What Years Each WandaVision Episode Takes Place In

WandaVision may not be jumping through the MCU timeline, but it does take place across different decades thanks to its sitcom approach. With Wanda taking over the town of Westview in New Jersey, she - or someone controlling/influencing her or her powers - has thrust herself and her husband, Vision, into a fake reality in which they play out their lives as characters in a sitcom. But, of course, there's more going on in this series than meets the eye.

While the interior of Westview's barrier changes sitcom eras, first beginning with the 1950s and most recently moving into the 2000s, WandaVision itself is roughly set in the present day of the MCU. It takes place only a few weeks after the events of Avengers: Endgame - considering SWORD exists outside the barrier in the real world - but several months before Spider-Man: Far From Home, which is currently the furthest in the timeline the franchise has gone so far.

The concept of telling a story about loss, and how a superhero confronts that trauma, in the backdrop of classic sitcoms is truly astounding. Although the traditional Marvel parts of WandaVision have garnered the most talking points, it's the series' commitment in adhering to the sitcom eras that has elevated its quality - and that has meant tackling several decades throughout its season with each episode (the exception being episode 4 so far, since that didn't have a new sitcom).

WandaVision Episode 1

WandaVision begins in the 1950s and 1960s, with its many references to I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Putting both together, the first episode of WandaVision - its sitcom era, that is - takes place from 1951 to 1966, when The Dick Van Dyke series concluded its run.

WandaVision Episode 2

Still continuing in the monochrome era of TV, WandaVision episode 2 moves throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s, with Betwitched and I Dream of Jeannie being the episode's primary inspirations. Although this sitcom era takes place mainly in the '60s, it could've gone until 1972, when Betwiched ended.

WandaVision Episode 3

Bringing the story into the 1970s and, particularly, into color, WandaVision based its third episode sitcom on The Brady Bunch, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and even a little bit of Charlie's Angels with a few shots. All of those sitcoms carries WandaVision episode 3 through to the end of the '70s and possibly into 1981.

WandaVision Episode 5

Wanda and Vision hold Tommy and Billy in Wandavision

Since episode 4 didn't have a new sitcom episode, WandaVision episode 5 jumped forward through to the late 1980s and a little bit of the early 1990s. The biggest inspiration was Family Ties, but there were also references to Growing Pains with a dash of Full House. All in all, WandaVision episode 5 took place from 1982 to, at most, 1995.

WandaVision Episode 6

Wanda and Pietro on Halloween in WandaVision

The latest episode of WandaVision modernized the series quite a bit, capitalizing on the 1990s and the early parts of the digital era of the 2000s, particularly with its Malcolm in the Middle approach. In its current state, WandaVision's sitcom episodes seem to be up to 2006, with future episodes going into the 2010s and potentially tackling popular series like Modern Family.

Next: WandaVision Episode 6 Breaks The Show's Timeline Rule