In the present day, Vision and Ultron are in Vision’s mind palace, watching the footage of Thomas’ psych evaluation that Paladin is broadcasting to them. Thomas was apparently held responsible for young children getting injured at a swimming pool a year ago, which is what led to his psych evaluation in the first place. And though Vision is skeptical at first that either of his sons could possibly exist beyond the boundaries of Wanda’s Westview, he hears Thomas (on the footage) mention that grief is merely love persevering — which, as many a “WandaVision” fan will recall, became perhaps the most memorable line from that show, in a flashback conversation between Wanda and Vision. How could Thomas know those words unless he knew Wanda?
Anyway, in an effort to draw Vision back out into the real world, Paladin brings Thomas to Saint Mabyn’s and has him locked up alone, threatening Vision that he’ll leave his son to rot there if Vision doesn’t emerge. Vision in turn goes to Saint Mabyn’s, knowing full well that it’s a trap — but it’s even more dangerous than Vision thought it would be. When he locates Thomas in his solitary confinement, Vision finds that he’s suddenly powerless as sonic pulses weaken his powers; his mind palace begins to deterioriate and pixelate, as do his A.I. companions (and Ultron, who’s usually kept in his own room at the top floor, suddenly finds he’s able to join the others downstairs, due to the elevator going haywire).
Thomas uses his mystery energy powers to break down the door of his cell, but he and Vision run into Paladin outside, who shoots Vision with adamantium rounds — ammo that does damage Vision’s vibranium shell. Although Paladin eventually runs out of rounds, Vision is very weak when he and Thomas get outside, and he urges Thomas to run away, because he’s not safe as long as he’s near Vision. Thomas protests at first (“But you’re my… my something,” he reminds his maybe-dad), but he does run off.
Back at the mind palace, Vision’s synthezoid pals are on the verge of vanishing forever as Vision’s internal computer weakens — but J.A.R.V.I.S., proclaiming that “family is forever, and it’s worth the fight,” decides to delete his own code and upload all of his processing power to save the others. He removes a key from around his neck and inserts it into a computer panel, prompting him to disappear while Vision and the others get their power restored. (Aw! We’ll miss you, J.A.R.V.I.S.!) And just as Paladin’s men are closing in on Vision in the real world, Thomas pulls up in a vehicle he’s stolen, he piles Vision into the car, and they take off.
“He didn’t listen,” Vision tells Ultron, whom he’s been hallucinating since his hardware was damaged. “Like father, like son,” Ultron replies.
OK, your turn. Did you enjoy the first two “VisionQuest” outings? Grade the series premiere in our poll below, then drop a comment with your full reactions!
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