Disney+ WandaVision Trailer

[John Johnson]

[Monterey Jack]

I have to admit...that's intriguing.

[AndyDursin]

Marvel Does PLEASANTVILLE!

Not being strapped to the formula of a typical feature might make for a better chance of entertainment though. I'll check it out. Vision was always my favorite Avenger growing up.

[Monterey Jack]

First two eps are up. Very stylish, very amusing, and with plenty of mystery as to just what the hell is going on to chew on until next week. Elizabeth Olsen kinda looks hot in B&W.

I must admit, I kind of like seeing shows that actually make you wait between episodes, instead of the typical Netflix "Pump & Dump" strategy, where everyone binges a full season in two or three days and has basically stopped talking about it a week later.

[AndyDursin]

I have no problem with that either. Even when there's a "bingeable" show we usually just do an episode every few days mostly.

[Monterey Jack]

I have no problem with that either. Even when there's a "bingeable" show we usually just do an episode every few days mostly.

A few people are complaining about how they have to wait, how "Nothing happens!" in the first two eps, and it only makes me acutely aware of how old I am, to remember a not-too-distant era hen EVERY show forced you to wait at least a week between eps. Shows like The X-Files and Lost, which teased out long-form mysteries over the course of YEARS, would have most people under the age of 25 gnawing their own feet off in frustration today.

Still, this actually makes a show more intriguing, allowing fans a more intense ongoing conversation about the show, instead of gulping it all down in one or two marathon sittings, discussing it for a day or two afterwards, and then it falling out of the public's consciousness a week later. Look at Stranger Things, how fervent the anticipation for season 3, and after it dropped on the 4th of July in 2019, it was essentially "done" in people's minds by July 10th. It's the difference between lingering over and savoring a good meal, as opposed to bolting it down as fast as possible.

[AndyDursin]

I agree, though it is also true the way some of these series are MOSTLY produced now, it's not like a 22 episode network show that we grew up with that would run from September through the spring. Something like STRANGER THINGS is basically like a, what, 8 hour movie? The "episodes" on that aren't even like episodes -- it's just one long, continuous story being told chopped up into 8 parts. In a way I guess I can't fault someone for just wanting the whole thing spilled out in one or two large parts.

But that's not usually what we do, and not every show functions that way -- which is why it's good not to overindulge. There is something to be said for a "once a week" check-in series so there's always something to look forward to. COBRA KAI is awesome but we've waited so long for Season 3 that there's no way I'm running through it all inside of a week.

[Monterey Jack]

Episode #4 had lots of info to chew on. Also nice to see Kat Dennings in the MCU again.

[Edmund Kattak]

Episode #4 had lots of info to chew on. Also nice to see Kat Dennings in the MCU again.

Yes, and I like that they brought back Randall Park in a less goofy manner than ANT-MAN AND THE WASP. Even though this episode dropped a lot of info on what's been happening in the previous three episodes, it didn't reveal everything yet. There are more questions again after the episode. I think they were smart to lay this out in such a way that it keeps you looking forward to the next episode - almost like The Sopranos used to on a weekly basis. I am not a fan of this "binge watching" approach. I'd like to have some time to digest and think about what went on. Some of these series that release the entire season have ruined the ability for me to have any long-term appreciation of it, causing me to never want to revisit it.

[jkholm]

I liked episode 4 too, much more than the previous three. Were the sitcom episodes supposed to be funny? I know there was a constant laugh track but was that meant to be ironic? Or did I just not find anything humorous? I was impressed by the production and costume design. They certainly captured the look of these old shows but not the humor.

I'm also in agreement that the one episode a week model is preferable to binge watching. Even though I'm mixed so far, it's nice to have something to look forward to watching on a Friday night.

[AndyDursin]

I actually did finish this -- I was disappointed even a pretty good venture like WANDAVISION couldn't resist indulging in commercial "set up" for other Marvel movies/shows in the final episode. It's why the Disney branch of the "Marvel Universe" has always felt like one big TV series to me. Their entire concept is predicated on introducing and cultivating built-in promotion for "the next thing" as much as they try and tell a story that should be more self-contained. Here's another example of this, but they just can't help themselves. (The worst of it was the 30-minute SPIDER-MAN commercial inserted into that IRON MAN sequel...which was it, 3?)

Outside of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, which pretty much exist "out there" in their own bubble, these movies and now series all kind of operate on the same basic level. The formula both "works" and is stifling at the same time.

[AndyDursin]

[Monterey Jack]