How the 'WandaVision' Choking Scene Helped Establish The Entire Series

Elizabeth Olsen, Matt Shakman, Tara DeMarco, and Mark Worthington discuss crafting Marvel's WandaVision in this episode of Variety's Making a Scene.
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[@theartist8291]

The AMOUNT of details is the a reason for the 23 Emmy nods, well deserved

[@kmaher1424]

Awards often fail to respect sf and fantasy. But Wanda also saluted Classic TV.

[@gotosleep2876]

oh my...23?! i hope they win a couple awards i really liked the show and also falcon and winter solider ☺️

[@CloroxBleach.]

wandavision won 3 emmy awards!!

[@EdolasMystogan]

@@kmaher1424 Yeah, sadly in the final primetime emmys, they got 0 awards as usual. The judges prefer their bland drama shows, fantasy and scifi is very icky...

[@kmaher1424]

@@EdolasMystogan I watched the award show. Everything for The Queen. Or Queens Gambit. Safe. (I watched The Queen early on but got bored. Nice production values-- US audiences eat that up. But I also enjoy clever writing.) I was also disappointed that Lovecraft Country was ignored.

[@sindel545]

Does anybody else realize that when Wanda becomes stressed, she magically choked the townsfolk in the final episodes? Great callback to the first episode when she was asked an uncomfortable question by Mr. Hart and subconsciously punished him for asking it.

[@muhammadfaisal5Y5]

I think the choking scene in the first episode was entirely unprecedented. Wanda cannot manipulate people's bodily functions so she had no control over it. It was also the first day of the hex so everything was perfectly under control which is why Vision didn't help until Wanda told him to do so. It can be said that at that point, the residents were like robots. They are programmed to do certain set of tasks so when a twist of events occur, they have no idea how to react to it so they do nothing.

[@kaitlyn4802]

Even the detail of Mrs. and Mr. Hart breaking through to tell Wanda "Stop it" and "Why are you doing this" is amazing.

[@wiinterflowers4277]

It perfectly summed up the grip Wanda had on the entire town.

[@wanda616]

My favorite MCU show so far. I've watched it hundreds of time. the performance, the themes, the script were just perfect to me.

[@esoteridactyl]

Love your avatar

[@wanda616]

@@esoteridactyl thank you😊

[@westberryjim]

Fav show of 2021. Perfection

[@trinaq]

I really admire how the cast and crew committed to using dated special effects that befitted the decade being lampooned, such as strings on all of the dishes, or obvious jump cuts.

[@shambhvilokre]

can you explain an example of such a jump cut ?

[@danielpereyra2290]

@@shambhvilokre when wanda transformed the chicken into eggs

[@callumdrage5889]

WandaVision was the perfect way to begin Phase Four of the MCU. Truly it set it out as a unique and completely new story from the first three phases. New techniques, new characters and a new start. I loved it! Still by far the best MCU Disney+ show yet!

[@dhurbssskhadka2551]

Wandavision really became the blueprint for any upcoming mcu shows. it just set the bar really high

[@bellaamaral1117]

i really miss this show :( cant wait to see wanda on doctor strange soon ❤️

[@lukav7348]

Do you think Agathas gonna be in the movie? I’m dying to watch Agnes and Wanda to fight again

[@mimicoffey1393]

@@lukav7348 I really hope so but I don't know, the movie already seems so full.

[@bellaamaral1117]

@@lukav7348 i dont think so, but im pretty sure shes gonna come back sometime. i dont think marvel would waste such a fun character

[@queenofnevers6990]

Same!

[@raffycaballero2248]

@@bellaamaral1117 marvel's ceo confirmed that agatha is coming back in a future project

[@Jadorelainie]

I hope this show transcends the test of time and it's own genre, because it truly deserves it. The script and the storytelling was really really good and then the themes it was about were very unique for the time and age it came out.

[@AkshayKumar-sd1mx]

I agree

[@sridevisudhahar309]

Exactly. I absolutely adore the nod to all the different styles of television as time progressed, you can see how much the team loved working on this too. It's brilliant.

