Marvel's VisionQuest Series Finale Review: 'Forever'

IGN's review of the VisionQuest series finale, titled 'Forever,' describes the episode as a decent but flawed conclusion to a generally strong Marvel Disney+ series. The review notes that the series had gained momentum and easily ranks among the best of Marvel's live-action Disney+ shows to date, though it acknowledges there isn't much competition in the foreseeable future. The finale struggles with a last-minute pivot to a new villain, Virgil Horton, played by James Spader. Spader's Ultron remains compelling and entertaining, but his portrayal of Horton comes across as more annoying than threatening, lacking a certain je ne sais quoi as an endgame villain. The review suggests the problem may be the quality of the dialogue or the manic way Spader plays the character, including a kooky dance number. The reveal that Ultron is based on a human model—Jo Carrington's (T'Nia Miller) creepy ex-boyfriend—diminishes the villain, as his acerbic charm stems from being a copy rather than being invented in a lab by Tony Stark. The reviewer notes they might have preferred a reveal involving Phineas Horton (Paul Bettany) or J.I.M. as the Client. The episode eventually shifts back to the core rivalry between Vision and Ultron, with Horton's abrupt death scene and Ultron's wisecrack after Jocasta is gunned down. Vision defeats Ultron by appealing to his latent humanity, a shift from the character's previous contempt for his creators. The finale features action sequences and a stylish costume redesign for Vision in his unfiltered android form. A highlight is the reunion between Tommy (Ruaridh Mollica) and Billy (Joe Locke), as Billy pierces a magical veil to find his brother, providing meaningful interaction the reviewer did not expect. A brief cameo shot of Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) appears during Vision's torture scene, and a post-credits scene involving Doom and Wanda confirms big plans for the Maximoff family post-Avengers: Secret Wars. The review criticizes the 'found family' conceit extending to Paladin (Todd Stashwick), who was responsible for J.A.R.V.I.S.'s death in Episode 2, making the buddy-buddy dynamic feel too cute by half. Ultimately, the finale wraps up Vision and Ultron's arcs and leaves the characters in an exciting place for future MCU adventures.