Disney+/Marvel's VisionQuest commenced with a set of episodes that, in my estimation, were quite good. That doesn't mean the high quality will dominate throughout or that the internal, Twilight Zone/Matrix-ish, Mindscape will recapture WandaVision and Agatha All Along's consistent success. Still, as a fan of those eager endeavors, I remain optimistic.
The introductory episodes showed the reborn yet forlorn Vision (Paul Bettany) working in the pub that he and Wanda once frequented. Alas, Vision was soon on the lam, thanks to a flippant bounty hunter named Paladin (Todd Stashwick). To draw Vision into his web, Paladin used our hero's "deleted son," Tommy Maximoff (Ruaridh Mollica) as bait, but there was a further catch, which swings back to Agatha All Along. Maximoff's consciousness was transferred into a jittery grifter named Tommy Shepherd, thanks to Maximoff's brother, Billy. Yeah, pretty tricky! (BTW: According to the grapevine, a bird-obsessed serial killer is set to dominate the proceedings from the fringes, but the adversary's cause and effect remain ambiguous.)
The above situations were anchored by an important, avatar hub that Vision accessed to reunite with his dear old, psychopathic "dad," Ultron (James Spader), in this instance represented as a loquacious human. The shrewd Ultron expressed a desire to counsel Vision throughout his fugitive state. So, does the spectral mechanoid conceal a covert plan? It would seem so, but time will tell. (As a neat treat, James D'Arcy reprised his Edwin Jarvis role from Agent Carter, albeit as a computerized imprint: nonetheless, a clever continuation for those in the know.)
I must stress, the opening episodes (despite their sometimes complicated, Loki-like layers) felt most Marvel-esque, and in that, I mean like the comics I read as a kid: fast, fun and colorful, with no subversive tricks or snide, socio-political messages to stall the flow.
On further note, I've always appreciated Vision (his design and creed). The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done well by him, so far. Perhaps this honorable, old-school respect will flavor other live-action events, such as the upcoming Secret Wars and its presumed sequels. Indeed, it would be nice to get back on track.
For the ensuing weeks, VisionQuest will drop two episodes each Tuesday night, with the last two occupying separate slots (the finale being on 11/10). After such point, I'll submit my overarching review.
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