I am really interested in seeing the eventual dove tail into psychological break downs. Most interesting element to me so far is in the...

Spoiler:
...post credits there is a S.W.O.R.D. logo on the monitor/journal. Traditionally SWORD handles extraterrestrial threats to Earth as a space based counterpart to SHIELD. And everyone thought that that was what Nick Fury was up to in that space station. That no longer appears to be the case.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/15 12:39:34



These are my opinions. This is how I feel. Others may feel differently. This needs to be stated for some reason.
 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Yeah.

Spoiler:
And whoever popped out the sewer in episode 2 seemed to have the S.W.O.R.D.emblem on their kit.

   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

Ok, so, a lot to take in.

I like how they are not doing parodies of classic sitcoms. Rather they are making sitcom episodes in the complete style, tone and techniques of a 50's and a 60's sitcom. They're not mocking or satirising those styles, they're straight up recreating them. It's a very bold choice, and one that works quite well.

Ok, potential spoiler territory here...

Spoiler:
The show is terrifying. The sense of foreboding and creeping dread engulfs virtually everything. Stark tonal shifts are often examples of bad plotting or directing, but these are 100% deliberate. How we go from light banter about Wanda and Vision's (unknown) past, to a wife not noticing that her husband is choking, to "Vision. Save him.", and then back to weird'n'wacky I Love Lucy sitcom in the space of less that a minute is just damned spooky.

Even moreso is the end of the second episode, where the SWORD agent, appearing as a scary bee keeper, appears from a manhole cover and Wanda's only reaction is "No!" followed by her rewinding time to make that not happen. It's creepy as feth, and I love it.

Them not remembering anything reminds me of the conversation between Cobb and Ariadne from Inception, where they're at a cafe talking and Cobb asks Ariadne if she remembers how she got there, and suddenly she realises she can't, because they're in a dream, she didn't know that, and in vivid dreams you are often in situations with no idea how you got there (you don't even think about it). The way Vision doesn't know what his job is, or what the company does, and no one else there does. How they don't know when they got married, where, where they moved from. Even Monica doesn't know who she is.

And then there's how Vision is even there in the first place?
Apparently episodes 1 and 2 are the main 'set up' episodes, establishing the rules of the sitcom styles and how some things operate (like how their house completely changes between episodes and no one notices), whereas the third episode gets us a bit more into the underlying "what the feth is going on" plot line.

It's going to be a long wait...

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2021/01/15 14:25:58


Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Very succinctly put my dude, and I’m in complete agreement.

Spoiler:
I’m particularly interested in the commercials. One for a Stark toaster, where the alarm goes on a little too long (and flashes in colour) and one for a Strücker brand device)

Are these red herrings, foreshadowing of stuff to come, or simply hints that something is definitely No Right Here.

Massive props to Elizabeth Olsen here. The dinner table scene is a brilliant bit of acting. Someone right on the very, very edge of total panic.

Magnificent stuff.

And again, praise for them not making this a fragmented movie, but an actual series.

   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

Olsen is perfect (and gorgeous... if not for ScarJo she'd be Number 1 in the MCU, but I digress) and, from what I read, is very specifically enunciating very clearly in a deliberate fashion as that is what actors in 50's/60's sitcoms were required to do.

And those advertisements. Look how uneasy the lady looked in the Stark Toaster one. It was an ad for a toaster FFS, and still the sense of dread, the sense that something is not right, but no one can tell why, is right there, front and centre.

The use of colour is interesting (everything in black and white except for the blood on Dottie's hand). I hope a lot of these side characters (other than Agnes and Monica, obviously) continue to show up as we move through the sitcom eras.

Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Yeah.

I think this is going to stand up pretty well to the episodic format. Especially if, unless I’m mistaken, it’s a fixed term thing, rather than ongoing ala Lost.

That should keep the focus sharp. When you know you’ve 9 episodes to tell your tale (with, presumably the option for loose threads to be tied to movies and different shows) you’re less likely to whimbrel and waffle.

And yeah. That sense of disquiet and faint dread is effing masterful. In places, it’s seemingly easy to miss, but even when clear, it’s not overriding, or out of place. It’s just jarring enough for us to feel as the characters do.

