Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for VisionQuest episodes 5 & 6
Marvel Studios' new VisionQuest series continues to have some of the best Easter eggs and worthwhile references to the greater MCU. Starring Paul Bettany as Vision, the new show has been doing a wonderful job feeling connected to the universe in all sorts of meaningful ways, and the latest episodes are no different.
Thanks to VisionQuest episodes 5 and 6, the new Disney+ series provides an exciting collection of new Easter eggs, comic book ties, and nods to the wider MCU, expanding the stories of Vision and his fellow AI, including James Spader's Ultron. As the trilogy ender to an arc including WandaVision and Agatha All Along, there are also some wonderful connections to two of the MCU's best shows of all time, particularly as Ruaridh Mollica's Thomas Shepard learns more about the new memories and life that once belonged to Tommy Maximoff.
While there are some Easter eggs in these new episodes that tease an exciting future for VisionQuest and beyond, several more act as dynamic tributes to the original comics source material, past films, and more. Keeping that in mind, here are over 35 major Easter eggs, references, ties, and MCU nods you might have missed in VisionQuest episodes 5 and 6.
A Real Son Of A Witch — Inhabiting Vision's body in VisionQuest episode 5, Ultron responds to an insult from Tommy by calling him a "real son of a witch", referencing Thomas' connection to Tommy Maximoff, son of the Scarlet Witch.
I ,Ultron — Enjoying his newfound free rein in the Mindscape Mansion, Ultron is shown reading a novel with his own face on the cover entitled I, Ultron. Not only is it apparently a Sokovia Times Bestseller, but it also has quotes on the cover raving about the book from...Ultron himself. Additionally, the title itself is likely a nod to I, Robot.
Even More Classic TV References — Trapped within the attic (Ultron's old room), EDITH questions why he has so many TV guides and yet none of them carry any information on typical classic shows like Family Ties, Cheers, or Star Trek.
FRIDAY Was Once An Avenger — EDITH questions FRIDAY's reluctance to take on Ultron like she once did with the Avengers, referencing the events of 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron and the Battle of Sokovia (where FRIDAY first became Tony Stark's new AI assistant)
Jocasta’s Jewelry — Even in her human form, Jocasta's jewelry evokes her more robotic form, particularly the silver ear cuff.
Hannibal Lecter — Watching footage of Ultron and Jocasta flirting, EDITH makes the comment that it's like "Hannibal Lecter" swiping right", a reference to the fictional intellectual serial-killer made most famous on-screen by actor Anthony Hopkins, who played Odin in the MCU.
A Romance With Casualties — Throughout VisionQuest's newest episodes, Ultron and Jocasta flirt and develop a romantic relationship, one Jocasta initially says would be a"romance with casualties." Combined with Ultron's "Honey, I'm home" and quips about the two of them needing counseling, it's all based on the comics precedent that the Jocasta on the page was indeed created by Ultron to be his robotic bride.
“Grace In Their Failings” — Ultron echoes the same line Vision once told him about humanity at the very end of 2015's Age of Ultron, showing how Ultron's perspective on humility has shifted in the years since we last saw him in live-action, at least when it comes to humanity's pain and expression through art.
Starlings — Jo Carriginton's fascination with starlings works well considering her desire for humanity to become more united and coordinated via a digital hive mind. However, Clarice Starling also comes to mind, especially so soon after EDITH's joke referring to Ultron as Hannibal Lecter.
Heroic Landings — As Vision jumps down the mansion's elevator shaft, EDITH makes recommendations about pulling off heroic landings. One can imagine that Deadpool might have given some tips of his own, as would Yelena Belova given her own feelings about landings and superhero poses.
Ultron’s Digital Form — Exiting the Mindscape Mansion and finally free, Ultron transforms into his blue and fully digital form, first seen at the beginning of 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Bizet's Habanera — Visiting Jocasta's mindscape, Bizet's ""Carmen Suite 1: Habanera" is heard playing, one of the most classic operas of all time which is frequently used in all sorts of media, including Ms. Marvel episode 1.
2008 — VisionQuest episode 6 reveals that Jo Carrington died in 2008. 2008 was the same year as Iron Man, the first movie from Marvel Studios and the dawn of the MCU.
Requiem in D Minor — Mozart's "Requiem in D Minor" is later heard within Jocasta's mindscape, another iconic piece of classical music frequently used in all kinds of media, including Nightcrawler's infamous opening scene in X2: X-Men United.
Billy Maximoff/WandaVision Theme — While unconscious in Paladin's van, Thomas Shepard experiences flashes of memory from Westview and Wanda's Hex, including Billy and the classic WandaVision theme from the show's first episode.
Negotiations With The Ten Rings — Paladin's handler (now revealed to be his own personal tactical AI), was apparently the one who set up the deal with the Ten Rings to get Paladin his adamantium bullets and armor.
