This review contains full spoilers for Agatha All Along episodes 1 and 2: “Seekest Thou the Road” and “Circle Sewn with Fate Unlock Thy Hidden Gate”
Tradition holds that sequels delve into darker themes, and Marvel’s follow-up to WandaVision, Agatha All Along, proves this adage with its delightfully malevolent twist. Kathryn Hahn, returning as the wickedly charismatic Agatha Harkness, brings an even more ominous edge to her character. Despite her previous defeat at the hands of Wanda Maximoff, Agatha’s spirit remains unbroken. Rather than succumbing to her magical misfortune and the Scarlet Witch’s curse, she swiftly devises a new stratagem to reclaim her lost power.
The premiere of Agatha All Along, spanning two episodes, masterfully extends the narrative of WandaVision, while expanding the mystical dimensions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Much like its predecessor, which brilliantly parodied television eras to explore Wanda’s journey of family creation, this series continues in a similar vein to unravel Agatha’s story. Trapped within a simulacrum of Wanda’s fabricated television world, Agatha is compelled to live out the role of a fictional persona, bereft of her true identity.
The choice to spoof Mare of Easttown is a stroke of brilliance. It permits us to follow “Agnes of Westview” as she delves into a murder investigation, which in turn forces her to confront the inconsistencies of her peculiar new existence. Hahn’s portrayal of Kate Winslet’s rough-hewn, junk-food-devouring detective, whose hair has never seen a brush, is exceptional. The show cleverly utilizes its murder mystery framework to foreshadow a chilling revelation concerning the ancient tome of dark magic, the Darkhold.
Assisting Agatha in her escape is the enigmatic goth teenager known solely as “Teen,” portrayed with genuine enthusiasm and a touch of endearing naivety by Joe Locke. He serves as the comic foil to Agatha’s stoic demeanor, embodying a bumbling fanboy of the arcane eager to learn witchcraft despite her disdainful attitude. His perception of Agatha as a mentor contrasts sharply with her view of him as merely a pet. Their eccentric partnership is united by a shared desire to traverse the fabled Witches’ Road in search of what they each believe they lack—power. However, one might speculate that this journey will yield an unforeseen outcome, perhaps even the “magic” of companionship.
Regarding Teen’s true identity, prevailing fan theories suggest he might be Billy Kaplan, the grown-up progeny of the Scarlet Witch. In the comics, Billy is a teenage sorcerer known as Wiccan. Aware of the intense speculation surrounding Teen’s identity, creator Jac Schaeffer addresses it head-on, making it a central mystery Agatha must unravel. This self-aware approach sidesteps fan theories that could otherwise distract from the story, such as the notorious speculation about WandaVision’s missing aerospace engineer, Mephisto references, and the enigmatic Pietro. By acknowledging this directly, the show allows viewers to enjoy Agatha’s quest for the truth without the pressure of endless speculation.
In sum, Agatha All Along deftly blends its homage to television tropes with a new narrative depth, making for a captivating continuation of the Marvel saga.