Though I do recommend people watch both episodes, as I feel the first is the weaker of the two, as the second really builds things more, once the foundation is laid.

   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





I'm a huge fan of all the source marterial this seems to be inspired by. Very excited to check it out.
   
Made in us
Norn Queen






If anyone does any story telling ala dnd or other table top rpgs these are episodes i would tell them to watch to learn how to build a sense of unease and dread in a situation. It is VERY well done.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also predictions discussion: do we think Wiccan and Speed are both going to come out the other side of this series to join the young avengers?

So far they have cast

Cassie Lang (Stature)
Kamala Khan (Mrs Marvel)
Kate Bishop (Hawkeye)
Spiderman? (Hes still young enough?)

And with Secret Invasion they could introduce Hulkling.


And while we discuss predictions, Quicksilver going to be alive again?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/15 15:23:02



These are my opinions. This is how I feel. Others may feel differently. This needs to be stated for some reason.
 
   
Made in us
Battlefield Tourist




MN (Currently in WY)

I get a strong Mojo vibe from the ads for this series, but I hope I am very, very wrong.

However, Mojo would tie in with SWORD agents as he is an intergalactic "threat".

Have not seen the show as I do not have D+.

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Made in us
Nihilistic Necron Lord






 LunarSol wrote:
I'm a huge fan of all the source marterial this seems to be inspired by. Very excited to check it out.


If you’re talking about the Vision comic run where he had the whole synth family (I think I saw people making comparisons previously) this is nothing like that story.

 
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka







It sort of reminds me of 'Legends of Tomorrow' (particularly season 5) played more as a horror than a comedy.

I'm definitely interested... And kind of want to rewatch the episodes all over again.
   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




 Easy E wrote:
I get a strong Mojo vibe from the ads for this series, but I hope I am very, very wrong.


That'd be a weird choice (so many other characters he could tie-in with, and he's a natural backstory). Personally, I suspect (going to spoiler this, but its ALL speculation, haven't seen it):
Spoiler:
(given her 'weird' powers) its something she did to herself, as a (very terrible) attempt at a coping mechanism. And Agatha/Agnes is trying to pull her out of her own head. The strange, creepy stuff is her mind rebelling at facing reality


Given the themes it will/should probably hit on, I'm going to guess that a lot of people aren't going to like this show. Too existential and psychological, and probably too darned depressing.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/15 19:54:39


Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






The show is doing a pretty good job so far of keeping all that amibiguous.

Spoiler:
The second episode shows Wanda does have significant control within whatever it is, as she rewinds time.

But, there’s also “voices from outside” calling to her, asking who did this to her.

It could be she is someone’s victim, could leave at any time, but doesn’t want to (or deeper psychological stuffs, such as her mental state forcing her to stay).

   
Made in us
Norn Queen






I found some interesting tid bits about the show. Some just little easter eggs. Some nice little notes about whos who and what could be going on. Nothing crazy spoilery just little lines people are drawing to some things.

Spoiler:

-So in the Ep2 Opening when cartoon Vision is phasing through the floor The Grim Reapers silhouetted helmet is between the floor boards along with some cartoon bones. A reference to that Vision series.

-The voice calling over the radio is Jimmy Woo. The agent who was watching Scott Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Has he been promoted to SWORD?

-S.W.O.R.D. now stands for Sentient Weapon Obersevation and Response Division. Which might mean they are now an extension of the Sokovia Accords and a international police force that monitors and responds to enhanced individuals. Will SWORD be going after Spiderman? Is Kraven a SWORD agent going rogue?

-Agnes is very likely Agatha Harkness. Basically the person who taught Wanda magic in the comics.

-Cartoon Wanda in the super market has 2 posters behind her. Bova Milk (a reference to her Cow Person Milk maid from Wundagore Mt. (comics are dumb look this up at your own risk)) and Aunty A's kitty litter (which appears over cartoon Agnes. "Aunty Agatha" is a name Wanda calls Agatha in the comics, who also in known to have a all black cat with her at all times named Ebony.)


