Agatha All Along, the new nine-part series from the creator of WandaVision, Jac Schaeffer – picks up just after the final events of the original. Which saw Agatha drained of her powers and trapped in WandaVisions hex made suburb of Westview.
Right where we left off
The series dives into the backstory of Agatha Harkness, played by the ever-talented Kathryn Hahn. It’s Hahn’s charisma that delivers us a show that’s full of surprises. Showcasing the wickedly charming character we’ve come to love, while also exploring new layers of her enigmatic past.
It’s easy to believe that Hahn’s original performance in WandaVision was all it took to secure the magical spin-off show. Since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) she’s added an unexpected humour to her role. That separates her from the harder, surface level characters we’ve come to expect in the MCU.
Episode one begins in Westview with Agatha, or ‘Agnes’ in this case, trapped in her own alternative reality. Whilst in WandaVision these shows-within-a-show took on sitcoms, to suit the gritter tone of Agatha’s character her reality is that of a crime drama. It opens with Agatha as a straight-talking small-town detective in a Mare of Easttown parody called ‘Agnes of Westview’. The show-within-a-show style is well-executed and intriguing.
As enjoyable as ‘Agnes of Westview‘ was, I was glad to see the façade only last the first episode. It was necessary to establish Agatha’s story since WandaVision however the show really began to find itself as Hahn was set free to play the more devilish side of her character.
“I’m assembling a coven.”
It’s not long before we establish the goal for the series. Agatha must pull together a rag-tag coven of witches in order to travel the witches road and get her powers back. The group she builds features an incredible team of actors who all bring their own delightful twist to being a witch in a modern world.
There’s a few stand out performances from Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Aubrey Plaza. Locke takes on the mysterious role of ‘teen’, who’s back story is as mysterious as his real name. Plaza brings a different kind of energy to the screen as Rio Vidal, a green witch who shares a unknown history with Agatha and an insane amount of sexual tension.
Visually, Agatha All Along excels with its hauntingly beautiful aesthetic, perfectly capturing the essence of magic in the Marvel universe. The Gothic set designs and atmospheric lighting make Agatha All Along enhance the show’s eerie yet playful vibe. These elements add depth to the series however with the use of CGI in the MCU having previously left much to be desired. I’m cautious to overly praise the effects so early into the season.
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along also do a great job of setting up future plot lines without feeling too slow. While the pacing takes its time to unravel Agatha’s backstory, the show gives enough intrigue and cliffhangers to keep the audience coming back for more. The supporting cast also adds layers of mystery, keeping fans guessing about who might be a friend or foe in Agatha’s magical world.
“I just need those witches to get me to the end.”
Overall, Agatha All Along is off to a fantastic start. Its unique blend of magic and mystery sets it apart from other Marvel series. Making it a must-watch for fans of WandaVision and the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Kathryn Hahn’s brilliant performance at its centre, Agatha All Along promises to be a captivating journey into the life of one of Marvel’s most fascinating characters.
If you’re looking for a magical, suspense-filled series, Agatha All Along is the perfect show to dive into. The first two episodes deliver an unexpected treat, and we can’t wait to see where Agatha’s journey takes us next.
Featured Image Credit: Disney+
