Summary
Marvel's Disney+ shows are crucial to understanding the broader MCU universe and provide opportunities to expand on plots and provide side stories.
WandaVision uncovers the heart-wrenching reality behind Wanda's imaginary children and sheds light on her involvement in the Multiverse of Madness.
Meanwhile, in Loki, the idea of the multiverse is intricately explained, laying the groundwork for the forthcoming Multiverse Saga, and introduces various versions of Kang, the primary antagonist.
Since TV shows were introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they have played a crucial role in revealing important plot points that contribute to a broader understanding of the universe. The launch of Disney+ in 2019 provided Marvel Studios with the perfect platform to deliver more content related to the MCU. This meant that audiences no longer had to wait for films to be released in theaters; instead, they could eagerly anticipate new short-form content.
While the MCU Disney+ shows may have a more relaxed feel compared to their theater counterparts, they are undeniably part of the canon timeline and play an integral role in the overarching MCU story. These shows offer Marvel the opportunity to delve into plotlines in greater detail, which the films may not have the luxury of doing, and also provide side stories that enrich the overall narrative. From the initial release of WandaVision to the most recent series, Secret Invasion, the MCU TV shows have delivered significant revelations that fans will undoubtedly be eager to uncover before diving into the Multiverse Saga.
1 Wanda Creates Fictional Children In WandaVision
WandaVision, the first Disney+ series within the MCU, has been widely considered a highly successful show. While the sitcom premise provided entertainment, it also created an underlying unease for viewers, particularly because Vision had previously died in Avengers: Endgame. Despite the joy of seeing Wanda living a peaceful life with Vision and their children after enduring immense trauma, the revelation that these loved ones were not real came as a shocking plot twist.
Wanda's deep emotional attachment to her children, Billy and Tommy, was evident, and their loss greatly impacted her character development. In her subsequent appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, viewers not familiar with WandaVision may have struggled to understand her desperate search for her children. From their perspective, Wanda had no genuine connection to these kids. However, those who watched WandaVision would be aware that she had already spent significant time nurturing and caring for her sons, providing a clear explanation for her desperate attempts to retrieve them.
2 Wanda Reaches Her Potential As The Scarlet Witch
Prior to WandaVision, Wanda was already recognized as one of Earth's mightiest Avengers. Despite her known alias of Scarlet Witch, she had never officially been referred to as such during the Infinity Saga. It is within WandaVision that a pivotal moment occurs, allowing Wanda to fully unleash her abilities and proclaim the title of Scarlet Witch.
Dubious of Wanda's immense powers, the witch Agatha Harkness arrives at the Westview anomaly to conduct an investigation. She discloses to Wanda that, according to the Darkhold, she is the prophesied Scarlet Witch. It is during the ultimate showdown with Agatha that Wanda actualizes her complete potential. However, without the context of WandaVision, her seemingly exponential power increase in Multiverse of Madness would seem puzzling. Therefore, witnessing the revelation of the true Scarlet Witch in WandaVision becomes imperative before delving into the film, as it elucidates how she effortlessly dominates her adversaries.
3 The Multiverse Is Explained In Loki
With the upcoming MCU saga titled the Multiverse Saga, the multiverse will undoubtedly have a significant role. Given its complex nature, the MCU will need to ensure a thorough explanation. Avengers: Endgame briefly touched upon the concept of the multiverse through its exploration of time travel. The Ancient One imparted knowledge to Hulk about timelines and the potential consequences of altering them.
In the highly anticipated Loki solo series, his interaction with the Time Variance Authority introduced the concept of multiversal travel. This provided Loki and the viewers with a more comprehensive understanding of the multiverse. As the core concept of the upcoming MCU phases, it is possible that Marvel will revisit this explanation in future films to cater to casual viewers. However, for a genuine grasp of the multiverse, fans should consider watching Loki, as it delves deeper into its importance.
4 Where Did 2012 Loki Go After Endgame?
Loki has always been a beloved character among fans since his introduction in the MCU's Phase One. With his unpredictable character, constantly switching between being a villain and an ally, his unexpected death in Infinity War was truly heart-wrenching. However, it turns out that Loki never truly stays dead.
During the Avengers' time travel to the Battle of New York in 2012, Loki manages to escape his impending capture by stealing the Tesseract. This raises the question of where Loki disappeared to for those who only watched Endgame. The TV show Loki provides a comprehensive explanation, delving into the adventures of the 2012 variant and his encounters with the TVA. However, for those who are not familiar with the show, the potential return of Loki to the movies may be quite confusing, depending on how it is presented.