So thats cool.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/15 20:21:28



These are my opinions. This is how I feel. Others may feel differently. This needs to be stated for some reason.
 
   
Made in us
Purposeful Hammerhead Pilot




United States

So something things that I thoughts of, and things I cribbed from other conversations online

Spoiler:
The "ad breaks" so far reference tragic events in Wanda's life. The Stark Bomb that killed her family, and almost killed her and quicksilver is the toaster reference. and the Strucker watch is a reference the Baron Von Strucker and Hydra experimenting on her and quicksilver to give them their powers.

I predict we get something related to Quicksilver's death in the next ad break.

I think Wanda is the one truly in control of everything. We shall see if it turns out to be voluntary or not I guess. But part of me kind of hopes this leads to her portion in Doctor Strange 2 being her as the villain rather than supporting cast.

The helicopter also had the SWORD logo on it. I saw someone online say that maybe it was a real helicopter that got turned into a toy when it entered Wanda's reality. Could it be how Monica/Geraldine ended up in episode 2?
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Something just occurred to e,...

Spoiler:
Wanda is of course Sokovian. Which is presented as a former Eastern Bloc country.

They’re not exactly noted for their cultural warm embrace of classic US tv programming, such as I Love Lucy.

So...why, in terms of Wanda, this fantasy land?

   
Made in us
Grim Dark Angels Interrogator-Chaplain






A Protoss colony world

Just watched both episodes, and I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. I don't know all these different comic books you guys are referencing, so that's probably not helping me. I'll just wait and see how the show develops going forward.

Spoiler:
I did enjoy the callbacks to classic TV shows like the Dick Van Dyke show, Bewitched, and others like that. I've seen a lot of classic TV in my life, and they got the look and everything spot on!

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 Mr_Rose wrote:
Who doesn’t love crazy mutant squawk-puppies? Eh? Nobody, that’s who.
 
   
Made in us
Norn Queen






 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Something just occurred to e,...

Spoiler:
Wanda is of course Sokovian. Which is presented as a former Eastern Bloc country.

They’re not exactly noted for their cultural warm embrace of classic US tv programming, such as I Love Lucy.

So...why, in terms of Wanda, this fantasy land?


Spoiler:
It's not just that she is Sokovian and has no cultural anchor to those shows. She also really isn't the right age for it. Even if she was born in the USA this should be Family Matters, Full House, Fresh Prince, Saved By the Bell, etc etc... Wonder Years as the absolute earliest.

I had a very similar thought. I don't know if we will be getting a satisfactory answer. Maybe Agatha is guiding it a bit? By making it these idealistic simplistic earlier sitcoms she can minimize the damage?


These are my opinions. This is how I feel. Others may feel differently. This needs to be stated for some reason.
 
   
Made in gb
Growlin' Guntrukk Driver with Killacannon





Scotland, but nowhere near my rulebook

Well.

I watched this, and thought "other than me, who the hell is this aimed at" and the answer appears to be "everyone else in this thread"

I've never read Marvel comics, really, but watched all the movies. But in my teens I travelled around lots of America watching I Love Lucy, Bewitched and I Dream of Genie in hotel rooms. And the recreation in this is damn near pitch perfect (apart from the overwhelming dread, as others have pointed out so well)

I swear the grade of the film stock changes from Episode 1 to 2.

And no, I don't think Paul is channeling Rick Mayall. Because I'm absolutely sure it was Tommy Cooper.
   
Made in us
Purposeful Hammerhead Pilot




United States

 Lance845 wrote:
 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Something just occurred to e,...

Spoiler:
Wanda is of course Sokovian. Which is presented as a former Eastern Bloc country.

They’re not exactly noted for their cultural warm embrace of classic US tv programming, such as I Love Lucy.

So...why, in terms of Wanda, this fantasy land?


Spoiler:
It's not just that she is Sokovian and has no cultural anchor to those shows. She also really isn't the right age for it. Even if she was born in the USA this should be Family Matters, Full House, Fresh Prince, Saved By the Bell, etc etc... Wonder Years as the absolute earliest.

I had a very similar thought. I don't know if we will be getting a satisfactory answer. Maybe Agatha is guiding it a bit? By making it these idealistic simplistic earlier sitcoms she can minimize the damage?


