Apple TV+ ‘Where’s Wanda?’ Episode 4 Review - Digging Into the Vinsons’ Past

Episode 4, titled "The Vinsons," is where Where’s Wanda? really starts to deepen the emotional complexity and intrigue surrounding Wanda's disappearance. The show, a blend of dark comedy and family drama, has been steadily building tension, and this episode continues that with more character-driven moments while balancing some lighthearted scenes with darker undercurrents.

The highlight of the episode is the unexpected relationship between Carlotta and Lucie Vinson. Lucie, a seemingly innocuous schoolmate of Wanda, becomes an important piece of the puzzle when Carlotta—who's struggling with guilt and anxiety—tries to dig into Wanda’s social life. Their interactions are layered with an emotional tug-of-war, with Lucie revealing parts of Wanda’s life that Carlotta had no idea about. Watching Carlotta’s confusion and maternal instincts clash is both heart-wrenching and, at times, humorous as she fumbles through her investigation.

Meanwhile, Dedo and Ole’s subplot adds a much-needed change of pace to the episode. Dedo, usually the more aloof and overwhelmed father, finds himself stumbling onto a new clue that seems to point the investigation in a different direction. Ole, Wanda's brother, is still grappling with his own personal issues, and this episode does a decent job of balancing his internal journey with the larger family crisis. His arc feels genuine, though, at times, the script stretches a bit too hard to weave in the lighter, comedic moments.

What works particularly well in "The Vinsons" is how it allows the audience to sympathize with the Vinson family, who are initially presented as just more of Wanda’s neighbors but quickly become more integral to the mystery. Their quirks and secrets are slowly revealed, adding layers to the town’s web of intrigue without feeling too on the nose.

However, despite the strong performances from the cast, particularly Heike Makatsch as Carlotta and Leo Simon as Ole, there are moments where the pacing drags. Some interactions between characters, while interesting, feel a bit redundant or overplayed, particularly in the back-and-forths between Carlotta and Dedo. The marital strain subplot continues to feel repetitive at this point in the series, and while it's clearly supposed to reflect their emotional state, it occasionally feels forced. The episode could have benefitted from trimming these scenes down to keep the story moving more fluidly.

On the technical side, Where’s Wanda? continues to impress with its cinematography. The visual language remains clean and precise, with a subtle tension present in how the camera frames the town, making even mundane locations like the Vinsons' home feel unsettling. The show's direction keeps the tone balanced—dark enough to keep viewers hooked, but with just enough humor to avoid being too heavy-handed.

Overall, “The Vinsons” is a solid continuation of the series, further developing the mystery while diving deeper into the characters' lives. It doesn’t push the narrative forward as much as one might hope, but it does provide a more introspective look at the emotional turmoil bubbling under the surface. The episode captures the essence of Where’s Wanda?—a quirky, offbeat show that thrives on the mix of family dynamics, mystery, and an undercurrent of dark humor. Though it stumbles in a few places, it still leaves you wanting to see how the pieces of the puzzle will eventually come together.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous episodes, this one is certainly worth watching, especially for the strong character moments between Carlotta and Lucie. But if you’re looking for major plot revelations, you might find yourself a bit underwhelmed. Let’s hope the next episode brings more answers to the increasingly tangled mystery of Wanda's disappearance.

Final Score - [7/10]