5 The First Kang Variant Is Introduced
In the final episodes of Loki, He Who Remains makes a chilling debut. Loki and Sylvie confront him at his castle, where he enlightens them about the Multiversal War. Surprisingly, He Who Remains is revealed to be the founder of the TVA, an organization established to safeguard the Sacred Timeline from his other versions. As a result of Sylvie's actions, killing He Who Remains, a multitude of his variations from different multiverses are now unleashed.
He Who Remains' brief but menacing cameo in Loki foreshadows a foreboding future. The existence of multiple Kang variants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) raises concerns. Although the Kang seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania may not be directly linked to He Who Remains from Loki, he will serve as the primary antagonist in the Multiverse Saga. Understanding the origins of this Kang variant becomes pivotal in comprehending his role.
6 Sam Wilson Is Officially Captain America
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier offered a refreshing departure from the intergalactic adventures of the MCU, focusing instead on the human characters and their connection to Earth. Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, often overlooked in the Infinity Saga, were both struggling with the departure of Steve Rogers. This struggle was epitomized in a poignant moment in Endgame, where an older Steve Rogers passed on his Captain America shield to Sam.
While it had already been implied that Sam would become the next Captain America, the Falcon and the Winter Soldier delved deeper into his journey and the challenges he faced in assuming this new identity. Particularly leading up to Captain America: Brave New World, the series laid the groundwork for what the new Captain America's role in the MCU would entail. The show also provided a comprehensive exploration of Sam's transition into Captain America, introducing significant adversaries such as John Walker.
7 Hulk Has A Son
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, out of all the MCU Disney+ projects, stands out as the most lighthearted. It serves as an introduction to Jennifer Walters while also delving into Hulk's character, considering his inability to have a standalone movie. The series explores the familial dynamic between the two cousins, culminating in the shocking revelation of Hulk's son at the end.
Although the revelation of Hulk having a son may not appear significant initially, it is actually a substantial development for his character. Given that Hulk has always grappled with his own identity and plans for the future, the existence of his son signifies a significant growth. Furthermore, this paves the way for his son, Skaar, to potentially play a pivotal role in the future of the MCU, perhaps as a member of the Young Avengers.
8 Kamala Khan’s Connection To Carol Danvers
Ms. Marvel, one of the MCU's youngest members, offers an entertaining glimpse into the life of teenager Kamala Khan. Balancing lightheartedness with a meaningful origin story, the show explores Kamala's hard-light powers, which originate from her great-grandmother's bangles. This connection becomes significant during the cameo appearance of Carol Danvers in the finale. The scene portrays the exchange of powers between Kamala and Carol, setting the stage for the upcoming series, "The Marvels." Watching "Ms. Marvel" beforehand will provide valuable context, helping viewers grasp the relationship between Kamala, Carol, and Monica Rambeau's light and energy abilities. While "The Marvels" will likely touch on this connection, it may not delve as deeply into the powers' origins as "Ms. Marvel" did.
9 There Are A Million Skrulls On Earth
Following Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Secret Invasion emerges as one of the most grounded series in the MCU. For the first time in his enduring legacy, Nick Fury takes the lead in this solo story. The show predominantly revolves around the Skrulls, a race that had been largely silent since the events of Captain Marvel. In a tense exchange between Fury and Talos, the shocking revelation comes to light that there are actually far more Skrulls residing on Earth than anyone could have anticipated.
The Secret Invasion revelation, disclosing the presence of nearly one million Skrulls on Earth, prompts audience skepticism regarding who can be trusted in the MCU. Many assumed that after the events of Captain Marvel, Carol successfully relocated the Skrulls to a new home as promised, causing the species to seemingly vanish from the narrative. The revelation that they have been living among us all along is both unsettling and intriguing, highlighting the Skrulls' seamless integration into Earth.
10 Rhodey Has Been A Skrull Since Civil War
One of Secret Invasion’s most notable surprises was the revelation that James Rhodey was actually a Skrull. Although the show does not explicitly reveal when Rhodey was replaced by a Skrull, it can be assumed that it happened after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Secret Invasion’s director, Ali Selim, confirmed the timeline of the Skrull substitution and the fact that Rhodey's inability to walk while imprisoned indicated that his Civil War injury was recent.
Since the beginning of Secret Invasion, there have been numerous theories suggesting that the Rhodey in the show was a Skrull. However, no one anticipated that the Skrull substitution had taken place as far back as Civil War. The reveal of Rhodey as a Skrull has generated controversy, particularly because it undermines all the character growth he has experienced since Civil War, even nullifying his emotional final interaction with his best friend, Tony Stark. Casual viewers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who are unaware of this development for Rhodey will not understand that his personal growth after Civil War holds no significance.