Spoiler:
I'm more likely to believe it's because one of the writers is the correct age for these references wanted them in there. I don't think it will be some big reveal or anyting.
   
Made in gb
Fixture of Dakka







Potentially these old shows could have been the only sort of Western TV you'd get in Sokovia.

Thinking to daytime TV in Scotland, American shows are STILL mostly 70's and 80's classics. Is it too much of a stretch that in a fictional former Eastern bloc country they're even older?

And if you're going with the 'Wanda has retreated into her own bubble of reality idea in an attempt to hide through her grief'', it would seem reasonable that she'd try to create her own idealised, safe, world.

Spoiler:
Like even the 'villains' of Episode 1 and 2, the Boss and Dottie suddenly change their mind out of the blue, giving Wanda a 'win' when it looks like they aren't going to.

I think the main question of the show is a little like Legion... What's the right answer? Is Wanda doing this to herself, or is there really an external force (EG in Legions case, the ShadowKing) contributing to it all?
   
Made in us
Terrifying Doombull




balmong7 wrote:


Spoiler:
I'm more likely to believe it's because one of the writers is the correct age for these references wanted them in there. I don't think it will be some big reveal or anyting.


Agreed. Plus, I do think the baseline is the way it is for the target audience (as well as the writers)

Spoiler:
Like it or not, the Eastern European equivalent of 'I Love Lucy' would just produce a blank, puzzled response from the intended audience. It might be quirky or even interesting to see a show made that way, but it wouldn't get approved and wouldn't sell even if it were. Cultural dominance might even be an intended theme.

Efficiency is the highest virtue. 
   
Made in us
Norn Queen






 ZergSmasher wrote:
Just watched both episodes, and I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. I don't know all these different comic books you guys are referencing, so that's probably not helping me. I'll just wait and see how the show develops going forward.

Spoiler:
I did enjoy the callbacks to classic TV shows like the Dick Van Dyke show, Bewitched, and others like that. I've seen a lot of classic TV in my life, and they got the look and everything spot on!


I can summarize the major comics for this for you and anyone else real quick.

The build up to her major mental break
Spoiler:

Real earlier comics had Wanda and Vision in a relationship. Then Vision got destroyed and it broke her. In traditional comics being too complicated fashion, Mephisto (one of Marvels "The Devil"s) was revealed to be egging on her madness to sow chaos. She ended up manifesting children with Vision, twins, who mirrored her and her brothers powers (speed and "magic"). When Vision was rebuilt/returned he was himself but also not the person he was before. He had old Visions memories but no emotional connection to them or really anything. When Wanda's kids were revealed to be manifestations of her powers there was basically a intervention that ended with them no longer existing. Their return and removal for reality happens a bit and now they are fully currently in the continuity in modern comics (Characters named Speed and Wiccan if you want to look them up).


Avengers Disassembled and the House of M
Spoiler:

Her big final mental break from all that nonsense was a story called Avengers Disassembled that resulted in her breaking down so badly that several Avengers were "killed" or wiped from existence including Hawkeye and Scott Lang (maybe?). The end of which had the Avengers and the X-Men arguing over whos job it was to decide what to do with her because she was too unstable and unraveling reality around her. Her kids would literally manifest as children and then disappear and then return at a different age (think babies, then 6 year olds, then 10, then shes pregnant, then they are 3, then they don't exist again, etc etc...). Instead she rewrote all of reality into a world that was everything her father wanted. Mutants were the dominant species. Magneto effectively ruled the world. Sentinels were a police force that hunted rebel humans who opposed mutant supremacy. Magneto ended up striking down and killing quicksilver in this reality and Wanda turned on him. "Even when you get everything you ever wanted you are still the monster. No More Mutants". With those last 3 words reality went back to normal with 1 major exception. The mutant population went from hundreds of thousands to a smidge over 500 in a instant. And no new mutants were being born. Wanda put their species on the brink of extinction that would impact years of X books going forward.


