It’s easy to see how VisonQuest could be irritating
for some with its clever dialogue and sudden tone shifts but these are advantages
as far as I’m concerned. The dialogue for example is witty even in what seem
like throwaway comments. At times, it has the rhythm of a sitcom while still
being quite serious when it needs to be. Visually it plays with TV imagery in a
similar way to WandaVision. Its an appealing mix if you’re willing to go
with it and these two episodes double down on those aspects as the series
improves further.
Even what could be
serious moments are often given an amusing element. In one scene where the hitherto AI characters
are having a funeral for JARVIS, the so far silent maintenance bots suddenly make their voices heard; DUMB-E to deliver a Keats poem after which U
starts to sing `Danny Boy`. These moments were so unexpected they made me laugh
out loud. Yet shortly afterwards the two become menacing figures with glowing
red eyes as something invades the software. In fact this comes soon after
Vision has been saved by Tommy’s speed powers, an uplifting scene but the mood
soon shifts leaving Vision hanging in mid- air by the episode’s end.
This show also likes to play around with what’s real and
what isn’t on multiple levels- not just for the viewer but the characters as
well. Amidst the high concepts though, there are moments of very human drama
that ground matters. Given the large amount of backstory- which the production
covers efficiently- this aspect is essential. So when Vision is trying to think
of ways to communicate meaningfully with Tommy- who is desperate to know about
his own past- it turns out he tries lots of simulations but each one ends with
the boy storming out. Of course Ultron is there too, critiquing each one!
Paul Bettany and Ruaridh Mollica are very empathic
performers whose work in this episode lifts what might be somewhat melodramatic
circumstances into something quite relatable. Bettany has to shift through
several moods when Vision to glitch while Mollica is called upon to convey some
very conflicting emotions. Both of them do this so well thar there’s something cathartic
about the swimming pool scene, it feels joyous like an end of season finale
sort of way though that isn’t going to last long in such a busy series.
James Spader continues to saviour Ultron’s pithy lines which
means we kind of like the character even though we know he’ll do something bad
sooner or later. Ultron’s interest in the so-called Butcherbird case, which
we’ve seen him following on the multiple tv sets in his room suddenly becomes
more central to the plot;, In a very well filmed sequence near the start of the
episode we see this killer for the first time - hooded with two glowing red
eyes - when they carry out their latest kill. It does seem a pity to use an
actor like Art Malik in such a small role as the victim but it makes for a
striking scene set in semi darkness high up in an apartment block. Had episode
four not been dropped together with this episode there might have been a week
of online speculation as to the identity of the killer though all we know from
episode three is that the victims are all members of the board of the company
that pioneered whatever tech makes Vison tick.
Later the killer faces Paladin, whose background we look
into a little this episode. If this seems familiar (its basically the difficult
father story assigned to probably half of all superhero characters) then Todd
Stashwick gives Paladin some depth and measure making up for a slightly
undercooked component.
The fourth episode is probably the best so far, though it
appears more conventional there is alot going on. One little side note is when
Vision faces the at the time unnamed antagonist the latter declares that he
will only be harmed if he gets in the way. Vision is not the specific target
and judging from his reaction I think he’s affronted by that! Initially the Ai
team are trying to work things out, Ultron sitting nearby pretending to read
the newspaper. “Are you going to help or snipe?” Vision asks him and after a
pause he replies “snipe.” Yet its Ultron who provides the key realisations that
lead the two of them to investigate further inside the company’s system posing
as suitably attired FBI investigators. “You look good,” say Vision whereupon
Ultron replies; “You look good. I look straight to video.” This exchange is typical
of the banter that flows between the two, their similarity in being AI seems to
sometimes surmount their differences. This is an amusing sequence poking fun at
some familiar security protocols we’ve all encountered like the gallery of
photos in which you have to identify the ones with traffic lights.
Where this eventually leads is an undercover operation as
Vision, Tommy and Lisa (the latter accepting their story a bit too easily
perhaps?) covertly get into one of those handy fundraising galas that are the
mainstay of spy dramas in a bid to save the last surviving board member,
Katrina Wells, who is the event’s sponsor. The last third of the episode plays out at
this occasion and it’s really well assembled. Some of you may be familiar with
the Doctor Who episode `Utopia`, specifically the last hectic ten
minutes or so when there are several things happening and every line of
dialogue is important. Its almost too much to pick up everything on one watch.
This longer sequence has a similar mood, full of foreboding because you
increasingly sense danger.
It brings together so many different character interactions
into which the villain, identifying herself as Jacosta arrives. Minutes later
revealed as Jo Carrington, supposedly dead for years and the originator of the
technology that enabled beings like Vision and Ultron to be created. She’s played
by T’Nia Miller with suitable menace and the narrative turns again when Vision
realises he can’t match her and gives Ultron control. Whereupon Paul Bettany
transforms into an evil version of himself; again showing how versatile the
actor is, facing her with those two red eyes being visible in Katrina’s
spectacles. All this while Tommy is still processing that Vision has been
talking to Ultron the whole time. The masterfully scripted episode- by Michael
Taylor- also has enough space for some more philosophical thoughts about AI.
It’s definitely an unexpected turn of events that makes for
thrilling viewing. Though it does raise the question - can a series have too
many antagonists?
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