VisionQuest’s seventh episode, “Immolation,” shifts the spotlight to Paul Bettany after James Spader’s Ultron has largely dominated the series so far. The episode gives Bettany several roles to play and, according to the review, makes this his strongest performance in the show to date.
It opens with a World War II-era flashback introducing Phineas Horton, played by Bettany. The story then turns inward, as White Vision confronts emotions and memories he has kept suppressed since waking on an operating table at S.W.O.R.D.
Vision’s journey through his own mind is presented as a disorienting loop through familiar hallways, with each return adding to the sense of dread. The episode also brings Bettany’s White Vision face to face with the classic Vision from before the events of Infinity War, creating a clash between two versions of the character.
The psychological journey leads White Vision to encounter the digitized remains of Horton and Horton’s creation, J.I.M. The review praises Bettany’s ability to distinguish the different roles through their manner and tone, as well as his portrayal of White Vision finally expressing emotions he has held back.
The episode’s other threads are less developed. The parallel story involving Ultron and Jocasta does not get enough time to make the same impact, while the events at Paladin’s hideout provide additional tension but remain secondary to Vision’s journey.
“Immolation” ends with the reveal of Paladin’s benefactor, who is neither Horton nor J.I.M. Instead, the figure appears to be a human version of Ultron, setting up a question for the series finale.
Sources: IGN.