How ‘Dottie’ can play a bigger role in the MCU
On March 5th, the final episode of “WandaVision” aired on Disney+ and concluded Wanda’s transformative journey which will continue in future MCU installments. The series finale answered some questions the show posed throughout but also left some questions unanswered which will probably be further developed in the future.
Now, as with most Marvel properties, during the run of “WandaVision,” a lot of theories were made about certain characters in the show. Some of these were confirmed, like Agnes being Agatha Harkness, and others were debunked by the end of the show. One of those ever growing-theories included one about one of the townspeople, ‘Dottie.’
Dottie was introduced in the second episode and immediately gained the fan’s attention. For starters, she was territorial of Westview and saw Wanda as a threat. Second, she was being played by Emma Caulfield, an established actress known mostly for her run in the cult TV show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Third, during a scene with Wanda in the second episode (themed in 1960 sitcoms), Dottie saw her red blood (as opposed to black and white) and was able to hear SWORD trying to connect with Wanda. Plus, there were other lines (by Agatha) stating that Dottie ran the town and that Dottie was ‘the key’ to the town. Those facts assured fans around the globe that Caulfield’s character would be of some sort of importance at the backend of the series. But in the finale, Dottie was revealed to be just another unlucky resident of Westview (who goes by the name of Sarah) subject to Wanda’s mind control.
But, I still think that we shouldn’t dismiss Dottie/Sarah completely.
Before I reiterate the Dottie theories, I am aware that:
- Dottie is 90% just this Sarah chick and nothing more. We won’t see her again. It’s canon. Move on.
- All of these theories are really really reaching.
- Emma Caulfield personally admitted that the character is just this Sarah chick and that her casting was meant to throw people off and be the red herring.
But I….am ignoring those (yes I’m a clown, it is very fun to be one). Mainly for the fact that Kevin Feige stated that fans will not need to watch the Disney+ shows in order to understand the films. Meaning that no major character or plotline will be introduced in any of the Disney+ shows (which explains why characters like Mephisto could have been absent).
There are main two theories that were the most popular ‘Dottie theories’ and I think it’s important to keep them on the back burner. So here they are in addition to my personal ones on who Dottie/Sarah could potentially be in the future.
1. Arcanna Jones
This is the number one Dottie theory because it made the most sense for a number of reasons.
For those of you who don’t know, Arcanna Jones is a classic supporting character in the Marvel canon and like Wanda and Agatha, is a witch. Part of “WandaVision” was about the transformation of Wanda into the Scarlet Witch and witches usually come in clumps of three (look at every single piece of literature/film, they come in threes). So, Dottie could serve as the third witch. Also, just like Agatha taking on the ‘Agnes’ persona in Wanda’s world, Arcanna took on Dottie and didn’t blow her cover/reveal herself. It is also important to note that Dottie’s real name is Sarah Proctor, who was someone that was actually accused of being a witch during the Salem Witch Trails (could be a meta-joke on us which…good job Marvel or could be something).
Also, Arcanna’s magic is yellow and Dottie grew yellow flowers. The same theme tracks with Wanda growing red flowers (her powers are red) and Agatha growing purple flowers (you guys are smart, I think you know what color her magic is).
2. Clea
Now, this, (honestly) would be very interesting because Clea would serve as the connection between “WandaVision” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” which are directly connected.
Like Arcanna (and Wanda and Agatha), Clea is a sorceress and is the mentee (and wife) of Doctor Strange himself. Clea is also heavily based in the dark dimension and the multiverse which again, is what Doctor Strange 2 is all about (it’s literally the title).
3. A Mutant
We’ve seen through Monica that entering the Hex can genetically alter an individual and during episode eight, Agatha stated that Wanda always had the ability to be a witch but the mind stone brought it out. Both of these occurrences could have potentially introduced the X Gene into the MCU. So, can the people of Westview develop permanent side effects for living in the Hex for a long period of time? Absolutely.
Now, there are two or three different ways Feige and company can take this approach with Dottie. The first is that she was always a mutant and working undercover to keep an eye on Wanda. Since the Mutants and specifically, the X-Men, are undercover by nature, it would make sense that if they were present in the MCU, they wouldn’t announce it to the public (especially when they are in direct contact with an Avenger who is directly linked with the government).
The second route would be Dottie developing her mutation as a result of living in the Hex. Mutations are known to be triggered by heightened emotional stress and trauma which is definitely what happened to the townspeople of Westview. So if Dottie, like Wanda, has the underlying X-Gene that is triggered by the radiation of the Hex, in addition to her own stress/trauma of the experience, Dottie could develop a powerful mutant power. It wouldn’t surprise me if Marvel decides to go this way, that her power would mirror her experience. For example, becoming a telepath or being able to block telepaths from invading her mind again (ie: Emma Frost). On that subject, it is important to note that Emma Frost, like Dottie, is also an alpha-no-bullshit type of woman that is also known for saying “for the children” which is a phase Dottie spoke in “WandaVision.”
Also, if Dottie becomes a mutant, she could still possess the abilities from either Arcanna or Clea and take on those characteristics. As I said before, it would be very interesting if she took on Clea’s abilities. For example, it would be pretty karmic for Clea, someone who has experience with different dimensions (aka multiverse), who had her child locked away from her by Wanda, to maybe throw Wanda’s kids in a different dimension (which is probably where Billy and Tommy are at the moment). An eye for an eye, or in this case, kid for a kid(s). A taste of Wanda’s own medicine because there is nothing worse than a scorned mother.
4. Marvel’s Karen
Also, Dottie could get no mutant abilities from her experience in the Hex but could still be a scorned woman who develops a personal vendetta against Wanda and all enhanced individuals in general. After having her child locked away and herself under mind control, Dottie, who we know as a Queen B, could easily be the ‘Karen’ of the MCU against enhanced individuals and/or mutants. She could create a bill, march on Washington, form a committee. All that fun and horrible stuff.
Basically, she would be the minor and/or supporting villain to shake things up like so many other supporting villains in previous X-Men films and comics. And honestly, as someone who had an experience like Dottie did…it makes sense for her to be angry and demand change.
5. No one
Also (and what is probably true), Dottie is absolutely no one important and just this ‘Sarah’ gal who had a very unfortunate experience at the hands of a very sad avenger/witch. Which would mean that all the scenes of her being described as someone with power, the key to everything, and ‘the queen of the town’ were just a big fat lie.
Personally, I would like Dottie/Sarah to grow into a character that sheds the light/ripple effect of Wanda’s actions. It would be interesting to see how Wanda’s actions can result in specific consequences and Dottie seems like the perfect character to do that with. Also, I don’t think Marvel would dedicate all that time to Dottie and cast a known actor just for her to be a featured extra. But, as with all things Marvel, we will just have to wait and see what the future has in store. But as for me, I’m keeping Dottie stored in the back of my mind and I suggest you do the same.
