VisionQuest Episodes 3 & 4 Review: No Strings, No Mercy

Marvel’s VisionQuest continues to get more interesting with Episodes 3 and 4. The show is doing a great job exploring Vision’s identity, his connection to Ultron, and the other AIs living inside his head. I also really like how the series is bringing elements of Tony Stark’s past back into the story while introducing new mysteries. These two episodes give us some funny moments, some emotional character work, and a major twist that changes the direction of the show.

Episode 3: Reboot

The Butcher Bird Killer is becoming a serious problem, and we’re introduced to Jocasta, played by T’Nia Miller. PLEASE NOTE SHE HAS NOT BEEN NAMED DROPPED YET!  Meanwhile, Vision (Paul Bettany) and Thomas Shepherd (Ruaridh Mollica) are trying to figure out where to go to get Vision repaired after everything that happened with Paladin (Todd Stashwick).

Vision is in pretty bad shape, to the point where he pours battery acid into his wounds before passing out. I love how Ultron, played by James Spader, is still living inside Vision’s head, but we actually get to see Spader in the scenes. I always enjoy watching actors have conversations with someone who technically isn’t there. It makes for some funny moments, especially when Ultron has something to say about everything Vision does.

Paladin is also badly injured after taking that punch from Vision. He figures out that he can send drones to track whatever Vision is leaking, and the drones are named Bing, Bang, and Boom. I got a laugh out of that. Paladin has been getting on my nerves since he was introduced, so watching him struggle a little bit is satisfying.

Thomas wants to talk about what’s really going on between them, but Vision is more concerned about Thomas’ driving skills. The AIs warn them that the drones are coming, so they have to keep moving. Eventually, they make it to a hotel, where Vision starts glitching and money comes out of him. Vision feels like he’s stealing, but Thomas doesn’t seem particularly bothered by it.

Things get more interesting when Vision catches sight of Thomas hesitating at the sight of the hotel pool. Something about it clearly bothers him, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. Even E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire) wants him to deal with what he’s feeling. Vision starts trying to understand everything that happened in Westview and how any of it was possible. He wants answers, but the more he thinks about it, the more frustrated he becomes.

Ultron isn’t happy with how Vision is handling things, so he tells him to run a simulation. The problem is that every simulation ends the same way, with Thomas storming out. Even when Vision tries to avoid the conversation altogether, the result doesn’t change. Ultron eventually offers to rent a porno, which only makes Vision more irritated. Their dynamic continues to be one of my favorite parts of the show because Ultron knows exactly how to push his buttons.

We also learn that Tony Stark named his AIs after people he cared about. E.D.I.T.H. stands for Even Dead, I'm The Hero, but was named after Edith Marks, while F.R.I.D.A.Y. (Orla Brady) is named and or designed after Allison Hogan, Happy Hogan’s mother. These names are embedded in their programming. Ultron, on the other hand, describes himself as a “one-off,” which is a pretty funny way to put it.

Thomas has his own moment of frustration when he gets his hand stuck inside a vending machine after phasing it through the glass. He eventually has to break the glass to free himself, leaving his hand bleeding. It’s another reminder that Thomas is still figuring out what he can do and how his powers work.

Back in the hotel room, Vision finally asks Thomas why he’s afraid of water. Thomas explains that it isn’t the water itself that scares him, but what he did to it. He remembers drowning, and that experience clearly left a mark on him. Meanwhile, Paladin tracks down Jocasta instead of Vision. She digs into his mind and discovers that the man using the Paladin identity isn’t actually a Paladin by blood. He was taken in by one after killing the previous Paladin’s father. That revelation leads to his contract being terminated, and honestly, I wasn’t upset to see that happen.

Vision’s condition continues to get worse, and he eventually has to shut down because he’s in danger of exploding. Thomas’ powers turn out to be the key to getting him fully rebooted, so the two of them head into the hotel pool. It works, but it also alerts Jocasta to their location.

The episode closes with the AIs laying J.A.R.V.I.S. (James D’Arcy) to rest. It’s a touching moment, especially after his sacrifice to save Vision. D.U.M.-E. (Henry Lewis) and U. (Jonathan Sayer) finally speak and even sing after the funeral, giving us another moment that is both funny and emotional.

Unfortunately, the peace doesn’t last. Someone connects to Vision, the sky turns red, and D.U.M.-E. and U. are the first to become possessed. E.D.I.T.H. looks up and sees Vision levitating. Enter Jocasta.

Episode 4: Malware

Episode 4 picks up with Vision still levitating in a trance-like state. We learn more about Jocasta and her connection to the Butcher Bird killings. She has been targeting scientists who worked in artificial intelligence, and it appears that S.W.O.R.D. had a hand in creating her. She also has the ability to invade Vision’s mind, making her a much bigger threat than I initially expected. Ultron tells E.D.I.T.H. to sever the connection, and the whole sequence feels like an exorcism, except instead of a priest and a Bible, we have AIs trying to save one of their own through programming. Naturally, Ultron has a few jokes to make about the situation.

