‘WandaVision’ and the Search for Truth

By Adrianne Miles and Jake Miles

Is Vision alive? Why are Wanda and Vision in sets that looks similar to I Love Lucy, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, and Family Ties? How can we know the truth of WandaVision (or anything else)?

After WandaVision premiered on Disney+ in January 2021, fans had more questions than answers, but intriguing stories often begin with audience members wondering what? how? who? or when? Questions entice us. As the episodes of WandaVision continue, the questions multiply.

Is Wanda controlling everything? Are the events of this narrative happening in the reality of the Marvel Universe or in the mind of Wanda Maximoff? Why does time pass differently in Wanda’s world? Are her twins really her physical offspring?

Fans struggle with these questions and many, many more. Some viewers gave up on the show because they were overwhelmed by the uncertainties and confusions of the first few episodes. Others were desperate for the next installment, hoping for enlightenment. How could one storyline cause such diametrically opposed reactions? The answer involves the search for truth — a search that resonates closely (perhaps too closely for some) with our own searches for truth amidst the many uncertainties and confusions of 2021.

This fictional search for truth reflects a larger search for truth amidst the uncertainties of our time.

Confused fans searching for truth rely on what they know to be true in the Marvel Universe. They go to the sources of truth—the movies and comics—to learn from the creators of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel Comics.

• Fact: Vision died twice in Infinity War. First, he died to save the world, but Thanos reset the timeline, which brought Vision back to life. Vision died in the new timeline at the hands of Thanos.
  
• Fact: Wanda Maximoff has the power to manipulate reality.

These facts suggest that WandaVision is exactly that—Wanda’s vision, not reality but Wanda’s manipulation of reality. Questions remain, but fans rely on the truths from the authorities of the Marvel Universe as they try to make sense of Wanda’s world.

A Larger Search for Truth

The search for truth in WandaVision is fictional — a diversion from reality. And yet this fictional search for truth reflects a larger search for truth amidst the uncertainties of our time. Will this pandemic end? Is it as bad as some people claim? Is it worse? Should we mask? Vaccinate? Go to a restaurant? Can we trust this political party or that one? Will my company downsize? Does justice exist for all? Are prejudices increasing? Where can I find the truth?

Just like truth in the Marvel Universe, truth in our universe is found in the Creator’s writing, the authoritative, inspired, and inerrant Word of God. When we are uncertain and confused, we must turn to the truths in Scripture.

• Fact: From the beginning, God loved the world and made a way for people to know him. Paul explains in Acts 17:26-28 that God made everyone and “marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands . . . so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.”
  
• Fact: God is good (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 145:9, Mark 10:18).

Why are we living during a time of medical, political, and social turmoil? We may never know the full answer to this question, but perhaps we’re enduring these sufferings so we will seek God. And when we seek him, we will find in him a loving Father who cares for and comforts his children — and asks them to care for and comfort the people in their lives (cf. 1 Peter 5:7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

When life has more questions than answers, we can depend on these truths: God loves us, and our job is to love him and love the people he brings into our lives.

Infallible, unselfish, always good, God loves you, and you can trust him even on your darkest days.

Remembering Love

Vision can’t remember his life before WandaVision. He has as many questions as the viewers, but he perseveres because he remembers the most important thing: Wanda loves him. Fallible, selfish, former villain, Wanda Maximoff loves Vision, so he trusts her.

When we can’t remember life before COVID or before political and social divisions, when we wonder if we will ever come through the mess we are in, we must remember that God loves us. Infallible, unselfish, always good, God loves you, and you can trust him even on your darkest days. He is the way; he is the truth; he is life (John 14:6). You can trust his vision.