[@duckymomo6675]

WandaVision is a wonderful show. I love it so much!

[@trinaq]

Me too, while I'm sad that there won't be a second season, I can't wait for Wanda's return in Doctor Strange 2!

[@Neojhun]

a Wandaful Show.

[@msdenise1234567]

What I love about the series too is how the story connects with the way the series is aired. The first episodes are actually sitcom length and when we realise it's fake it turns into a 45 minute drama series including the well known Marvel scene after credits.

[@jy1598]

hearing matt talking about the choking scene in detail was amazing

[@zafea9918]

The creativity of this show is insane. I would never thought to see superhero characters in a sitcom and they made it so interesting. Each and every episode is so damn good

[@gerrarddamons5470]

This show was so so good I've watched it twice

[@themultiverseproductions8492]

Only twice? That's rookie numbers

[@PJ-io8pl]

I was absolutely loving the show, and then the finale kind of brought it down a notch for me. I thought some of the answers to the mysteries were underwhelming, and it ended in a generic CGI battle. I do think COVID messed with the show a bit, though.

[@themultiverseproductions8492]

@@PJ-io8pl the finale was everything I expected and wanted. It made the show better for me

[@emmalee1374]

@@PJ-io8pl completely agree-the show was on such a solid high but the finale felt disappointing and messy to say the least, still my fav mcu disney+ show tho!

[@PJ-io8pl]

@@emmalee1374 Yeah, still probably my favorite show so far because it had the most heart and was emotionally resonant. And I loved the sitcom stuff. Too bad they didn’t stick the landing, because that finale sort of taints rewatches for me.

[@auggieb2681]

My mom has not liked anything in the MCU but after I watched Wandavision I knew she’d love it. She grew up with these sitcoms and they are all still close to her heart. After I finished the show I watched wandavision with her, and she was able to point out so many things I didn’t notice the first time. It’s a phenomenal show in every way you can analyze it.

[@zuichiang5088]

To me, this is still and will always be the best MCU show. The creativity, the attention to details, the script, the songs, the actors.... gosh... it's just super awesome and nothing will ever top it off! Bravo!

[@DrumsOfWar84]

This show has vastly become my favorite for the MCU shows after watching it more than once.

[@kendrickparks9129]

I wonder if wanda knew pepper was allergic to strawberries which is maybe why visions boss choke on it

[@dasmysteryman12]

The amount of creativity in this show is just so mind-boggling and commendable. Definitely my favourite Marvel show, actually my favourite Marvel piece if media ever, along with Loki. Such creative shows!

[@DominickRuocco]

I absolutely love Elizabeth Olsen. She's a wonderful actress and portrays Wanda Maximoff so well.

[@camdencoblentz3245]

The choking scene came out of nowhere but was so effective. It went from reminding me of classic sitcom vibes of The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Love Lucy to the disturbing and unnatural vibes of David Lynch's Eraserhead.

[@lfcamfc]

BEST SUPER HERO SHOW EVER!

[@JamesMLeggatJrP2E]

Such a terrific show!

[@lukav7348]

The whole show was amazing

[@Elbenzo64]

We're finally back into the swing of Marvel movies being released again with Black Widow and Shang-Chi... but damn if WandaVision wasn't an insanely unique and fun entry into this phase of the MCU. There was a solid period there where people who didn't even really watch Marvel movies were talking about this series and speculating what was happening. It was a really fun little moment where we all got to experience something completely unique yet wholeheartedly nostalgic together.

[@strangefruit42]

What an interesting video. I'm still so in love with WandaVision, no idea how often I rewatched it. The way the story is told on different levels, the attention to detail both to the Marvel universe and TV history, the characters, the actors... especially Lizzie and Paul together. This show is second to none. Even got a tattoo of the couple from the comic credits of the Sixties episode.

