5 Years Later, 'VisionQuest' Officially Fixes 'WandaVision's Disappointing Ending

Five years have passed since WandaVision captivated viewers with its unique sitcom-inspired storylines. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, which had previously been criticized for its formulaic, hero's journey narratives, was challenged by the show's creative approach. Each episode of WandaVision saw the titular characters, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, experiencing life through different sitcom eras, ranging from the 1950s to early 2000s.

However, the finale left much to be desired, devolving into standard MCU fare with typical action sequences. Now, VisionQuest has provided a much-needed resolution to the story, fulfilling what WandaVision's conclusion should have been — nearly six years later.

In VisionQuest's eight-episode series finale, writer Terry Matalas delivers a high-stakes sci-fi narrative that diverges from the sitcom format that made WandaVision so captivating. While the earlier episodes included a brief mention of Ultron (James Spader) having a fascination for television, this aspect is not expanded upon. Instead, VisionQuest focuses on a more traditional Marvel approach, with elements reminiscent of classic movies rather than the groundbreaking storytelling of WandaVision.

The series finale reveals that Ultron, trapped within Vision's mind for nearly a decade following the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, has spent that time watching American television in a virtual reality loft created by Vision. When Ultron's creator, Jocasta (T'Nia Miller), is killed by a human named Virgil Horton (James Spader), Ultron is freed and resumes his plan to eradicate humanity. To save the world, Vision utilizes Ultron's knowledge of television to trap him in a simulation of a typical multi-camera sitcom.

The simulation, titled UltraVision, features Vision as a family-oriented dad, E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire) as his daughter, and Ultron as the grumpy father figure. This cheesy show is filled with corny catchphrases and a lively studio audience. E.D.I.T.H. even exclaims "Sitcom entrance!" as she joins the proceedings, much to the delight of the audience.

Vision's attempt to teach Ultron about grief through a familiar sitcom trope — a beloved pet dying — is ultimately foiled when Ultron bluntly declares "Sparkles is dead, roll credits," bringing the simulation to an abrupt end.

Despite this unfortunate turn of events, VisionQuest manages to deliver a meta commentary on the sitcom genre through its clever use of a fast-paced montage of 500 episodes. The series playfully parodies the tropes and clichés of the medium, much like iconic sitcoms of the past. By comparing the finale to other meta sitcoms, VisionQuest demonstrates that it is not just a simple resolution to WandaVision; it is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of revisiting familiar tropes in innovative ways.