Entertainment

When Does 'WandaVision' Take Place in the MCU Timeline?

You might think the answer is straightforward. It is not.

Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios

Ahh, suburban bliss. It’s the all-American ideal that heroes like those in the Avengers strive to protect, but it’s not necessarily something they’d expect themselves mysteriously plopped into without explanation or a way out. That’s where we find Wanda Maximoff (played by Elizabeth Olsen), also known as the Scarlet Witch, and Vision (Paul Bettany), also known as Vision, at the start of Disney+’s charmingly WTF classic-sitcom pastiche WandaVision.

Wanda and Vision live in a cozy house with a perfectly trimmed front yard, and the most exciting things that happen in their lives are dinner parties for scary bosses and lunch meetings at the social club to charm the neighborhood divas. Yet something is obviously, inescapably wrong. Why don’t they seem to be aware of their fate? Why can’t they leave? And how did they even get there in the first place?

The last time we saw Wanda, in Avengers: Endgame, she was attending Tony Stark’s funeral and comforting Hawkeye, who was sad that Black Widow had died in the conflict with Thanos. Wanda, who had been disintegrated by the Thanos snap in Avengers: Infinity War and restored leading into Endgame‘s climactic battle, had also lost someone in a seemingly permanent way: Vision, whose lifeless robot body had thunked to the ground at the climax of Avengers: Infinity War when Thanos plucked out the Mind Stone, an Infinity Gem, from his head.

Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios

Wait-Vision is dead?? Yes! Vision is stone-cold dead, deader than dead, as dead as can be, never coming back. Or is he?? He was not in Avengers: Endgame at all, Ant-Man’s time-travel stunt having not been enough to rewrite the events of the Avengers’ battle with Thanos on Wakanda. As far as the team is concerned, he’s gone for good. So, then, how is it possible that he’s alive and living in the Dick Van Dyke house with Scarlet Witch?

One possibility is that WandaVision takes place before Avengers: Infinity War, similar to how the upcoming Black Widow movie is set in the two-year gap between Captain America: Civil War and Infinity War, and Disney has just decided to kept that crucial plot detail a secret for some reason. A second possibility is that WandaVision takes place chronologically after Endgame, Vision is still dead, and whoever or whatever has Wanda trapped in what seems to be a TV show simulation (complete with in-show credits and a laugh track) is making it seem as if Vision is alive.

It’s also possible that the events of the first two episodes (which both debuted today) are a figment of Wanda’s imagination-albeit an extremely powerful imagination that has brought characters back from the dead before in certain comic book arcs. And it’s also possible that Vision is actually alive again due to some other magical, scientific or quantum mechanical way, thanks to whatever is out there controlling this pocket universe. There’s plenty of mystery yet to be solved in WandaVision, and we’re very excited to see where this goes next.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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