WANDAVISION Director Explains The Show's Commercials, And Your Fan Theories Are All Wrong

The commercials which played during the sitcom episodes of WandaVision spawned plenty of fan theories, but director Matt Shakman has now explained their meaning, and the role they played in the series...

By JoshWilding - Mar 10, 2021 12:03 AM EST

Filed Under: WandaVision

WandaVision left us with a lot of questions each week, and those commercials definitely generated their fair share of speculation online. Many fans were convinced that they somehow tied into the Infinity Stones, while others argued that these hints about what was really going on were the work of whoever was pulling the strings (we'd later learn that was the Scarlet Witch, and not some mysterious big bad).

Whether it was teasing the bomb that hit young Wanda and Pietro Maximoff's apartment, HYDRA, or someone wanting to steal the Scarlet Witch's magic, the commercials were extremely intriguing.

What did they mean? WandaVision director Matt Shakman has finally shed some light on that.

"I don't want to spoil anybody's fabulous theories, because there are some amazing theories out there," Shakman told Kevin Smith on his Fatman Beyond podcast. "It was a way to trickle out some of the bigger questions of the show, history of Wanda, of course. Stark toasters, Strücker watches, Hydra bath soak, Lagos, and so on. They also worked thematically as well. The shark and the poor kid on the desert island."

"So up for interpretation, of course, but they had the same actors in all of them for a reason. Same idea, that everything was iterated in this world and Wanda just decided those two lovely townspeople needed to be cast permanently in the ads," he continued. "That was pretty much it. There's nothing to do with Infinity Stones really."

These comments definitely go some way towards explaining what the deal was with these commercials, and if nothing else, it was fitting for a sitcom to have ads sandwiched between each half. Having them play into the overarching theme of the series, and Wanda's story, ultimately made perfect sense.

Click on the "Next" button below for our
ranking of every episode of WandaVision!

9. "Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience"

The first episode of WandaVision was a great sitcom, that's for sure, but it was also extremely short, with only the vaguest of hints about what was really going on.

The fact a S.W.O.R.D. agent (who we'd later learn was Darcy) was watching the action on an old-fashioned TV was a nice hook, though, and you can't fault Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany for how brilliantly they committed to their roles here. The dinner with the Harts was also a nice way to tease that not all was as it seemed in the town of Westview.

Ultimately, the impact of this opening episode may have been lost on anyone without an affinity for classic sitcoms like The Dick Van Dyke Show, but it was still a damn good piece of television.

8. "Breaking the Fourth Wall"

At this point in the season, it started to feel like Marvel Studios was just phoning in the sitcom side of things, and this take on Modern Family was underwhelming, to say the least.

Vision's journey with Darcy felt mostly unnecessary, and this was probably the closest we got to a "filler" episode from WandaVision as we neared the finale. It certainly wasn't bad, though, and when you take into account that it featured Monica Rambeau's superhero origin story and that big Agatha Harkness reveal, it certainly didn't disappoint in terms of big moments.

We just wish it had committed a little more to what the title promised. Still, it gave us "Agatha All Along," and for that, we're going to be eternally grateful.

7. "Now in Color"

Another episode that was almost all sitcom, your mileage may have varied with the story of Wanda Maximoff giving birth to Tommy and Billy. The weirdness with the Avenger's powers was certainly compelling, though some were disappointed by just how quickly this pregnancy played out.

However, it was also at this stage in proceedings we started getting some big hints about the weirdness in Westview, and that mention of Ultron (and Quicksilver) caught our attention immediately.

Throw in the reveal that Wanda was more in control than we realised, and "Geraldine" being thrown out of the energy field surrounding the town, and this episode nicely moved us into the next part of the season.

6. "Don't Touch That Dial"

We're definitely glad this episode premiered alongside the first, as Marvel Studios may have struggled to hook viewers had this been all they got after tuning in for a second week.

Yes, it was a great sitcom (how could you not enjoy the magic show?), but it didn't really do much to explain the premise of a series which was still extremely mysterious at this point. There were some fantastic teases - many of which led to those Mephisto theories - and the world becoming colourful in those final few minutes, along with that rewind, was seriously intriguing.

However, we'd still like to know what exactly became of that "beekeeper" at Wanda's hands...

5. "We Interrupt This Program"

Four episodes in, and WandaVision ditched the sitcoms to finally shed some light on events. Picking up with Monica Rambeau during "The Blip," we were quickly taken to S.W.O.R.D., and caught up with fan-favourites like Jimmy Woo and Darcy Lewis (who was now a doctor).

The Westview anomaly may have received a name in the "Hex," but this episode left us with more questions than answers, no bad thing at this still quite early stage in proceedings for the series.

