As this era for the MCU begins to wind down, it seems fitting that one of the last Disney+ Marvel series to be part of the Multiverse Saga ties into the project that started both. What began in "WandaVision" and continued in "Agatha All Along" culminates with "VisionQuest", another emotional journey that reminds us of when AI could be cool or dangerous instead of kind of dumb and that Vision was too pure a soul for the world he was created in.
As the series begins, we find Vision somewhat amnesiac and in hiding while also creating a mind space within himself where he has saved fellow Stark AIs like JARVIS, FRIDAY, and EDITH, depicted with human avatars. They kind of serve as a council to him to help decide what action to take next, reminding me of Crazy Jane from "Doom Patrol" or the Horde from "Split". At first I thought it was kind of weird that JARVIS (represented by James D'Arcy reprising his role from "Agent Carter") was a separate entity from Vision, but it makes a lot of sense as the series progresses; I do love though that he sees himself as Vision's big brother. More importantly though, this endeavor Vision takes is much like Wanda as he tries to process his own grief and loneliness. This eventually culminates in Paul Bettany's best performance as the character in episode seven as he allows himself to confront his own vulnerability.
Also inside Vision's mind space is Ultron (reprised by James Spader), paying off the theory he absorbed him in "Age of Ultron". Having been locked in Vision's head for over a decade has made Ultron even more snarky as he acts as the devil on Vision's shoulder (though Vision now is a little more susceptible to his suggestions than before). Under that snark though is still a considerable threat to the world, with Spader delivering a performance that will make you laugh or give you chills depending on the mood the character is in.
Acting as a foil to Ultron is the introduction of Jocasta (played by T'Nia Miller). Whereas Ultron is a synthetic trying to understand humanity (while not trying to destroy it), Jocasta is a human placed in a synthetic body and is angry about what the world has done to her now and in her past life. Both have their own views on how to save the planet, and it makes them a dangerous power couple.
Another antagonist present is the Paladin (played by Todd Stashwick), a ruthless but complicated mercenary who takes up a bounty on Vision that sets the whole series of events into motion. I think what people will like about him along with his performance is his comic accurate costume and the references that show he's well-traveled within the MCU.
While we saw what became of Billy Maximoff over in "Agatha", "VisionQuest" shows his brother Tommy (now played by Ruaridh Mollica) has had a harder go of things. Whereas Billy's spirit was able to supplant himself in a body that lost its soul, Tommy's has become more entangled in a host trying to sort out two sets of memories. An orphan living on the streets and running cons, the only bright spot in Tommy's life at this point is his (possibly more than) friend Lisa (played by Lauren Morais). When he becomes roped into Paladin's hunt for Vision, the reconnection between father and son is the true heart of the series as they begin to piece back the family they thought they lost.
From one enjoyable episode to the next, "VisionQuest" will go down as another of Marvel's best series as it explores ideas of identity and belonging marked by multiple memorable performances.
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