WandaVision’s emotionally devastating, revelatory finale debunked a number of fan theories for the series, including the idea that White Vision may actually be Ultron. Borne on the crest of tens of compelling theories about the show’s various mysteries, the suggestion came after the penultimate episode revealed the revived synthezoid as the crowning achievement of S.W.O.R.D.‘s Project Cataract. That the name of one of the Vision’s creators was thrown up at all as a possibility speaks to the show’s creative but often frustrating relationship with fans.

WandaVision had something of a problem with the MCU’s vociferous fanbase. Starved after a fallow year that saw no releases thanks to the covid-19 pandemic, the fires of speculation were stoked massively by the show’s consciously enigmatic spirit. The first two episodes were merely sitcom homages with little hint of what it would become by the finale and the hints and red herrings dotted throughout the series were a triumph of mirroring Scarlet Witch’s own grasp on truth and reality. But fans fed into that with such force that at times the WandaVision theories overshadowed the show’s narrative, even when the latter made more sense. It may have been great for marketing, but it meant WandaVision would always be disappointing when judged against informed fans’ fantasies.

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One such theory was that the revival of Vision into his powerful White Vision form would in fact turn out to be a ruse revealing Ultron to be pulling the strings behind Vizh’s eyes. There was some logic, particularly as Vision was always a composite that relied on all parts to create the recognizable whole and the Mind Stone had been removed. But it turned out that White Vision was merely a factory reset Vision, like Buzz Lightyear meeting himself before his revelation in the company of Andy’s toys and the theory died. It was, by all accounts, the right decision.

WandaVision White Vision

Vision facing up to White Vision was one of the most striking story moments in all of WandaVision. It allowed for both to examine their identities and what the nature of existence meant. It also, crucially, allowed the original corporeal form of Vision to have his memories restored and to be offered a pathway to returning from the dead properly. He may have fled when regaining his memories, but the new old Vision also claimed the heroic identity he’d struggled to cast off ever since his Age of Ultron debut.

To bring back Ultron would have been a fan-pleasing moment, but it would have been needlessly cheap. Compromising on the narrative depth afforded between Vision and White Vision for an audience reaction to James Spader’s sardonic tones would have been a betrayal. Instead, White Vision’s story is now more interesting, particularly as it offers Wanda the other part of her happy ending that the WandaVision post-credits scene hinted was possible thanks to the twins shocking apparent survival. Because sometimes, the writing trumps the fan theories.

Next: WandaVision: Every MCU Easter Egg In Episode 9

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