[@scarlettwitch1472]

Currently re-watching Wandavision 3rd time.. Such a brilliant writing..my baby Wanda had to go through hell..😭😭

[@Rachel-mr8es]

This is absolutely crazy and the reason why this show deserves all the Emmys

[@aisha02a]

one of the best things to come out of 2021

[@aurelieleclerc4514]

I want the same video for each episode of this amazing show 🙌🙌 SOOO interesting !

[@sandybratzel4384]

What an incredible work of art! I have watched the series several times, and am always struck by the details in every scene, every word. The music, set design, costuming and cinematography all combined to make this show unique in TV history.

[@elizabethshannon5404]

Bravo to all involved in this wonderful, brave and heartfelt adventure! Even though the Emmy noms shamefully didn’t, for the most part, pan out it doesn’t diminish the incredible effort put forth in creating WandaVision. Thank you for one of my all time favorite shows.

[@aldanarojas6006]

Such an excellent show!

[@theplayfulpixels]

Such an amazing show !!!

[@chadbailey7038]

Loved this show

[@asteverson]

This was awesome 🔥

[@aliegan2109]

great insight!

[@octoberboiy]

I just loved the nostalgia of it all. When they got to the 90s one that was based off Malcolm in the middle I teared up. Totally brought me back to being a kid in the 90s.

[@Trivial_delineations]

Just love them. ❤️❤️❤️ And the show 😍

[@rainellax]

i love lizzie so much💗

[@michaelsoldierworks1]

Historically great on every level.

[@ca-qy3mk]

such a good show 👌

[@joebond545]

Cant wait for her return in DS2

[@basicsimp8798]

One of the best MCU shows to date. Love that this is also the first series or show from the new wave of the MCU saga!

[@mxhsvn_b7866]

Ive watched it so many times at this point

[@ronaldverdegaal9078]

I loved that when they made certain things appear or change via wandas powers the camera angle would slightly move and that really paid homage to the 50’s eras special effects

[@annbrookens945]

I enjoyed the show so much when it aired but behind the scenes stuff just amps up how good it was!

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Matt! Thanks, Elizabeth! Thanks, Tara! Thanks, Mark! Thanks, Variety! 😊

[@brianm3160]

This show deserves the success it got

[@kendrickparks9129]

The 2 dislikes are variants

[@wiinterflowers4277]

Don't mention Loki here! It doesn't exist!

[@queenie_bee]

God i really love this show

[@arahcozy]

The best series yet I have ever seen ☺

[@queenofnevers6990]

I miss this show 😞

[@bookaddict209]

Genuinely one of the best Marvel productions in a while. I vote practical effects all day every day!

[@zanechi]

Wonderful show. The only MCU show I could be related to.

[@mervinlomague7230]

One of the best so far from Disney+

[@jimenat357]

Wow imagine having seen this live

[@couldbahappychic1217]

This was just the the best Marvel show

[@boinggerss1560]

This is still the best show they have made Loki being 2nd

[@AkshayKumar-sd1mx]

It's just too detailed, wow!

[@mymelomemi]

wow so cool

[@ursafeplace7698]

I love her

[@MrDarthT]

When they talk about showing Vision at the end of the table, and how you should have seen the audience. I kind of wish we HAD seen the audience.

[@a1fiedrl]

A best show to start after Endgame!

[@KitsukiiPlays]

I was freaking out when I’ve saw a LIVE AUDIENCE in 2020?! But then I realized the show was probably filmed way before the pandemic

[@lexilex9317]

🙌

[@user-vo1yu6hb1v]

11:17

[@elizatoponce9375]

I’m doing Wanda’s 50s look for Halloween

[@elcaballerodefuego6063]

Elizabeth Olsen 😍😍😍😍😍

[@alfredowaltergutierrezmald834]

Nobel Prize, Otto, Nobel Prize, I'll see you in Sweden

[@Kevin-hf7xg]

Gosh she's beautiful

[@gabrielasegovia9279]

"first tv series".......... I apologise Daredevil, Punisher, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Defenders.........

