Monica Rambeau's reaction to hearing Captain Marvel's name in WandaVision confirms a problem that Captain Marvel 2 will have to address. Teyonah Parris joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Phase 4 with WandaVision, after being cast to play the adult version of Monica Rambeau. The MCU introduced audiences to Monica in Captain Marvel, which was set in 1995 when Monica was still just a child. That film established a fun relationship between "Lieutenant Trouble" and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) - one that fans expected would be paid off in the MCU's future.

Marvel Studios has already confirmed that Monica will return in Captain Marvel 2, so viewers of WandaVision have been keeping an eye out for any potential set up. The series has already teased that Monica has powers and established her history with SWORD. However, WandaVision episode 5 indicates that Monica is no longer on good terms with Captain Marvel. The episode includes a fun debate between Monica, Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) about how Scarlet Witch could've defeated Thanos on her own in Avengers: Endgame. But Woo retorts that Captain Marvel came the closest to doing so. Monica reacts poorly to the mention of Captain Marvel's name, and she quickly changes the subject.

Related: WandaVision's SWORD Reveal Creates More MCU Timeline Problems

Monica's change in behavior is notable, and Jimmy and Darcy both pick up on the fact that she'd rather not talk about Captain Marvel. This episode doesn't outright say why Monica doesn't want to talk about Carol Danvers, but the MCU's past could explain it. Monica and Maria already thought they lost Carol once before in 1989, so her return six years later was a big deal for them. They figured their friend was back in their lives, but that doesn't appear to be what happened. The MCU has given no indication that Captain Marvel returned to Earth after leaving with the Skrulls at the end of Captain Marvel. This could leave Monica to feel like Carol abandoned them, only this time it was her choice and not an accident.

WandaVision Episode 5 - Monica Rambeau

This puts Captain Marvel 2 in a tricky position to explain why Carol never returned. While even Monica might understand that Captain Marvel didn't come back because Carol was busy defending the universe, the sequel needs to provide a better explanation. Her being too busy to come back and visit at some point in the last twenty years won't cut it. Captain Marvel would then be viewed as a terrible friend to Maria and Monica, and that will make reforging the bond with Monica even tougher. Captain Marvel 2 needs to provide a clear and understandable explanation for why she abandoned them, if that is the source of Monica's anger.

The resentment Monica has towards Captain Marvel could also be explained in several other ways. This could be a similar case to Tony Stark not liking Steve Rogers because of how fondly Howard Stark talked about. It's possible Maria was so focused on building SWORD and reuniting with Carol that Monica grew to dislike her. Another possible explanation could be that Maria's pursuits to space are somehow tied to her getting cancer, which could cause Monica to blame Carol for Maria's death. And if Carol never came back to Earth before Avengers: Endgame and saw Maria again, that would mean she has no idea about her illness or the role she might've played in Maria becoming sick.

The loss of friendship between Monica and Captain Marvel can clearly stem from various reasons, but whatever Marvel decides has to be part of Captain Marvel 2. It could be used to humanize Carol Danvers further by telling a story about the tragedy of being a hero. In order for Captain Marvel to do what was best for the universe, she had to leave behind the people she cared about. Whether or not Monica would accept such an explanation remains to be seen. But with WandaVision's writer Megan McDonnell writing Captain Marvel 2, hopefully these planted seeds are part of the larger plan already.

MORE: Captain Marvel 2 May Feature 3 MCU Superheroes

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