This article is about the WandaVision episode. For the comedy device used in various Disney properties, see Breaking the Fourth Wall.
- “I don't understand what's happening. Why it's... Why it's all falling apart and why... I can't fix it.”
- ―Wanda Maximoff
"Breaking the Fourth Wall" is the seventh episode of the Disney+ streaming television series WandaVision and was released on February 19, 2021. It was written by Cameron Squires and directed by Matt Shakman.
Synopsis[]
Monica plots her return, Wanda navigates unsettling complications, and Vision forms a new alliance.
Plot[]
Now in contemporary times, and filmed in the style of a mockumentary, Wanda wants some alone time and her powers seem to be on the fritz, though she tosses this up to being a "case of the Mondays" and even acknowledges her recent expansion of the Hex. Vision wakes up in a field in front of the transformed S.W.O.R.D. base, now and circus, and encounters Darcy who believes that she is an escape artist and has no memory of the events prior. Vision uses his powers on her and she awakens. The two escape by stealing a funnel cake truck and Darcy informs Vision about his history.
Wanda tries to maintain a level head to the concern of Billy and Tommy until Agnes comes over. She offers to take the kids off her hands so that she can recuperate and she agrees. Monica and Woo meet up with S.W.O.R.D. agents who supply them a space rover to break through the Hex while Vision and Darcy try to make it back to Westview, but are stopped by numerous traffic obstacles. In a talking head segment, Wanda claims that she is fine, but becomes bothered when the interviewer asks if she "deserves it" and tells them that they are not supposed to do that.
The commercial is for an antidepressant medication called "Nexus" which is supposed to "anchor you back to your reality - or the reality of your choice."
Monica attempts to use the rover to break through the Hex, but it gets ejected. Realizing that she is the only one capable of breaking the barrier, Monica enters and manages to get through while retaining her memories and displaying some inert super ability. She arrives at Wanda's house and the two argue over the recent events. Agnes intervenes and takes Wanda away to her house as they tell Monica to leave. Vision is emotionally moved at Darcy's explanation for Wanda's love and he decides to fly back home to be with her, leaving Darcy stuck in traffic.
As Wanda waits in Agnes' home she realizes that her children are missing. She checks the basement and discovers a mysterious lair covered in vines and a spell book, whereupon she is caught by Agnes who reveals that she is an actual witch named Agatha Harkness. She catches Wanda under her spell and then, through flashback in the guise of a television intro called Agatha All Along, it is revealed that she is the responsible for many of the odd occurrences, such as the appearance of the different version of Pietro in Westview and the death of Sparky, which were all her doing.
In a mid-credits stinger, Monica breaks into the basement of Agatha's house, but is caught by "Pietro".
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff
- Paul Bettany as Vision
- Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau
- Evan Peters as Pietro Maximoff
- Randall Park as Jimmy Woo
- Debra Jo Rupp as Mrs. Hart
- Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis/The Escape Artist
- Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness
Guest-starring[]
- Julian Hilliard as Billy
- Jett Klyne as Tommy
- Josh Stamberg as Director Hayward
- Emma Caulfield Ford as Dottie
- Jolene Purdy as Beverly
- David Payton as Herb
- David Lengel as Phil Jones
- Asif Ali as Norm
- Alan Heckner as The Strongman
- Rachael Thompson as Major Goodner
- Selena Anduze as Agent Rodriguez
- Amos Glick as Dennis the Delivery Man
- Victoria Blade as Commercial Woman
- Ithamar Enriquez as Commercial Man
- Wesley Kimmel as Commercial Boy
- Sydney Thomas as Commercial Girl
Trivia[]
- This is the first episode to have a post-credit scene.
- This is the only episode of the series where Vision and Wanda aren't seen interacting with each other.
- The episode is presented in a mockumentary style similar to shows, such as The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family:
- The theme song sounds similar to The Office.
- The logo is inspired by the Modern Family logo.
- The characters have talking head segments.
- Vision performs the "Jim Stare" that the character Jim Halpert from The Office does.
- The show that is playing on Agatha's TV is Yo Gabba Gabba! from Nickelodeon.
- Wanda's number plate reads WANDA 122822, which references Stan Lee's birthday.
- The title is a saying that refers to whenever characters become aware of their existence in a work of fiction. This is a running theme throughout the series as Wanda refuses to leave her home or her family. Monica literally breaks through a wall back in "Now in Color" and does so again to reach Wanda in an effort to help her.
- Despite the episode has the mockumentary show references, the opening sequence is similar to the opening sequence of the ABC Studios-produced sitcom series Happy Endings.
Gallery[]
External links[]
Breaking the Fourth Wall on IMDb- Breaking the Fourth Wall (WandaVision) on Wikipedia
Breaking the Fourth Wall on Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki
