THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF THE "WANDAVISION" FINALE

The finale of the hit series WandaVision reveals the mysterious origin and future of the Avengers' most powerful member, the Scarlett Witch. Thanks to this unique self-aware miniseries, she gets the acknowledgment deserving of Wanda's character, now that she doesn't have dozens of heroes with whom to compete for runtime. Let's not forget, Wanda was the only Avenger to nearly destroy Thanos in Endgame. Had it not been for his spaceship full of canons, she would have succeeded. That is incredible power, but it is also frightening, painful, and dangerous.

The small, isolated town of Westview unfortunately must learn this the hard way when Wanda comes to town while harboring a myriad of unresolved issues. Anger, loss, grief. Feelings so powerful that it affects every one of Westview's residents. Her inner turmoil becomes theirs. Until she overcomes her grief, the people around her will never be free.

The nine episodes of WandaVision explores her journey to find acceptance that awaits at the end of her grieving process before she loses control and potential ends the world. At least, that's what the prophesy says, according to her witchy "friend" Agnus. Wanda will not accept that fate. She wants to be better than that. But how?

Wanda must grasp better control of her appropriately named Chaos Magic, because it has already begun to seize control of her and the town of Westview. So much so, Wanda does understand the extent of her abilities or her hurtful effects on the people around her. She is in denial, the first stage of grief.

She places a barrier between Westview and the rest of the world where she can live comfortably in a fantasy world. She gives herself an idyllic family life with a devoted husband and two loving children. She lives a fantasy while everyone around her must suffer. They feel the anguish that she will not accept. It makes them want to die. In order to free the town, she must take back the grief and own her actions. Ultimately, she must let go of her fantasy.

Wanda is so lost in her chaotic fantasy that she doesn't notice the two intruders. They are attracted to her power through the power of her Hex. Each sees a tremendous power and feels compelled to reach out to Wanda. Their goals are united in guiding Wanda back to reality, but they each have different motives.

" Energy vampiresare people who drain your emotional energy, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed."

The nosy neighbor can be a nightmare who judges, harass, and give unnecessary advice to others. Not Agatha. She is a model neighbor with her perfect timing and lavish gifts. Worse, she tells Wanda everything she wants to hear. A fake friend always does. While feeding Wanda's ego, she works behind the scenes to sabotage the fantasy world around them.

She is a stereotypical villain, wanting to live forever and be the most powerful witch in the world. She drains power from others that she deems undeserving. The truth is she is the undeserving one. She kills other gifted women by draining their abilities and by extension their life force.

This is her intention with Wanda. She knows Wanda's potential for power, and she wants it. So, she is willing to do anything to get it, even by pretending to be her friend. She feeds Wanda's denial with lies and false friendship. Though it feels good in the moment, it holds back Wanda's potential. It's diabolical, terrible, and false. Worse, it doesn't help Wanda overcome her grief.

With Agatha as a friend , Wanda would die.

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood. -Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Wanda has a true friend in Monica who is the opposite of Agatha. Monica is a sword agent, an extension of the Avengers. She speaks the truth in a brutally direct way. Wanda finds it off-putting, even though Monica's message is what she needs to hear. Wanda pushes her away, but Monica cares enough not to give up on her. All she wants is to ease Wanda's suffering before it spreads beyond Westview.

The two women share trauma. Monica lost her mother so suddenly that she never has the chance to say goodbye. She lacks closure, just like Wanda. Their shared trauma gives Monica credibility with Wanda. Unlike other "friends, she has compassion and empathy.

Her power is a gift based on that shared experience: profound insight. She can see the unfiltered world around her. She knows the truth. Thus, she has a better opportunity to help Wanda than anyone else. She is Wanda's true friend.

Oddly enough, both women help Wanda overcome her grief. Same method, different motive. Agatha unintentionally gives Wanda knowledge by showing her some runes and an ancient book. That is her flaw, because she underestimates Wanda's intelligence. Agatha uses knowledge to corrupt the truth. Monica uses life experience to give her uncorrupted truth.

Either way, the truth sets Wanda free.

Who is Wanda? She is the Scarlett Witch and an Avenger. Her witch half has the potential to destroy the world. Her Avenger half can save the world. Which will she choose?

After her transformation, she leaves Westview to learn more about her prophecy. She studies Agatha's book. Knowledge transforms her. Knowledge can help her skills grow. What will her pursuit for knowledge reveal to her?

Learn more from her story with future Marvel installments on Disney+.