Following the events of WandaVision, Vision embarks on a journey to better understand what it means to be human. He finds companionship among the artificial intelligences living within his mind, but his quiet existence is disrupted when a bounty hunter comes after him. The pursuit leads to an unexpected discovery: one of the children created during Wanda's Hex may still be alive.

Artificial Intelligence

Vision has settled in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he works at a pub he and Wanda frequented while they were on the run after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Each night, he goes into the pub's walk-in freezer, shuts down and retreats into a simulated world inside his mind, populated by familiar AI characters from across the MCU: J.A.R.V.I.S., E.D.I.T.H., F.R.I.D.A.Y., DUM-E, U, and Ultron. To conserve resources, the AI inhabitants are supposed to appear as humans in this virtual environment. As Vision tells Ultron, "HUMAN AVATARS ONLY!" (It's clearly a plot device designed to save money).

Although this Vision retains the memories of the hero introduced in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he has no personal connection to that past. He hopes the other AI can help him reconnect with the Vision who came before him. Most are willing to help, but Ultron resents being reduced to a glorified therapist and believes himself enslaved. Considering his history, one could argue that Ultron better described as imprisoned, even if he still refuses to see himself as the villain of his own story.

Ultron accuses Vision of hiding from his past. When Vision refuses to face the issue, Ultron retaliates by sending a data pigeon into the outside world to reveal the former Avenger's whereabouts.

Real World

In the real world, Paladin has received Ultron's message and sets out to capture Vision. His team storms the pub, but the raid takes a tragic turn when they accidentally kill Fiona, Vision's boss and friend. Forced to flee, Vision spots Paladin watching him. The encounter leaves him considering whether he should shut himself down indefinitely, sparking a debate among the AI living in his mind. F.R.I.D.A.Y. supports Vision's decision, while J.A.R.V.I.S., DUM-E, and U unexpectedly align themselves with Ultron and argue for remaining online.

Elsewhere, a young con artist is making a living by swindling people in London. While escaping from his latest target, he learns that Vision has been spotted alive in Scotland. The news triggers a panic attack, and matters get worse when Paladin shows up. The bounty hunter has been investigating Vision's past, uncovering the story of the Hex, Wanda, and their children, Billy and Tommy. He realizes the young grifter, identified as Thomas Shepherd, is Tommy Maximoff, Vision and Wanda's son, who becomes the speedster known as Speed in Marvel Comics. Paladin then makes contact with Vision's virtual world to deliver the news: a part of the family he lost in Westview may still be out there.

Final Thoughts

This was a wild way to kick off the series, with plenty of highlights along the way. Paul Bettany and James Spader have terrific chemistry as Vision and Ultron, making their dynamic as friendly adversaries one of the episode’s biggest strengths. E.D.I.T.H. is also a delight, thanks in large part to Emily Hampshire, whom viewers may recognize from Schitt’s Creek. Todd Stashwick is equally compelling as Paladin, although I suspect he may not be the show's ultimate villain. As a bounty hunter, he seems more like someone pursuing a job than a character driven by an outright desire to do evil.

My biggest concern is whether this series has arrived at the right time. With so much negative attention surrounding artificial intelligence, it may be difficult for some viewers to embrace a story about an AI who develops a life of his own. As a comic-book fan, I understand Vision's history and have been looking forward to this series ever since Agatha All Along concluded. Still, I wonder whether the show's premise will be a harder sell for audiences wary of AI operating without meaningful oversight. Ultron's own history is a reminder of just how dangerous that scenario can become when an artificial intelligence develops destructive intentions.

Despite those concerns, I'm eager to see where the story goes from here. I'm particularly hopeful that Billy and Agatha will make appearances before the series wraps up. Seeing Wanda return would be an even bigger treat, although I'm not sure we should count on it.

Check out VisionQuest streaming exclusively on Disney+.