The Visions Family
Spoiler:

There was a 6 issue Vision limited series that was about the Vision exploring his humanity and trying to fit in by building himself a family. Vision in the comics has his mind built on top of a imprint of multiple people but mainly Wonder Man (don't worry about it it's dumb comic stuff). Wanda had Hank Pym (who built Ultron who in turn built Vision) help build a new head crystal for Vision to make himself a wife based on Wanda. Someone LIKE her but NOT her. He also built a dog and 2 kids. Viv and Vin. The series watches Vision living in a suburban life while being the Avengers liaison to the Pentagon in DC while his family tries to fit in. Going to school, keeping a home. etc...

But things unravel and his wife kills a person, his son becomes basically a vegetable, and Vision ultimately has to kill his wife because she starts going off the deep end. A lot of the idealistic family motif of the show is reminiscent of this series.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/16 03:55:02



These are my opinions. This is how I feel. Others may feel differently. This needs to be stated for some reason.
 
   
Made in us
Member of the Ethereal Council






Man i came in to give my one theory and everyone is like "Here is my encycolpediac knowledge of all comics and how it might relate.
I think i might just lurk.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Ok, so, a lot to take in.

I like how they are not doing parodies of classic sitcoms. Rather they are making sitcom episodes in the complete style, tone and techniques of a 50's and a 60's sitcom. They're not mocking or satirising those styles, they're straight up recreating them. It's a very bold choice, and one that works quite well.




They are definitely poking some fun at it, with vision having some nebulous job doing "Stuff" kinda how it was with those shows, the man just had a "Job"
And the two beds joke, with it moving toward eatchother. Not much, but some jokes/jabs if you know what the source material is.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/01/16 06:50:59


5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
 
   
Made in gb
Jealous that Horus is Warmaster






I read the Vision's nebulous job thing as just being another facet of the weirdness/wrongness of the whole situation, rather than poking fun at the old comedies, but there is no reason why it couldn't be both, I suppose.

 
   
Made in us
Member of the Ethereal Council






balmong7 wrote:
 Lance845 wrote:
 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Something just occurred to e,...

Spoiler:
Wanda is of course Sokovian. Which is presented as a former Eastern Bloc country.

They’re not exactly noted for their cultural warm embrace of classic US tv programming, such as I Love Lucy.

So...why, in terms of Wanda, this fantasy land?


Spoiler:
It's not just that she is Sokovian and has no cultural anchor to those shows. She also really isn't the right age for it. Even if she was born in the USA this should be Family Matters, Full House, Fresh Prince, Saved By the Bell, etc etc... Wonder Years as the absolute earliest.

I had a very similar thought. I don't know if we will be getting a satisfactory answer. Maybe Agatha is guiding it a bit? By making it these idealistic simplistic earlier sitcoms she can minimize the damage?


Spoiler:
I'm more likely to believe it's because one of the writers is the correct age for these references wanted them in there. I don't think it will be some big reveal or anyting.

Well its less they are refrencing these old shows exclusivley. They are doing a decade of televisions each, 50s for Ep 1, 60s for ep2(The turning to colore was the bewitched because they started filming in color)
Spoiler:
There is even said to be a full house episode later

Im personally excited is there will be a 2000s episode.

5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
 
   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

 Lance845 wrote:
Spoiler:
... mainly Wonder Man (don't worry about it it's dumb comic stuff).
Maybe we should worry about it...

Spoiler:
The animated intro for episode two has the Grim Reaper's helmet in their house, the Grim Reaper being Simon's brother. And in the latest sort of behind the scenes preview stuff, the head writer/show running speaking to camera and in the background a lot of stuff is blurred out. One of the things is very clearly Wonder Man, in his costume.


Could be nothing, but it might be significant.

Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in gb
Ridin' on a Snotling Pump Wagon






Lord I’m thick.

Spoiler:
Cant believe I didn’t clock this.

When Vision is all dead in Infinity War, what happened to his body.

This right, all the colour fades on it.

And this show started out in Black & White. The only colour showing through is Red. Which happens to be the colour of Wanda’s magic....which exist as a result of HYDRA mucking about with Loki’s Sceptre.

And we then see the show return to colour, to Wanda’s genuine delight....

Wonder how related all that is?

   
 
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