Earlier Marvel Cinematic Universe phases have a history of cliché romances, and while the MCU Phase 4 has taken a positive step in showing deeper love stories, they may have gone too far. With such a huge and ever-expanding franchise, the shift to more thoughtful and complicated relationships was certainly necessary compared to the one-note love interests in earlier phases. While dynamics like the one shared between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts were surprisingly complex, many of the early MCU romances were trope-filled plots. A somber shift in the love interest storylines began right at the start of the MCU Phase 4 with WandaVision, a series that epitomized a move to tragic relationship premises.

Trite “damsel in distress” dynamics presented in earlier MCU phases were blatantly overused, embodying the MCU's original romance problem. Far more varied, nuanced relationships were presented beginning with Phase 4, which was a welcome change. But this variance has taken a shift too far in the other direction with every story being bleak and tragic. The love interest angles in the MCU Phase 5 and beyond are in dire need of balance following a series of devastating relationships in Phase 4.

Why The MCU Has So Many Tragic Phase 4 RelationshipsWanda and vision Avengers Infinity War romance Wandavision

The tragic romantic relationships presented in MCU Phase 4 were consistent with the overall tonal shift in Marvel after the fallout from Avengers: Endgame. The stakes arguably reached their pinnacle with the conclusion of Phase 3, and this same consequential peril has yet to be reflected in Phase 4. Instead, Marvel executives have chosen to tell more intimate, character-driven stories with their heroes headed into Phase 5.

The conclusion of Spider-Man: No Way Home saw Dr. Strange right the wrongs of his multiverse-shattering spell, but this came at the cost of Peter undoing the heartfelt bond he had formed with MJ, as she was rendered entirely unaware of his existence. Stephen Strange also confronted his troubled relationship but came to the crippling realization that his love for Christine Palmer would never flourish, in any universe. Thor patched up his wounds with Jane Foster, only to suffer yet another loss following her fatal bout with cancer. These catastrophic culminations were set up by WandaVision as her tumultuous grief kicked off Phase 4’s recurring theme of tragedy.

The MCU's Love Interest Angles Need Balance

Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Tatiana Maslany as Jen Walters in She-Hulk episode 8

The budding chemistry between She-Hulk and Daredevil was evident, and an apt reflection of the balanced romantic relationships needed with MCU projects moving forward. The lawyer connections between Jen Walters and Matt Murdock in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law obviously helped to kindle the initial flame of their bond, but the relationship itself was fairly standard other than that. The reason why their dynamic was so effective was that it ushered in a refreshing sense of optimism to Phase 4. Whereas previous relationships chronicled in Phase 4 were ridden with tragedy and bereavement, She-Hulk's love interest angle was handled with charm and wit that will be essential to future MCU phases.

This same lighthearted flare looks set to continue as Phase 5 kicks off with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Phase 5's second film looks set to continue the tragic trend as James Gunn's promise to cement Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as a genre-defining film for the MCU no longer looks to be accurate. Fortunately, with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special set to delve into Peter's grief surrounding Gamora, perhaps the subsequent Marvel entries can positively revitalize the melancholic romantic relationships that so often plagued MCU Phase 4.

Next: MCU Phase 5 Finally Pays Off Marvel's TV Shows (Not Phase 4)

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