Three years ago, in the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Marvel Cinematic Universe took its first step into an exciting new era of television. Debuting as their first Disney Plus tv in January 2021, Wandavision revolutionised the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the television industry, giving audiences a unique and mystical sitcom adventure to devour and deconstruct every single week of a gloomy Covid lockdown.
Amongst the piles of sneaky reveals and clever Easter eggs hidden within each week's decade-specific episode, the most iconic (and viral) moment of the whole Scarlet Witch-focused series has to be in Episode 7, “Breaking the Fourth Wall” (3-year-old spoilers ahead). In this 2000s era episode, Kathryn Hahn's iconic and hilarious character reveals herself to be a witch, and the villain behind the show's antics thus far… It really was Agatha All Along.
The surprise ballad blew up online, and with it came a swift green light for an Agatha standalone series, which finally (after a long and unique marketing technique complete with various different titles) graced our screens last Thursday! And boy is it a spell to behold.
Diving fully into the life, character and bewitching personality of Agatha the middle-aged witch, this show takes spooky in the MCU to a whole new level. Comedic and dramatic in equal parts, Agatha All Along mixes a delightful potion made up of the revolutionary elements of Wandavision and the mythical history of witches, casting an early spell of brilliance, fun and mystic on the audience.
Episode 1 sucks viewers into a new show, named “Agnes of Eastview,” a true-crime drama following Agnes the rebellious detective as she investigates the death of a Jane Doe with scarlet hair. A show within a show decorated with Westview residents old and new, the plot holds fast and novel beyond when many other writers might break the illusion. This stunning and clever opener is perfectly at home within our well established world of Wandavision, where tv homages are no rare feat, whilst also working well to bridge the gap between the old show and the new, and introduce new characters in a sly and fulfilling way.
Having been saved from Wanda's powerful spell (cast at the end of Wandavision), Agatha Harkness is ready to leave Westview and never look back… Especially because the spooky Salem Seven are heading for her, sensing her immense powerlessness. And as such Episode 2 draws us out of the fictionalised television show dream and back into the MCU's reality, where Agatha begins tracking down the ragtag team she needs to get her powers back, before it's too late. Diving into some epic world-building of modern day witches and where they may linger, we glimpse some fabulous insights into the world of Westview and the MCU, and even gain a catchy new viral song!
Equally impressive in these starter episodes is, notably, Kathryn Hahn's willingness to embrace and explore with the nuances and tropes of her multilayered villain-turned-protagonist. From gruff detective to powerless Agnes and scheming Agatha Harkness (a figure of equal hatred and legend amongst the witch world), Hahn is the soul, brain, power (but not so much heart) of this show.
Bringing the actual heart is sweet and overly eager ‘teen,' played by Joe Locke, whose mysterious background compliments his impassioned plot-pushing nicely. And audiences can't wait to see what happens next with his witchy education. While viewers haven't seen much of her yet, Aubrey Plaza's nature witch Rio is a force of (well) nature, bringing a much need sense of tension to the MCU. Her chemistry with Hahn sure is something to behold, and the Killing Eve vibes have never been stronger!
Agatha All Along builds of the unique ingenuity of Wandavision in ways never thought possible, playing with tropes and subverting expectations from the very first scene. This truly feels like a sequel where the showrunners have listened to what fans said made its predecessor great and actually delivered on it, whilst working hard to consciously expand and test our preconceived historical notions of womanhood and witchiness.
After a rocky few years for the MCU, it is comforting to be watching a show with so much forethought and intention embedded within its creation. This is no simple attempt to profit off a viral song… Rather, Agatha All Along is listening, learning and working to expand the ideas and worlds upon which it is so masterfully built.
So our coven is now complete, our song is now sung, the portal is open, and the journey down the witches road has began. And we cannot wait to see where it leads next.
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along are now available to stream on Disney+.
