00:00So, you're watching Vision Quest. You got all your bases covered. White Vision, check.
00:05Reconsidering your opinions on Avengers Age of Ultron, check. Still not getting the ship
00:10of Theseus, but still considering bringing it up whenever you get the chance. You bet
00:15your ass.
00:16You are familiar with the thought experiment, the ship of Theseus in the field of identity
00:20metaphysics.
00:21But wait, who the f*** is Jim? Spoilers ahead for episodes 2 and 4 of Vision Quest.
00:27My name's Vision and I'm here for the trap.
00:30Now in typical Marvel fashion, Vision Quest is now the proud owner of the MCU's oldest
00:35self-reference.
00:36Muzzle Tov.
00:37It's a boy.
00:39See, ever since the first trailer for the third installment in the Wanda trilogy, keen-eyed
00:44nerds set their sights on a particular piece of art within Vision's version of Inside Out.
00:50We never took Vision as much of a Rage Against the Machine fan, so this must be a reference
00:54to Jim Hammond, a.k.a. the Human Torch.
00:57Nope, not that one.
00:59Different guy, different origin, same questionable approach to fire safety.
01:07Now picture that.
01:10But everywhere.
01:11See, before the Fantastic Four's Johnny Storm was loudly flamin' on and settin' s*** on fire,
01:17Marvel had another Human Torch.
01:18And for this one, we need to go way back.
01:21Jim Hammond was an android created by scientist Phineas T. Horton, debuting in Marvel Comics
01:26number 1 back in 1939 alongside Namor the Submariner, who you may remember from Wakanda Forever.
01:35Horton's Synthetic Man, as he is known canonically in the MCU, burst into flames when exposed to oxygen, but eventually
01:42learned to control his powers and became a superhero, fighting alongside Captain America, Bucky, and Namor as part of the
01:49Invaders during World War II.
01:50Almost 30 years later, Vision would make his first appearance in 1968's Avengers number 57, where the less James Spader
01:59-y Ultron V used the brain patterns of Wonder Man and the inactive body of the original Human Torch to
02:05create the Vision.
02:07So, bringing him on as a major player in the origins of Synthosoids in the MCU is a great move
02:17by the Vision Quest creators, and an awesome nod to the Vision's origins in the comics.
02:22So what does this have to do with Vision Quest, other than being the subject matter for a self-immolation
02:28painting?
02:28Well, after years of sitting in the MCU's Easter Egg drawer after that blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in
02:34Captain America The First Avenger, the original Human Torch is finally getting its due in the MCU.
02:40But what exactly is up with Jim?
02:43He created J.I.M. here, otherwise known as Synthetic Man, the first automaton AI.
02:50In Episode 2, Jarvis warns Vision about the dangers of letting emotions take over an artificial mind, while referencing the
02:57painting.
02:57He knew that better than any of us.
03:01Then, in Episode 4, Vision makes the synth connection explicit when he tells Tommy about Jim, the first synthetic man,
03:09his great-great Pop-Pop.
03:10Don't be so formal. You can call me Pop-Pop.
03:15Whose inability to process complex emotions caused his systems to malfunction until he literally caught fire.
03:22Something the original Vision was guarded from, thanks to the Mind Stone embedded in his big red forehead.
03:28Now, on the surface, it seems that Jim serves as a cautionary tale, as White Vision seeks to understand his
03:35rosy-cheeked predecessor's evolution and eventual humanity.
03:39He does not have the Mind Stone, but has enough of Vision's original energy to explore emotions without becoming the
03:45physical embodiment of Incubus's hit single, Pardon Me.
03:56But MCU fans are starting to speculate that Jim's role in this Vision's quest is far from over, and could
04:03even take a more sinister villainous twist moving forward.
04:06So, are you enjoying Vision Quest, or is James Spader's smooth, silky voice making you feel your feelings, and at
04:14the same time emboldening your existential dread and doubts about what it means to be human?
04:20I had strings, but now I'm free.
04:25Let us know in the comments, and tell us what other topics we should talk about.
04:29Bye.
04:36Bye.
04:37Bye.