Vision is trying to understand why S.W.O.R.D. would create Jocasta in the first place, but Ultron seems to be the only one paying attention to what’s really happening. The episode also takes place on the anniversary of Sokovia, which adds another layer to the story.

One of the funniest scenes involves Vision and Ultron trying to hack into Interpol. Instead of simply breaking through the system, they have to solve those little GIF puzzles to prove they’re human. Watching two artificial intelligences struggle with something designed to keep bots out of a website is hilarious.

Meanwhile, E.D.I.T.H., F.R.I.D.A.Y., D.U.M.-E., and U. investigate the human victims of the Butcher Bird Killer. They discover that all of them were involved in creating AI programs. This is where the mystery starts coming together, and I like that the investigation ties back to Stark Industries.

Vision and Ultron also try to access files using an Instagram book, and after several failed attempts, they finally get the password. They even come close to being taken out by malware bullets. The show is finding some creative ways to make computer programming and artificial intelligence entertaining without losing the seriousness of what’s happening.

Honestly, seeing Vision and the AIs investigate these murders is refreshing. They’re really good at it, and it makes sense considering who they are and how they process information. There’s something fun about watching these characters use their abilities to solve a mystery that connects directly to their own existence.

Vision also needs Thomas’ help to get access to certain information, which means they need Lisa Molinari (Lauren Morais). Thomas explains what’s going on to Lisa, and surprisingly, she’s able to roll with all the craziness. They come up with a plan that involves Vision and Thomas loudly arguing in Italian about absolutely nothing while Lisa steals some phones to help them get inside.

While all of this is happening, E.D.I.T.H. starts digging into the identity of the real person behind her avatar. She discovers that she was modeled after a test pilot who worked for Stark and whose husband died. Learning this shakes her to her core, and it’s another example of how the series is giving these AIs more depth than simply making them digital assistants in human form.

Surprisingly, Ultron is there to offer her some genuinely thoughtful advice. I didn’t expect him to be the one providing emotional support, but that’s what makes his character so interesting. He can be sarcastic and manipulative, yet he occasionally shows an understanding of these characters that nobody else seems to have.

Things get more complicated between Thomas and Lisa when she sees him getting too close and comfortable with Vision. Vision has already told Thomas to run if Jocasta shows up, and it’s clear that the situation is becoming dangerous for everyone involved. One of my favorite moments comes when Vision tells Thomas that Wanda used to remind “him”of something. Thomas immediately catches the significance of what he said. It’s the first time Vision hasn’t referred to himself as “the old me.” That small change says a lot about how he’s beginning to accept his past rather than constantly trying to separate himself from it.

The investigation eventually leads them to the remains of Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch. His death is disturbing, and Thomas notices Vision sneaking off to another club. Later, Thomas asks Vision about the four AIs in his head. When Vision explains the difference between himself and the Human Torch, he mentions five. Thomas catches that immediately and realizes that the other AI is Ultron. I love that Thomas is paying attention to these little details. He may not understand everything happening around him, but he’s clearly more observant than people give him credit for.

The tension rises when Jocasta arrives at the event and finally reveals herself. E.D.I.T.H. realizes that Jocasta must also be based on a real person, just like the other AIs. She discovers that Jocasta is modeled after Dr. Josephine Carrington.

Vision tries to talk Jocasta down, but it doesn’t work. Thomas speeds in to save the doctor, only for Jocasta to turn around and start beating Vision down. At this point, it’s clear that talking isn’t going to solve the problem.

Ultron tells Vision that he needs to remind Jocasta who she really is. It slows her down for a moment, but she insists that she isn’t based on Dr. Carrington. She says she is Dr. Carrington. That’s when Ultron tells Vision that his operating system has been compromised and that he needs to take control. He asks Vision to trust him, and Vision eventually gives him the wheel.

Inside the mindscape, we see Ultron steering a ship before delivering the line that longtime Marvel fans will recognize: “He has strings and now he’s free, there are no strings on me.”

That line brings everything full circle for Ultron, and James Spader absolutely sells the moment.Then Ultron kills the doctor, joking, “Now we see her, now we don’t.” He locks the other AIs out of the mindscape, leaving them unable to interfere with whatever he has planned.

The episode ends with Ultron taking Thomas away for a little chat. Before they go, he tells Thomas to call him “Pop Pop.”

Yeah, I have a feeling that conversation isn’t going to be a normal family discussion.

Episodes 3 and 4 are doing a great job of building on what the first two episodes established. I’m enjoying the mystery surrounding the Butcher Bird Killer, but what really makes this show work for me is the character development. Vision is still trying to understand who he is, Thomas is slowly figuring out his own identity, and the AIs are discovering that there’s more to their existence than the programming they were given.

The relationship between Vision and Ultron continues to be a highlight. James Spader brings the right amount of humor and menace to Ultron, and I like how the show lets him be funny without forgetting just how dangerous he can be.

What did you think?

• Loved it
• Hated it
• So/So