[@selmadjeziri8285]

I think they meant first MCU series.

[@gabrielasegovia9279]

@@selmadjeziri8285 I know lol I was just being salty😅

[@Jadorelainie]

Okay, but don't apologize to Iron Fist tho, Marvel really dropped the ball with that one. DD, The Punisher, JJ S1 and Luke Cage S1? 12/10 for sure!

[@kaizoisevil]

@@selmadjeziri8285 agents of shield was, at least the first season was intended to be canon. I think Feige decided that the later seasons would be non canon.

[@kmaher1424]

@@kaizoisevil Perhaps the Multiverse will have room for non canon

[@pepperwings]

It's a little frustrating that they modeled it so heavily on The Dick Van Dyke show, and keep calling it a '50s TV show, when the show ran through the 1960s, not the '50s.

[@VideoAssaultSaturday]

Excuse me??! Marvel's FIRST T.V. series???????? There's like 50+ going back to the 60's!!!

[@bradleybruvva3021]

I feel like WandaVision and Fear Street have a lot of similarities with the way stories are told in different time periods and involving witches.

[@Semper_Iratus]

Free Tibet.

[@wiinterflowers4277]

The show was good but the finale was what killed it.

[@patrickjh]

Marvel's first TV "sitcom" is probably what they meant

[@Hamilgoth2002]

“Marvel’s first TV series” is wrong on multiple levels

[@wiinterflowers4277]

They obviously haven't seen Agents of Shield, Daredevil, Cloak and Dagger, Runaways, Agent Carter, Jessica Jones.

[@Perradocx]

It was the first for Marvel Studios, the first under Feige.

[@harlandted]

Wandavision was robbed of any emmys. Not one.

[@flowerguy4764]

Only good Marvel Studios TV show

[@delrey874]

overrated show.

[@SuperOmnicronsj44]

It established NO true plan for P:hase 4 and Spider-Man No Way home shouldve kicked off phase 4 ...this was a confusing MESS. Then she held entire community hostage?? - WTF????

[@moonbow7590]

🙄 As if she had any idea. She didn’t even know she was capable of creating a hex. She didn’t know her power. And she’s had two decades worth of trauma with zero therapy. What she was subconsciously doing with the hex was a physical representation of maladaptive daydreaming and disassociation through her magic. Maladaptive daydreaming is a coping mechanism in response to trauma and loneliness that _real_ people experience, where they create a complex inner world that’s very intense and that they escape to. 🙂 Listen to a therapist and psychologist, Kati Morton, talk about maladaptive daydreaming, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pofUhWiIraaVaac For WandaVision, CinemaTherapy has a video about it, with therapist Jonathan Decker and Kati as well.

[@archer1949]

In the comics, she brainwashed the entire world. This is not new.

[@aliegan2109]

If you measure the quality of a product by how it connects to or sets up other products instead of based on its own merits, you will be disappointed every time. You would think that the internal mental struggles and the ambiguous nature of Wanda’s character would be a nice change of pace in the MCU which is known for its perfect, upstanding heroes but no, I guess despite everything that was presented her actions were still just black and white to you.

[@chatterbox11]

Wandavision was an entertaining story, but it was also an allegory, like many superhero stories. On one level it is an adventure mystery about a Marvel superhero, and another level it is study of how individuals in our real world navigate through the stages of grief and the danger of not coming to terms to with grief (i.e. it can hold both the grieving person and those in their lives "hostage"). As for using the device of a comedy sitcom to frame the story, this was done because Wanda had fond memories of growing up watching old American tv sitcoms, which gave her a temporary escape with her family from the difficult circumstances of their lives. Once you understand this basic idea, there is nothing confusing about it, and it certainly is not a mess. It was extremely well-acted, and a very moving and surprisingly intimate story. I think it could have been fleshed out a little more in the final episodes, but the creators ultimately had to cut some scenes as the production ran into limitations imposed by the pandemic. That said, it was a very creative and excellent story.