Episode 8 of WandaVision, “Previously On,” delves deep into Wanda Maximoff’s traumatic past, offering a profoundly emotional explanation for the creation of the Hex and its inhabitants. While not a direct adaptation of any single comic book storyline, the episode draws heavily from various sources, particularly “Vision Quest,” “House of M,” and elements from “Avengers Disassembled,” to explore Wanda’s grief, trauma, and inherent magical abilities.
Wanda’s Origin Story: A Tapestry of Influences
Episode 8 functions as an origin story, but not in the traditional superhero mold. Instead, it’s a character study, piecing together fragmented memories to reveal the psychological and magical bedrock upon which WandaVision is built. Agatha Harkness, the primary antagonist, forces Wanda to relive key moments from her past, exposing the raw pain that fuels her chaos magic. This exploration draws heavily on established comic book lore but remixes it for the MCU.
The Sokovia Tragedy and Exposure to the Mind Stone
The episode revisits Wanda’s childhood trauma in Sokovia, showcasing the bombing that claimed her parents’ lives. This aligns with her established backstory, but the episode adds a crucial detail: the Stark Industries bomb was labeled with the Maximoff family name. This is a clever nod to the comics, where the Maximoffs were often linked to Magneto (a connection downplayed in the MCU due to rights issues), and serves to personalize the tragedy. More importantly, the revelation of the Mind Stone’s influence adds a new layer of complexity. The stone seemingly amplified Wanda’s dormant powers, foreshadowing her later abilities as the Scarlet Witch. This idea, while touched upon earlier, is solidified in this episode.
HYDRA Experiments and the Dawn of the Scarlet Witch
Wanda and Pietro’s participation in HYDRA experiments, a plot point established in Avengers: Age of Ultron, is further explored. However, Episode 8 crucially focuses on Wanda’s unique reaction to the Mind Stone. While other subjects perished, Wanda survived and exhibited extraordinary powers. This scene is not a direct adaptation of a specific comic, but it echoes the broader theme of Wanda’s exceptional nature, a recurring motif in her comic book history. This is where the foundations for her ultimate destiny as the Scarlet Witch, as later confirmed by Agatha Harkness, are truly laid.
The Vision Connection: From Lab to Loss
The episode then moves onto Wanda’s relationship with Vision, revealing their evolving connection and the shared grief that ultimately led to the creation of the Hex. These scenes, while original to the MCU, capture the essence of their complex and often tragic romance as depicted in the comics. The flashbacks to Vision’s death at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War are particularly impactful, serving as the catalyst for Wanda’s breakdown and the subsequent creation of the Westview anomaly.
The Scarlet Witch: A Destined Title
The revelation of Wanda’s true identity as the Scarlet Witch is perhaps the most significant moment in the episode. Agatha Harkness explains that Wanda’s power exceeds anything she has ever encountered, and that she is destined for great things. This moment is not a direct lift from any single comic but is heavily influenced by the broader mythology surrounding the Scarlet Witch, including her potential to warp reality and her status as a Nexus Being, a character who can alter the course of the universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About WandaVision Episode 8
Here are some frequently asked questions about the influences and implications of Episode 8 of WandaVision:
Q1: Is Agatha Harkness’s description of Wanda as the Scarlet Witch taken directly from the comics?
A: No, the specific wording and presentation are original to the MCU, but the underlying concept of Wanda’s immense power and her role as the Scarlet Witch are heavily inspired by her comic book counterpart. The comics have established the Scarlet Witch as a being of immense power, capable of altering reality itself, and the MCU is now embracing this aspect of her character.
Q2: Did the comics ever show Wanda being directly influenced by the Mind Stone?
A: While the comics don’t explicitly detail Wanda’s powers originating solely from the Mind Stone, they have explored the idea of cosmic energies amplifying her latent abilities. Episode 8 establishes the Mind Stone as a crucial catalyst in the MCU, but it doesn’t entirely negate the possibility of pre-existing magical potential.
Q3: What are the implications of Wanda being a “Nexus Being?”
A: In the comics, Nexus Beings are rare individuals who serve as anchors to their respective realities. Their actions can have profound consequences for the entire multiverse. The MCU hasn’t fully explored this concept yet, but Agatha’s reference suggests that Wanda’s powers could have far-reaching effects beyond Westview and even beyond her reality. This could tie into future MCU projects exploring the multiverse.
Q4: Is the grief experienced by Wanda in Episode 8 similar to any comic book storylines?
A: Absolutely. The episode echoes the themes of loss and despair prevalent in storylines like “Avengers Disassembled” and “House of M,” where Wanda’s grief over the loss of her children leads to devastating consequences. While the specifics differ, the underlying theme of Wanda being driven to the brink by overwhelming emotional trauma is consistent.
Q5: Does Vision’s death in Infinity War mirror his death in the comics?
A: While both versions depict Vision’s demise, the circumstances are different. In the comics, Vision has been “killed” and rebuilt multiple times, often with drastic changes to his personality and memories. Thanos’s act of ripping the Mind Stone from Vision’s head is a unique cinematic depiction.
Q6: What is Chaos Magic, and how does it relate to Wanda’s powers?
A: Chaos Magic is a powerful and unpredictable form of magic associated with the Scarlet Witch in the comics. It allows her to manipulate reality on a grand scale. Episode 8 implies that Wanda’s abilities are directly linked to Chaos Magic, explaining the instability and uncontrolled nature of the Hex.
Q7: Did Wanda ever accidentally create her children, Billy and Tommy, in the comics?
A: Yes, the comic book storyline “Vision Quest” deals with the disturbing revelation that Billy and Tommy were created using fragments of Mephisto’s soul. This origin is drastically different from the MCU version, but the core concept of Wanda using her powers to create her children remains consistent.
Q8: Is there a comic book storyline where Wanda has to relive her past traumas?
A: Not exactly in the same forced manner as depicted by Agatha in the show. However, several storylines explore Wanda’s troubled past through flashbacks and dream sequences, highlighting the psychological toll of her experiences. For instance, “Avengers Disassembled” prominently features Wanda grappling with suppressed memories and emotions.
Q9: How does Episode 8 change our understanding of Wanda’s powers in the MCU?
A: Episode 8 elevates Wanda’s status from a powerful mutant to a being of immense magical potential, potentially surpassing even Doctor Strange. It establishes her as a key figure in the MCU’s future, with the power to shape reality and potentially influence the fate of the multiverse.
Q10: What is the significance of the Westview anomaly, and is it based on any specific comic event?
A: The Westview anomaly, or the Hex, is a direct manifestation of Wanda’s grief and her uncontrolled Chaos Magic. While not a direct adaptation, it shares thematic similarities with “House of M,” where Wanda creates a distorted reality to cope with the loss of her children.
Q11: Will the events of Episode 8 have long-term consequences for Wanda’s character arc in the MCU?
A: Undoubtedly. The episode’s exploration of Wanda’s trauma and the revelation of her Scarlet Witch identity set the stage for a significant transformation. She is likely to grapple with the ramifications of her actions in Westview and her newfound power, potentially leading her down a path of either heroism or villainy.
Q12: Does Episode 8 suggest that Wanda is inherently evil?
A: No. While Wanda’s actions in Westview have caused harm, the episode emphasizes that she is driven by grief and trauma, not malice. She’s a complex character struggling to cope with unimaginable loss, and her actions are a manifestation of her pain rather than inherent evil. The episode paints a picture of a flawed but ultimately sympathetic character who is struggling to control powers far beyond her understanding.