This article contains spoilers for WandaVision.
WandaVision has been quite the unexpected rollercoaster so far, with twists and turns coming from all directions in each episode.
And it is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon as episode five just took things to a whole new level with the introduction of a character which changes everything we know about the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The surprise has left us and others screaming ‘what does it all mean’ at our televisions, so let’s try and unpack it.
Quicksilver Arrives, But It Isn’t The Quicksilver We Were Expecting
Marvel Studios
The arrival of Wanda’s brother Pietro, better know by his superhero name Quicksilver, was expected given that he was heavily namedropped in episode three.
Also with Wanda seemingly resurrecting Vision, that opened up the possibility of Pietro’s return seeing that in WandaVision the dead can in ways come back to life in this strange reality.
Episode five further teased the arrival of Pietro when Wanda’s sons Tommy and Billy asked about her brother, with their mother replying “he’s far away from here, and that makes me sad sometimes.”
Marvel Studios
Following the death of the family’s new dog Sparky, Wanda tells her boys that she can’t reverse death “no matter how sad this makes us”.
Now, she’s either lying here in an attempt to teach her children about death, or Wanda is telling the truth, which seems more likely given that it is further implied in this episode she is puppeteering Vision’s lifeless body (he is very much still dead).
With the foreshadowing complete, the doorbell rings and there stands Quicksilver… but not the version fans may have been expecting.
Marvel Studios
In the door stands actor Evan Peters, not Avengers: Age Of Ultron’s Quicksilver Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Peters of course played Quicksilver in Fox’s X-Men movies which previously existed out of the MCU canon, hence his introduction has quite the impact.
Wanda herself seems rather shocked by the arrival as Peters’ Pietro goes in for a hug, whilst back at the S.W.O.R.D. base Darcy acknowledges the change in actor commenting that Wanda has “recast” him.
Naturally the episode ends there leaving us all with a massive cliffhanger and many, many questions. One thing is for certain though, this will have massive implications for the MCU.
How Has This All Happened? Is It Wanda’s Doing?
20th Century Fox
Well, that’s the main question that episode five leaves us with. How has Fox’s Quicksilver ended up in the MCU? Which of course ties to the question is Wanda in control?
This is something fans have been debating since episode one with many clues indicating that it is all Wanda’s doing, but crucially at the end of episode five with Pietro’s arrival, she tells Vision that she didn’t cause that doorbell to ring.
Now, she could indeed be lying to try in an attempt to keep Vision on her side and within this reality she now calls home. Or, what is more likely is that there is someone else helping to pull the strings… a villain who is yet to reveal themselves (there have been hints towards both Mephisto and Agatha Harkness).
Marvel Studios
Wanda’s shocked reaction to the doorbell and her insistence that she is not responsible all feels rather genuine.
Also why would she recast her brother? If this reality has been triggered by her grief, surely she would bring back the original version of Pietro, not a substitute?
Either there’s another force at play who is manipulating events, or Wanda has somehow subconsciously pulled this Quicksilver from another universe into the MCU which is very possible.
Marvel Studios
Whilst she can puppet the lifeless body of Vision, he is a synthezoid not a human. Wanda can’t exactly do that with the dead body of Taylor-Johnson’s Pietro, hence she has potentially brought in another version after being reminded of him.
It could also be possible that it is merely an illusion, and just an Easter egg for fans. We know that Wanda’s powers means she can play with perceptions, making the characters and therefore the audience see things, so Peters as Quicksilver may not be real at all.
This is unlikely though considering the MCU is definitely opening up the multiverse in the future, with both the upcoming Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness and Spider-Man 3 (although this is still based on rumours) focusing on this.
Marvel Studios
And with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirming that WandaVision has ties to the Doctor Strange sequel, it would make sense to open the multiverse in the show with Multiverse Of Madness then exploring it further.
All of which means Peters’ Quicksilver is real, and here to stay.
Does This Mean More X-Men Will Arrive?
20th Century Fox
With this being the first time one of Fox’s X-Men actors has played the same role in the MCU, it really has opened up wide the door of possibility.
We have known for a while now that mutants will be entering the MCU at some point, with Feige revealing this in 2019, but what wasn’t know was whether it would be new characters or Fox’s X-Men… especially following Disney’s acquisition of Fox.
Peters’ arrival as Quicksilver now confirms that it is indeed the latter, which calls into question which other X-Men characters could pop up in the MCU.
Could we see Ian McKellen as Magneto? Hugh Jackman as Wolverine? The possibilities are endless, especially since we know more is coming with it being recently confirmed that Deadpool 3 will be set in the MCU.
What Does This Mean For The Future Of The MCU?
Marvel Studios
Opening up the door to both the multiverse and the arrival of more X-Men could turn the whole MCU upside down, and right now it is very unclear what the future holds for it.
The events could be setting up Wanda as the villain of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, with her meddling with the multiverse having serious consequences which leads to Scarlet Witch and the Sorcerer Supreme facing off against each other.
We saw in this episode that Wanda looks like she will be prepared to do anything to protect her “home”.
Marvel Studios
If more X-Men are introduced we could arrive at the moment in the House Of M comic storyline which saw Wanda utter “no more mutants”, leading to the vast majority of mutants losing their powers.
WandaVision has already drawn influence from House Of M so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the MCU go down the “no more mutants” road, especially since the arrival of Fox’s Quicksilver could be building towards the introduction of more X-Men.
Of course this is all speculation, but what is for certain is that WandaVision is clearly key to unlocking the future of the MCU.
WandaVision airs every Friday exclusively on Disney+.