Speed — While Thomas was referencing the Keanu Reeves movies of the same name, Speed is Shepard's superhero name in the comics. The interaction is also a hilarious moment for Paladin to clarify that Keanu's name in the movie wasn't Speed, just like Nicolas Cage wasn't called The Rock, and Bruce Willis wasn't "Detective Die Hard."
Princess Bar — Having taken Thomas to Madripoor's Lowtown, the Princess Bar can be seen in the background, a classic location from the comics often frequented by Wolverine, and was heavily featured in Insomniac's recent Wolverine game.
EDITH’s First Boss — As Vision struggles to deal with teenagers like Thomas and Lisa, EDITH responds that her first boss was a junior in high school, a fun reference to Tom Holland's Spider-Man when Peter Parker was given possession of the EDITH glasses in 2019's Far From Home.
Proto-One — Jo Carrington/Jocasta reveals that she and her colleagues created a basic AI template known as Proto-One after mapping her own mind. This AI is voiced by Paul Bettany, as Proto-One would eventually become JARVIS in the MCU.
Stark Creating Villains — Jocasta reveals that the AI template was sold to Stark Industries, expressing her anger that her life's work was sold to a weapons manufacturer. Once again, Tony Stark plays a role in yet another MCU villain's origins (Iron Monger, Whiplash, Justin Hammer, Aldrich Killian, Ultron, Wanda & Pietro Maximoff, Zemo, Vulture, Mysterio, Ezekiel Stane, and now Jocasta).
Jericho Missile — Jo Carrington is shown watching Tony Stark's test of the Jericho Missle in 2008's Iron Man, suggesting that she died during or shortly after the events of the first Iron Man movie.
Thanos — Thanks to the data pulled up by Vision, it's revealed that Paladin was one of the many who was snapped from existence by Thanos during the Decimation.
Paladin Unmasked — Vision also confirms that Paladin's real name is Paul Denning, the most frequently used alias by Paladin in the comics.
Chimp House Cafe — Vision's stand-off with Paladin to get Thomas back takes place outside the "Chimp House Cafe", which is most likely a nod to the "Brass Monkey Saloon" that was visited by Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and Baron Helmut Zemo during the events of 2021's Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, where Madripoor first made its MCU debut.
Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar Returns — Agents of the Ten Rings enter the scene as additional players hired by "The Client" following Paladin's multiple failures to bring in the Vision. Remarkably, they're led by none other than Raza Al-Wazar (Faran Tahir) who hasn't been seen in the MCU since 2008's Iron Man.
In the first MCU movie, Raza was the leader of a Ten Rings cell located in Afghanistan who attacked and kidnapped Tony Stark while in league with Obadiah Stane. However, Raza was betrayed by Stane and left for dead, only to reappear now in VisionQuest, complete with facial scars received from Tony Stark's cave escape.
The Mystery Machine — Thomas refers to Paladin's van as the Mystery Machine, a fun nod to the van used by Mystery Gang in the Scooby-Doo franchise.
Star Trek’s Scotty — After taking a bullet to his midsection, Paladin puts on a Scottish agent and impersonates Star Trek's Scotty, talking about how "the ship can't take much more" (the second Star Trek reference in VisionQuest's latest two episodes).
Jocasta Receives Her Name — After Jo Carrington compares Ultron to a Greek god, Ultron himself likens her to Jocasta, the queen of Thebes, and the unwitting mother and wife of Oedipus. As such, Jocasta does receive her comic book name in the MCU, complete with an all-new (and darkly twisted) context.
“Tin Man Without A Heart” — While still unknown, "The Client" offers Vision the opportunity to be whole again, comparing him to the "Tin Man Without A Heart" seen in The Wizard of Oz.
Strings — Revealing her desire to make humans more like machines, Ultron comments that Jocasta wants to give everyone "strings", a nod to his classic, Pinnochio-inspired line from Age of Ultron: "I had strings, but now I'm free..."
EDITH Commanding Stark Drones — During the fight with the Ten Rings in Madripoor, EDITH takes command of Paladin's trio of Stark drones to open fire on the agents. Ironically, controlling Stark Drones was one of her original directives, as was seen in 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, when she was controlled by both Peter Parker and then Mysterio to help expand his illusions as "Avengers-level threats."
Bridge To Madripoor — Upon leaving Madripoor, Vision, Thomas, and Lisa cross the same bridge first seen in Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In real life, this is the Troja Bridge located in Prague.
Wanda’s Grief — When Thomas asks Vision about WandaVision, Vision confirms that "WandaVision was Wanda's grief" on full display, bringing to mind the iconic line from the original Vision in the WandaVision series itself: "What is grief, if not love persevering?"
New episodes of VisionQuest release Tuesday nights on Disney+ from Marvel Studios.
