Entertainment

Here's What That Sword Logo in 'WandaVision' Means for the Show

Did you catch that mysterious little symbol in the last moments of the first episode?

Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios

It’s pretty clear right from the first episode: WandaVision is going to be a big Marvel mystery. Is this set after Avengers: Endgame? How did Wanda and Vision get trapped in this sitcom world? How is Vision alive again? When and where are they? Who’s flying this plane??

Well, we might have an answer for that last one, thanks to a little symbol you see in the very last moments of the first episode, when the view pulls back and the closing credits of WandaVision roll on the TV being watched by someone in a control facility somewhere. If you look on the monitor that’s to the left of the TV, you’ll see what looks like an upright sword bordered by a little loop. It also appears on the notebook beneath the screens that the unknown watcher writes in. If you know your comics, you’ll know immediately what this signifies. If you don’t, we’ve got you covered.

Disney+
Disney+
Disney+

That symbol, for the uninitiated, is used by the secret organization S.W.O.R.D., a mostly autonomous offshoot of S.H.I.E.L.D., the secret organization that’s essentially the Marvel universe’s version of the C.I.A. We already know that Randall Park (whose voice we probably hear at the end of Episode 2) is in this show playing Jimmy Woo, a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who we first met in Ant-Man. In that movie, he had already transferred from S.H.I.E.L.D. and was working for the F.B.I., so this could mean that he returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. at some point, or was recruited to help set up S.W.O.R.D., which stands for the Sentient World Observation and Response Department and primarily deals with extraterrestrial threats to Earth-that is, threats of an alien nature.

Could this be the key to discovering what’s going on in WandaVision? It could be. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe getting bigger with each release-WandaVision kicks off Phase 4, to be continued in a flurry of show and movie releases later this year-our heroes’ territory is expanding farther into the known universe. Humanity has piqued the interest of extraterrestrials benign and dangerous, and the Avengers have just won the battle for good against the Mad Titan Thanos and alien army. But those aren’t the only aliens setting up shop on Earth. Thanks to Captain Marvel, we know that the Skrulls and the Kree are well aware of Earth, though they managed to conveniently stay out of the way during the battles with Thanos.

Now, just because S.W.O.R.D. mostly deals with alien threats doesn’t necessarily mean that either the Kree or the Skrulls will show up in WandaVision, but, crucially, as we learn in Episode 2 and from semi-spoilery interviews given by the creative team, the show involves Monica Rambeau, the daughter of Carol Danvers’ fellow Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau who is first seen as a child in the ’90s-set Captain Marvel. Now played by Teyonah Parris and initially calling herself Geraldine, Monica is trapped in this weird sitcom world along with Wanda and Vision, and also has no idea who she is. Over the course of the first two episodes she, too, begins to suspect that something is amiss. Are Wanda and Vision going to have to team up with Monica to find out what’s trapping them in this place? Signs point to yes.Need help finding something to watch? Sign up here for our weekly Streamail newsletter to get streaming recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.

Emma Stefansky is a staff entertainment writer at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter @stefabsky.

Entertainment

Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2023 in Australia

And what it means to be in the year of the Rabbit.

where to celebrate lunar new year australia

Starting with the new moon on Sunday, January 22, this Lunar New Year ushers in the year of the Rabbit. We’ve put together a guide on celebrating the Lunar New Year in Australia.

What is special about the year of the Rabbit?

As you might know, each year has an animal sign in the Chinese Zodiac, which is based on the moon and has a 12-year cycle. This year, we celebrate the year of the rabbit, known to be the luckiest out of all twelve animals. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty.

What celebrations are taking place and how can I get involved?

There are plenty of festivals happening all around the country which you can get involved with. Here they are per state.

New South Wales

Darling Harbour Fireworks
When: Every year, Sydney puts on a fireworks show, and this year, you can catch it on January 28 and February 4 at 9 pm in Darling Harbour.

Dragon Boat Races
When: Witness three days of dragon boat races and entertainment on Cockle Bay to usher in the Lunar New Year. The races will commence on January 27 and finish on January 29.

Lion Dances
When: Catch a traditional Lion Dance moving to the beat of a vigorous drum bringing good luck and fortune for the Lunar New Year. The dance performances will happen across Darling Harbour on Saturday, January 21, Sunday, January 22, and Sunday, February 4 and 5, around 6 pm and 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at Cirrus Dining
When: Barangaroo’s waterfront seafood restaurant, Cirrus, is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a special feast menu. Cirrus’ LNY menu is $128pp with optional wine pairing and is available from Saturday, January 21, to Sunday, February 5.

Auntie Philter
When: Hello Auntie’s owner and executive chef, Cuong Nguyen will be dishing out some of the most classic Vietnamese street foods with his mum, Linda. All of Philter’s favourites will be on offer, as well as Raspberry Pash Beer Slushies and other cocktails being served at the Philter Brewing rooftop bar on Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, January 29.

Victoria

Lunar New Year Festival
When: Ring in the Lunar New Year with food, music, arts, and more on Sunday, January 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.

Lunar New Year at the National Gallery of Victoria
When: Celebrate the year of the rabbit at the National Gallery of Victoria’s festival of art, food, and art-making activities for everyone from 10 am-5 pm.

Queensland

BriAsia Festival
When: From February 1-19, Brisbane will come alive with performances, including lion dances and martial arts displays. There will be street food, workshops, comedy and more.

South Australia

Chinatown Adelaide Street Party
When: Adelaide is set to hose a fun-filled day celebrating the Chinese New Year on Saturday, January 28, from 12 pm to 9 pm.

Western Australia

Crown Perth
When: Across January and February, Crown Perth hosts free live entertainment, including colourful lion dances, roving mascots, and drumming performances. The restaurants will also throw banquets and menus dedicated to the Lunar New Year.

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