With Only Two Episodes Left, VISIONQUEST’s “Firewall” and “Deadlock” Disappoint at a Crucial Time

If the last two episodes represented a turning point for VisionQuest, episodes 5 and 6 represent another turn, but this time, one in the worst direction it could possibly take. For what other Marvel Television series were their highest rated episodes, the 75% point in VisionQuest is nothing short of a significant letdown. Firewall and Deadlock, apart from picking up on a really interesting cliffhanger, add basically nothing to the show’s overall plot, solving the questions left unanswered in the most predictable way possible. In  the end of Firewall, Vision is set free from Ultron’s mindscape with the only condition being letting Ultron also be free in the real world; fans were expecting either a battle or at least a philosophical debate, none of which took place.

Some of the only additions across the two episodes were the twisted love story between Ultron and Jocasta, some explanations regarding Jocasta backstory, and Lisa being controlled by one of Jocasta’s nanorobots which encapsulates the scientist’s consciousness. The common ground regarding these three main additions is Jocasta’s character; which is, perhaps, the issue, since the audience has quite literally no connection to her. Her entire backstory is new and — having been introduced while the audience is focused on Vision, Ultron, and Tommy — not memorable. Something that was a signature aspect of many Marvel Television series is missing here — a reason for the audience to care about ‘new’ characters that is grounded in previous productions (think the Woo, Rambeau, and Lewis crew in WandaVision or simply Yelena’s return in Hawkeye). 

The crucial relationship development fans wanted to see was Tommy and Vision so keeping them apart for two entire episodes might not have been the best of ideas. The scene where they meet again seems to be a setback for their relationship, not being as emotional as the ten times Vision said something along the lines of “We need to find Thomas!” set it up to be. 

Some of the episodes’ highlights were the scenes that mention WandaVision, specifically the one where Tommy finds out about the Hex and the alternate reality his new consciousness was created in. The lack of an inquiry regarding his brother for 6 episodes is nothing short of unsettling, especially since the general audience already knows Billy Maximoff will return in the show.

The absolute highlight from the episodes was one of the last scenes in Deadlock, featuring a message from the Client, directed to Vision: “You died for love. But rebuilt, reborn without that love… A tin man without a heart. I can give you that heart”. Though I was somewhat disappointed to not have a reveal by now, that does leave the audience somewhat hopeful for a shocking reveal in episode 7.