Wanda leaving her idyllic home to threaten S.W.O.R.D. was definitely a big moment, and we should have realised then that it wasn't Nightmare or Mephisto who were in charge of those sitcoms. Throw in that horrific shot of a dead Vision, and if you weren't hooked by now, you'd never be.

4. "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!"

This was the one fans who'd spent years hoping to see Olsen don that comic accurate Scarlet Witch costume had been waiting for. Throw in the fact that we also got to see authentic takes on Vision and Quicksilver, not to mention some big Speed and Wiccan teases, and this was an absolute blast.

Taking inspiration from Malcolm in the Middle resulted in one of the best sitcom episodes to date, and while it was clear something wasn't quite right with "Pietro," it sure was fun getting to see the talented Evan Peters having a blast as the speedster.

Vision's investigation into what was really happening in the town was very intriguing, though, as we started learning more about how Wanda was managing to live out her dream sitcom reality.

3. "On a Very Special Episode..."

This was definitely a special episode of WandaVision. Introducing us to the child versions of Billy and Tommy, things started getting even stranger in Westview, especially as the twins could age themselves up (something that was never really explained by the time the series concluded).

Vision's suspicions about his surroundings continued to grow, and his confrontation with Wanda at the end of the episode really was Bettany at his best. Revealing that he had no memories of his life before arriving in the town, it was hard not to feel for the clearly terrified synthezoid as he argued with his wife.

That last-minute reveal with Evan Peters showing up at the door as Wanda's "stinkin' brother" was an absolute jaw-dropper of a moment that spawned a billion different fan theories.

2. "The Series Finale"

We know this wasn't to everyone's liking, and much of that probably boils down to the fact WandaVision didn't feature a huge cameo or really pay off any of the major fan theories we all had.

Look past that, though, and Wanda's transformation into the Scarlet Witch was incredible, as was Vision's battle with the real, now white, Vision. The farewell to Tommy and Billy was heartbreaking, as was Wanda and Vision's final moments together before the Hex came down and he vanished.

Throw in a couple of huge post-credits scenes, and this proved to be one helluva finale.

1. "Previously On"

This may have been something of a diversion for the Disney+ series, but exploring Wanda's past and learning more about who she really is means we now have the Scarlet Witch we've been waiting for.

The trip down memory lane answered a bunch of questions, including how the Hex was created, what brought Agatha to the town, and Vision's "creation." There was also a terrific post-credits scene with the white Vision that left our jaws on the floor and had us all counting down the seconds to the finale.

The storytelling here was excellent, and arguably showed WandaVision at its finest.

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147 Comments

1 2 3 4

zedkate - 3/10/2021, 1:08 AM

The more Matt Shakman talks, the more I hate him...

Kumkani - 3/10/2021, 1:18 AM

@zedkate - There's literally nothing wrong with what he's said here

Rosraf - 3/10/2021, 1:50 AM

@zedkate - Hate is a bit strong. But with each interview, it does seem there was less and less thought put into the show.

Mrtoke - 3/10/2021, 2:10 AM

@zedkate - you are small minded

zedkate - 3/10/2021, 2:29 AM

@Mrtoke @Kumkani - Yeah, I kinda hate him (or hate the medium that fooled us around for a year).
He does very good job, don't get me wrong. But when he said that the Quicksilver twist was inspired by Iron Man 3 bc he wanted to troll the fans and filp the "expectations", I get mad.
I'm not a fan of fan theories about Mephisto or anything else but as a director, HE SHOULD LET THE TALK and not bashing it and calling everything he sees bullshit.
Maybe, I'm still upset about the finale, maybe.

dracula - 3/10/2021, 1:08 AM

Just finished it. First 2 episodes were kind of iffy but after that much better. Finally could have had a bit more story, but as an ending to a full story instead of just an episode, its good.

Hopefully the directors of Captain Marvel 2 follow Sam Raimi’s lead and make the films in a way that you dont have to watch the show though

bobevanz - 3/10/2021, 1:10 AM

Never thought the commercials had anything to do with infinity stones, crazy reach lol anyways it was a great finale! Except for the D joke

DaHyro - 3/10/2021, 1:12 AM

Man.. the idea of Fox QS joining the MCU is so cool.. just the idea of him trying to find his Xavier only to stumble upon an all new version of his X-Men could’ve really been something. He could’ve been like the audience’s POV character.

They really should have just used Aaron Taylor-Johnson.. i wonder why he didn’t come back?

1 2 3 4

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WANDAVISION Director Explains The Show's Commercials, And Your Fan Theories Are All Wrong

The commercials which played during the sitcom episodes of WandaVision spawned plenty of fan theories, but director Matt Shakman has now explained their meaning, and the role they played in the series...

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8. "Breaking the Fourth Wall"

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2. "The Series Finale"

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