WandaVision's Sitcom Theme Finally Explained

If you haven't been watching "WandaVision" on Disney+ there are a couple likely reasons: you don't subscribe to Disney+, you don't like Marvel or you think that the show's slapstick sitcom theme looked stupid.

Believe me. I hear you. Initially, I didn't want anything to do with "WandaVision" because I'm generally not a fan of sitcoms, and I thought that the trailer and promotional spots leading up to the debut episode didn't do the show any favors. I've since changed my stance, as you can read in my "First Impressions" blog, and I've actually thoroughly enjoyed "WandaVision," for the most part. Admittedly, not all episodes have been home runs, but if you've been patient enough to stick with it, I think the show has taken the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an interesting direction that sets future movies and programming down a very interesting path.

If you're still not sold on the idea because you're either hesitant to start watching in the first place or because you watched the first episode or two and hated the black-and-white shenanigans, some good news came in Episode 8. They finally explained what was up with all the sitcoms.

Be warned: major spoilers for "WandaVision" will follow, so, as always, only keep reading if you're caught up with the show or truly don't care.

Episode 8 ("Previously On") took a break from the set-in-a-sitcom scenario in which "WandaVision" has typically taken place, and instead, as the name suggests, featured a series of flashbacks into Wanda's life, as a potential means of explaining how she developed the immense power it took to create the fictional suburbia of Westview.

We came to learn that TV time with the family was a meaningful aspect of life in the Maximoff home. Wartime Sokovia was a pretty depressing place. I mean, at one point, Mrs. Maximoff looks out the window and sees a shootout taking place in the streets right below their apartment. Taking time as a family to sit down and laugh at the television was a good way to not only take their minds off the violence but also practice their English.

During the first flashback, a case of DVDs is shown, with the following TV series inside:

• Bewitched
• I Love Lucy
• Malcolm in the Middle
• I Dream of Jeannie
• The Addams Family
• Who's the Boss?

Ultimately, the family decides to watch an old re-run of "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

Later on in Episode 8, Wanda is shown at the Age of Ultron HYDRA facility, re-watching an episode of "The Brady Bunch." In another flashback, which would have likely taken place around the time of Captain America: Civil War, Wanda (and later, Vision) get a few laughs out of an episode of "Malcolm in the Middle." Wanda uses this moment to teach Vision about slapstick comedy.

Other sitcoms that have been heavily parodied throughout the course of Season 1 include "Full House" (Episode 5) and "Modern Family" (Episode 7), as well as the theme from "The Munsters," which influenced the catchiest song of the season during one major reveal.

Episode 8 shows Wanda arriving in Westview, a place where she planned on moving with Vision so they could grow old together, and collapsing from grief (not unlike what she did after the death of her brother in Age of Ultron) as she realized that their goal was now unattainable. The radiating burst of "Chaos Magic" somewhat unintentionally turned Westview into Wanda's ideal version of the classic American neighborhood, based on the old TV shows that helped her deal with a tough childhood, growing up.

*****

So there you have it. Does that help the show make any more sense? Are you liking "WandaVision"? Still hating it? I have a couple ex-coworkers who are die-hard Marvel fans - like, everything-Marvel-touches-turns-to-gold-and-DC-sucks-worse-than-anything die-hard Marvel fans - and I've been surprised to hear that they're still not sold on this show. Crazy.

What have been your favorite sitcom references and Easter eggs so far? What are your theories and hot takes? And don't tell me you knew it was Agatha All Along, because I had never heard that name until literally the night before Episode 7, so if you tell me you knew that the entire time, I simply don't believe you.

Oh, also, if anyone knows where Dottie is or what she's been up to, let me know because... #WheresDottie?

Anyway, let us know what you think in the comments section below, on Twitter (here and here) or look me up on Facebook.

Until next time,