WandaVision breaking the female hero stereotype
By Cindy Zhao Apr. 28, 2021
When Tracy Hall, Math Department, turns on her TV, it is usually playing children’s shows. Hall has two very young children—a one-year-old and a three-year-old. It is not until they go to bed that she gets to enjoy her favorite Netflix shows with her husband. Recently, they have been staying up on Friday nights to watch the new Marvel television miniseries WandaVision, which started airing in January 2021.
WandaVision takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), in the world after “Avengers: Endgame.” Based on the Marvel Comics superheroes Scarlet Witch, or Wanda, the story has one main conflict: Vision, the love of Wanda’s life, was killed off in “Avengers: Infinity War.” The Vision in WandaVision is actually created by Wanda with her magic, as she attempts to process her grief. Thus, despite its name, the show is more focused on Wanda, which Hall appreciates.
“Due to the pandemic, we never got the Black Widow movie. I was craving a Marvel-based creation with a strong female lead. The actress, Elizabeth Olsen, is fantastic, and I am able to connect with her,” Hall said.
Hall notes that the characters of Black Widow and Scarlet Witch seem to be from different generations of Marvel superheroes. Black Widow’s image is more representative of the stereotypical female superhero, who dresses in tight leather jumpsuits and has consistently appeared in films as a side character. Due to limited screen time, her full backstory is never fully introduced. Meanwhile, Wanda is seen in more comfortable clothing, and Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful Avengers, able to destroy an infinity stone.
“We have entered this new age, where more ‘ordinary’ female superheroes are taking the spotlight.”
“We have entered this new age, where more ‘ordinary’ female superheroes are taking the spotlight. I would rather my daughter want to be Wanda over Black Widow,” Hall said.
In WandaVision, Wanda’s magic transformed her town into one modeled after the sitcoms she grew up loving. Each episode takes on a different theme in Wanda’s self-made bubble.
“Previous Marvel TV shows never felt weighty enough. I appreciate that WandaVision has a storyline that I can foresee being significant in the MCU later on,” Hall said.
Whether it was the charm of Wanda’s character, the charisma of Elizabeth Olsen or the strength of the storyline, one thing is clear: Marvel succeeded in creating something unique to garner audience buy-in for TV Marvel.
About the Contributor
Cindy Zhao
Lifestyle Editor
Cindy Zhao is a junior and the Lifestyle editor. She likes to take pictures of anything that catches her eye and occasionally publishes bad writing on her blog. Junior year is terrifying for her; all they want to do is read all day. They are also severely sleep deprived. Beware.
Comments