Alternative Culture: WandaVision theological review

 

Recently, I managed to watch the long awaited series WandaVision on Disney Plus. As a result, I will do a theological review of it by discussing some of the events of the series. Thus there are SPOILERS ahead.

Synopsis
Unable to cope with her grief of losing Vision, Wanda creates a reality based on TV sitcoms from the 1950s to early 2000s. In this reality, the citizens of West View are brainwashed in becoming extras. Hence the agency SWORD and the FBI dispatch agents to rescue West View and to investigate the cause of Wanda's mental breakdown.

Comforting Lies vs Hurtful Truth
One of the theme's explored by the show is the question of whether Wanda's reality is whether it is beneficial to Wanda (and the residents of West View). Wanda created a family for herself, and a simple, carefree life for her neighbours. (While it is not explicitly implied, Wanda did provide for their town's basic needs as well as making relatives of the residents forget them and thus worry.)

This weirdly echoes the attitude of our current world, which advocates for changing current realities to avoid serious conversations. For instance, sports authorities rather let transgenders have an unfair advantage in woman's sports than to deal with serious repercussions of it. The Washington Post would rather maintain the narrative that Trump is evil bully rather than to give a truthful nuance report.

Why is that so? Because it is so much easier to live in created falsehood in which we are heroes, or have "made it" in life. Real life is tough, competitive and merciless. Yet it is real. If we are unable to identify reality, we will be ill-suited to come up with pragmatic or realistic solutions to our circumstance.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. -- Romans 1:25

Question of identity
Another theme that pleased me was the conclusion of the battle between the two Visions. There is the Vision which Wanda conjured up (Wanda's Vision), and the other which was reassembled from the original Vision's destroyed body (Body Vision).

The Body Vision was programmed to eliminate Wanda and Wanda's Vision, as SWORD saw them both as a threat to humanity. During the confrontation between the two Visions, Wanda's Vision rightly brings up the ship of Theseus argument: Who is the real Vision? 

After all, Wanda's Vision has the personality of the original vision but not his body. Body Vision has the physical parts of original Vision but not his personality. Only by sharing memories, does Body Vision finally make the right decision and deicide to abandon his programming.

This parallels the Christian concept of salvation -- without the Holy Spirit, humans will never convert accept Christ. Our inherent nature or "programming" is geared towards rejecting Christ. Only via the Holy Spirit will we be able to go on the right path of salvation.

The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. -- Romans 8:7-9

Conclusion
There are things I did not like about WandaVision, especially the stuff that were not logical.

The Director of Sword randomly decides to shoot to two unarmed children. Wanda is portrayed as a hero who sacrificed her dream instead of an anti-villain who brained-washed civilians. A FBI agent can be expelled by SWORD despite it being a cooperative investigation.

In addition, the build-up was slow; it took three episodes to finally establish the plot.

Despite this, I still enjoyed WandaVision and encourage people to watch it.

Alternative Culture: Japan Sinks review

 

It is well known that the Japanese home islands were formed by volcanic eruptions. But what happens if the islands start sinking? That is the scenario that Japan Sinks seeks to explore in the year 2020.

Synopsis

Japan Sinks follows the adventures of the Muto family as they attempt to survive the collapse of the Japanese home islands. Aided by strangers (including the enigmatic Kite) along the way, the Muto family overcome challenge after challenge to find refuge from the disaster. But will there be true safety from the disaster? How different will the Muto family be post-disaster?

Theological review
There are many themes explored in the ten-episode long series. For instance, there was a storyline involving a cult and the strength of their religion. There were also an arc showing the racism of some Japanese nationalists. Yet I just want to write about one of the themes.

When it all falls apart, what do you hold on to?
One of the things that kept the Muto family going was that they hold something to hold onto. Initially it was the unflinching optimism of Koichiro (the father) that drove the family, followed by sheer determination of Mori (the mother). Due to changing circumstances, the family and their associated group repeatedly have to change their motivations for going on.

Thus the members are consistently demoralised as their source of hope is unseated over and over again during the series.

What about us?
Japan Sinks is a thought-provoking film as it brings us to the age-old question: What is our source of hope? When things go wrong, who do we turn to?

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast.
 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you. -- Psalms (139: 7-12)

Alternative Culture: The Big Show Show review

 

When I was younger I used to watch professional wrestling. Paul Wight (aka the Big Show) was one of my favourite wrestlers. So when the Big Show Show aired on Netflix, I had to catch it.

Synopsis

The Big Show Show stars the fictitious family of the Big Show: Paul Wight, his (second) wife Cassy, his eldest daughter Lola (from Paul's first marriage), second daughter Mandy and youngest daughter JJ.

The series starts off with Lola moving from Minnesota to stay with Paul and Cassy in Florida. Lola's mother had taken a job in Belgium. Tension and hilarity arises as the family has to adjust to Paul's retirement and Lola's unfamiliarity with life in Florida.

Theological thoughts

I know this movie is not meant Christian show, and that the "family" are all actors. Yet the strength of the family bonds, especially between Lola and her rest of the gang appeals to me all the same.

Even though Lola is not off Cassy's blood, Cassy still managed to adjust her lifestyle (such as finding out Lola's music tastes etc) to allow Lola to feel as comfortable as possible. This made Lola feel part of the family.

This echoes the family-nature of the Church, and how attractive it is to non-Christians.

 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 15:35)

Review

The Big Show Show is a call-back to the wholesome nature of family-centric comedies. While not ground-breaking in any way, it has interesting scenarios like a politically-active daughter and a career-focused wife during a holiday cruise.

I considered it as a decent show.