The Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded massively in both a narrative and character sense since the conclusion of The Infinity Saga. This is best shown with shows and films like WandaVision and Eternals. Both projects couldn't be more different from one another in terms of story, but what connects them are the powers some characters possess and how their use and effects impact the world and their peers. For example, Wanda and Druig both have instances of controlling a large group of people, but the outcomes between of their problematic actions are handled very differently.

In WandaVision, Wanda Maximoff struggles with the loss of Vision, and in her sadness, she accidentally alters reality in the town of Westview. Beyond that, she also takes control of its inhabitants and has them do whatever she wants. Even though it's not part of her plan to control them, she would rather have them under her thumb than give up a chance to be with a construct of her deceased love. However, this only serves to create more issues in the end as Wanda learns that her mind control is the equivalent of torture. As a result, she is seen as a victim rather than a villain. While the world likely wants her to face the consequences of her actions, she is then seen fleeing so that she can learn more about the true extent of her abilities.

RELATED: Which Eternals Are Still Alive In The MCU?

Eternals has its own version of Westview with Druig, who also has the power to control the minds of others. After leaving the team centuries ago, Druig is next seen with a small community in the Amazon. Though things seem perfect, audiences learn that the community he runs is under his control and has been for generations. While the denizens seem to be okay with their lives, it begs the question of whether or not they don't fight back because they're happy or they're conditioned to think it's okay to live like this. Nevertheless, following a Deviant attack, Druig lets his people go, and he rejoins the Eternals with no consequences for his actions in controlling a group of humans.

Ironically, both instances of mind control, while they have differing outcomes, also tease the more villainous side of both characters. For example, Druig has always been at odds with the other Eternals and is often shown living in service of himself rather than a Celestial. However, in doing so, he also finds more nefarious passions like using mind control to torture humans. With the events of Eternals painting the character as more of an anti-hero, it's unlikely his villainous side will emerge in the near future. That said, the door is still open for Wanda to embrace her own evil inhibitions.

For now, Wanda has seemingly gotten away with the events that took place in Westview, but with the realization that her children may still be alive, she will likely stop at nothing to find them. In the comics, this has even led her to fight her fellow Avengers and have a full breakdown that altered reality drastically. As a result, her appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may see a similar situation as she stops at nothing to find her children. For now, what separates Druig and Wanda is that even though they have a capacity for evil, Druig has seemingly left his controlling ways behind him, where Wanda may have only just scratched the surface.

Barry Keoghan as Druig in Eternals

RELATED: MCU Theory: Black Widow's Red Guardian Is Slowly Dying - And His [SPOILER] Is To Blame

Comparing the two characters also reveals that one has had a considerably more extensive punishment for their actions than the other. For Wanda, even though she hasn't faced any legal punishment for her actions, she's been forced to deal with the trauma of her growing powers and the loss of her family. She also has to deal with the fact that she was willing to let dozens suffer if it meant she could live the life she's always wanted. Even worse is that she has had to do it alone, which only serves as an internal punishment while facing a world that fears her.

For Druig, he seemingly walks away from a village that he's controlled for decades without their consent, and the other Eternals think nothing of it. It shows that not all heroes in the MCU see right and wrong as clearly as others since none of the Eternals even try to hold Druig responsible for his actions.

From a fanbase perspective, audiences have responded well to Druig and Wanda, even with their faults and actions. In that sense, it shows an opposite effect, where instead of one side being punished, none are, and both are loved unconditionally. That said, the MCU will likely make sure that if there is any justice to be served, those characters may still face it in some way.

KEEP READING: A MCU Theory Reveals Happy Hogan's Otherworldly Nature