‘VisionQuest’ Episode 4 Ending Explained: Who Is Jocasta?

While the first two episodes of VisionQuest focus on Vision (Paul Bettany) being pursued by the bounty hunter Paladin (Todd Stashwick), the two episodes released on Oct. 20 introduce a new threat. Both Paladin and Vision cross paths with another synthezoid who has deep roots in Marvel Comics, though the show has given the character a very different backstory and motivation. If you’re looking for answers after episode 4’s cliffhanger, here’s what we know about Jocasta (T’Nia Miller) and what she’s up to.

Who is Jocasta in VisionQuest?

Vision barely escaped from Paladin at the end of episode 2. In episode 3, the bounty hunter begins searching for traces of chemicals and radiation that would leak out of an injured synthezoid so he can track down Vision. Paladin instead finds an entirely different android who’s out for blood. That synthezoid then makes contact with Vision by hacking his systems and warns him to stay out of her way. Ultron (James Spader) connects her use of avian imagery to a serial killer dubbed the Butcherbird.

The Butcherbird’s victims are all scientists who worked together on an artificial intelligence and nanotechnology research that Tony Stark purchased and used to create his AIs like J.A.R.V.I.S. (James D’Arcy) and Ultron. Expecting the Butcherbird to go after the sole survivor from the group, Vision crashes a party where the scientist (played by Battlestar Galactica star Mary McDonnell) is accepting an award. His goal is to reason with the rogue AI before she kills again.

He discovers that the Butcherbird is Josephine Carrington (T’Nia Miller of The Fall of the House of Usher), a member of that same research group who seemingly died of natural causes in 2008 — the year Tony Stark became Iron Man. Now she’s in a synthezoid body and going after her colleagues to collect the biological keys she needs to unlock something we aren’t yet privy to. The name “Jocasta” comes from shortening her name to JoCa and adding Sta, referencing the Stark technology used to create her artificial form. Jocasta handily defeats Vision, who only survives by giving Ultron control of his body. Ultron then tricks Jocasta into incinerating the scientist she came for. Even though Ultron gets in her way, the two have some real chemistry, hinting at a very dangerous romance brewing between the homicidal AIs.

Who is Jocasta in Marvel Comics?

Image: Marvel Animation

This version of Jocasta is very different from her source material, but those changes were necessary because of how much Avengers: Age of Ultron diverged from the comics. The MCU’s Ultron was dreamed up by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner using the power of the Mind Stone. Ultron was meant to protect the world, but he very quickly decided that the best way to do that was to eradicate humanity. Ultron hoped to evolve by building himself a new vibranium body, but the Avengers captured it and combined it with J.A.R.V.I.S. and the Mind Stone to create Vision. Vision then defeated Ultron in Sokovia, but kept his program hostage in his own mind to give his synthetic father a chance at redemption. All of that was invented for Joss Whedon’s 2015 movie.

Roy Thomas and John Buscema created Ultron for The Avengers comics in 1968. Hank Pym, aka Ant-Man, uses his own brainwaves to build a robot AI that quickly breaks free of his control. Like his MCU counterpart, this Ultron is also obsessed with both upgrading his own form and defeating the Avengers. He forces the inventor Phineas T. Horton to help him create Vision as a son and lieutenant. But Vision rebels against his creator and joins the Avengers.

Ultron then creates a mate by transferring the mind of Hank Pym’s wife Janet Van Dyne (aka The Wasp) into a robot body he names Jocasta, a pretty messed-up reference to the mother and wife of Oedipus. Jocasta follows in Vision’s footsteps by betraying Ultron and joining the Avengers. If you want to watch an excellent, faithful adaptation of this saga, check out the 2010 animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes on Disney Plus.

VisionQuest’s version of Jocasta wasn’t made by Ultron, but she seems to be just as ruthless and dangerous as he is. Even if any relationship between the two seems destined to end in betrayal, a possible team-up could be bad news for Vision and all of humanity.