The narrative has offered plenty of fun. It's cool with its presentation and style. It ponders big questions about humanity and the dependence on technology. However, the creeping thought has popped in that the story is trying to tackle too much. It's presented two unique narrative threads that are clearly escalating. They both involve Vision. He helps tie everything together. And yet, one can't help but worry that one element of the story will eventually be a letdown. The narrative has built up the mystery of The Client's identity. Plenty has been offered about the Paladin's backstory. The effort has been made to present him with a unique perspective. The threats mostly come across as big reveals of who is really pulling the strings. Someone else always lurks nearby to dramatically shake things up. That cycle of escalation can be entertaining. It keeps everyone guessing as to what's coming next. Ultimately, the show has to land somewhere. Otherwise, it risks lessening the impact of Vision telling Tommy the truth about WandaVision. The memories Tommy has aren't of Vision at all. Instead, they are the personification of grief as experienced by Wanda Maximoff. The world is complex and full of secrets. As such, it's important to hold onto constants and cherish them for as long as possible.
Vision and Paladin have dealt with each other enough to know how best to neutralize the other. Paladin is still armed with adamantium bullets. His supply is running low. His operation has its weaknesses that can be hacked. Meanwhile, Vision's behavior has become predictable. It's far too cute when Tommy proclaims that Paladin has turned him into Speed. That's a reference to the movie starring Keanu Reeves that doesn't make much sense as Paladin explains. He's also completely bluffing about embedding Tommy with a bomb that will be triggered by excessive motion. Paladin has already proven to be armed with a wide array of technology. Anything is technically possible. That's just a bridge too far. He has his limitations. He comes back with a vengeance later on when his van enters lockdown mode. It wouldn't be easy for Tommy and Lisa to steal. That wouldn't align with how protective and skilled the Palladin has been up to this point. It also places Tommy and Lisa's lives needlessly in danger. Sure, it's fun when E.D.I.T.H. comes in to save the day. The 8-bit animation style she delivers is fun. Those are the flourishes that work. But again, the stakes are only escalated because The Client has hired a new hunter to obtain Vision.
The AIs came from Tony Stark. He utilized the technology to build his company and the Avengers. That connection has long been apparent. As such, it's understandable why the narrative provides more threads to Iron Man's stories. It's also completely random when the new bounty hunter shows up and it's Raza al-Wazar. Paladin even exclaims his surprise over Raza still being alive. It's only meaningful to the viewers who recall the character from Iron Man, which was released in 2008! A lot has happened in the Marvel Cinematic Universe across nearly 20 years. Plus, the reveal is undercut by The Client hijacking the deal. The mysterious party proclaims to know what Vision is missing. He can obtain his soul again if he surrenders himself now. That doesn't happen. It's a tempting offer. It's also a development for the motives behind this mysterious figure. A reason is given as to why Vision must be found now. The longer the show waits on this reveal though the more likely the audience will be disappointed. That happened previously during the adventures in Madripoor in 2021's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Nothing more has happened with the Power Broker since then either. This narrative trilogy has offered big twists that have paid off. Those occurred for characters the story chose to invest in early and often. That may not be coming here despite the fun that's been had.
Elsewhere, Ultron seeks to know Jocasta. She wants to be known too. As such, they quickly become the perfect pairing. It's ominous. F.R.I.D.A.Y. is right to monitor this threat. She reports back in when something concerning happens. Dr. Josephine Carrington pursued neuroscience after her father died from a degenerative neurological disease. She birthed artificial intelligence that can think. When she was dying from the same disease, her product was sold to a weapons manufacturer. That's all Tony Stark was at that point. She thought her nanobots could be linked to humanity. That would solve loneliness. Every person would have an assistant in their ear helping them all the time. The solution isn't to make machines more human. The opposite is true. Humans need to become more like machines. Jocasta seeks to control humanity. She sees herself and Ultron as Queen and King. They can dictate how humanity moves forward. Jocasta has one bot ready to act as well. Lisa becomes the target. All of this creates mess for Vision and Tommy to contend with. It's a lot happening. The romance between Tommy and Lisa needs to become realized to make the sting hit later on. Ultron protecting Tommy may have ulterior motives. It's all building to Ultron and Jocasta coming to love each other. It doesn't matter who they were or if they are just copies of the originals. They are all that matters. That's sweet in a twisted way. But again, they aren't the only plot of importance happening. The story remains divided with only two episodes left.
