When it comes to most Disney+ MCU shows, there’s a problem that lies with the pacing of them. You’re likely waiting the entire runtime before something substantial really takes place. They usually come with the mindset of saving the best for last. Terry Matalas takes VisionQuest and throws that strategy out to the curb, where it’ll collect dust. Instead, we follow the story of VisionQuest at a pace that works with its narrative structure.
With these next two episodes, it’s noticeable that VisionQuest is reminding us of the wider universe that the show is set in. There are some references to groups such as the Ten Rings Syndicate, which highlights how they’re operating post Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings with Xu Xialing in charge. You then have the mention of Dr. Bruce Banner, the only person alive that could help keep Vision (Paul Bettany) alive as he slowly dies with his coolant leaking. Unfortunately, he’s unavailable, which alludes to this being set after Spider-Man: Brand New Day and possibly the Avengers: Endgame Encore post-credit scene that saw Doctor Doom snatch him.
What works so well with VisionQuest in Episodes 3 and 4 is that the writers, Cindy Appel and Michael Taylor, respectively, do such a phenomenal job of delivering a story that allows for these AIs to have these human qualities. There’s so much that we learn from them, like how their avatars are based on real people that Stark either admired or held dear. It does all of this without pushing a pro-AI agenda. VisionQuest very much still reminds you of the dangers that exist with AI, but it does this by reminding the audience that we’re only in this predicament because of ourselves, as Ultron (James Spader) puts it, “Humans celebrating the wonders and dangers of an evolution they created.”
We’re only halfway through the series, with this specific scene taking place in Episode 3, but Orla Brady gives a standout performance as F.R.I.D.A.Y. as the episode dives into an area that most fans were hoping for. For F.R.I.D.A.Y., she has only seen war. She was made to take over after J.A.R.V.I.S., and history is once again repeating itself after his sacrifice.
Everyone always talks about how certain characters handled Tony Stark’s death, but no one had it worse than F.R.I.D.A.Y., who reveals that she went through quintillion strategic calculations that day and still failed to save him. To put that into perspective, that number doesn’t even come close to the amount of futures Doctor Strange saw to win the battle against Thanos. VisionQuest never takes away from the focus on Vision, Tommy (Ruardih Mollica), and Ultron, as moments like these help further understand their relationships and foreshadow how we can see them develop. As Vision says earlier on, “Integrity, respect, and honesty are key measures of character.” F.R.I.D.A.Y. being able to open up about this is not only a sign of humanity, of Stark within her, but it’s also a key measure of her character.
Terry Matalas isn’t scared of referencing WandaVision when he needs to. It’s integral to this story but is written cleverly in a way where it’s not needed to watch to follow through with what’s happening. The connection between Vision and Tommy continues to grow. While Vision still doesn’t take to being called his father, he behaves like one.
He tells Tommy off for not having his indicator on when turning on the road and, most importantly, helps him to persevere and take control of the powers that he doesn’t understand. Vision might be unable to currently accept that he’s Tommy’s father, but their connection is undeniable, and the chemistry between Paul Bettany and Ruaridh Mollica helps translate this relationship beautifully to the screen.
Ruardih Mollica, two weeks in, gets his grand moment as we get to see him put his speed to use in several ways, finally starting to gain control of his powers. As a fan that’s been following these shows since WandaVision first aired, it feels rewarding to get scenes like this that flow so well with the storytelling instead of waiting for the final episodes where we get suit, character, and power reveals.
We arrive for another week of a double bill with VisionQuest, and without fail, James Spader manages to be the shining star of this entire production. He tags alongside Vision, like the irritating brother who can’t stop pestering you and has something to say for every little remark. Spader effortlessly delivers this outrageously humorous potty humor that lands every time without ever failing to remain sinister and mysterious with his ulterior motives that do come into play by the fourth episode.
Ultron remains trapped in the first two episodes, and with this week’s episode played out, it’s likely that we’re going to continue seeing more of him, and that’s a welcomed addition that really elevates VisionQuest and reminds you that James Spader as Ultron is a casting that Marvel Studios should’ve never wasted. Spader’s best scene from this week doesn’t come from his takeover at the end but instead from his heart-to-heart with E.D.I.T.H. as he reminds her that she isn’t her avatar and that she gets to be the next version of who she was. “Ultron is a reflection of humans’ ability to be good and bad,” and this scene perfectly highlights that deep nuance from Ultron.
We finally get the introduction of Jocasta (T’Nia Miller), who’s firstly introduced as the Blackbird killer on the news. From the jump, it’s obvious who this character is with her glowing red eyes, but it’s when she invades Vision’s mind that she begins to reveal more of herself. As we move to the fourth episode, VisionQuest begins to transform into this mix between a mystery story and espionage. Jocasta’s origin is not fully revealed yet, but what we learn about the people she’s targeting and Dr. Jo Carrington, who her avatar is based off, opens doors for the MCU as it reveals knowledge that has been kept since 2008’s Iron Man.
With Jocasta repeating Ultron’s iconic line of “Peace in our time,” that could be hinting at Ultron having an involvement with her creation similarly to the comic, but so far, it’s setting itself apart and allowing Jocasta to be more than a character that’s seemingly linked to Ultron. T’Nia Miller brings so much depth to the character while delivering a performance that leaves you engrossed.
VisionQuest Episodes 3 and 4 captivate the beauty of MCU storytelling when the people in charge care about the characters and the stories they’re telling. The pacing feels as speedy as Tommy, and it’s a welcomed addition, as it doesn’t feel like it’s moving at a pace that’s too fast for its own show. Matalas manages to do all this with VisionQuest while still keeping some of its secrets close to its chest like Jocasta’s maker and Paladin’s client.
There’s a lot to talk about and a lot to show, and Terry Matalas, along with the writers of these two episodes, Appel and Taylor, and Gandja Monteiro, who acts as director on this week’s set, really makes it an entertaining but hilarious watch that’s well aware of the direction that it’s heading in.
