Agatha All Along, based on four episodes provided for critics, might be the best Marvel TV show since WandaVision. Which makes sense: while this isn’t technically a second season for that lauded TV show, it’s a direct continuation of the events of that series, focusing on what happens next to the villainous Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) as she tries to regain her unearthly powers. At the very least, it’s the perfect spooky TV series for the Halloween season, featuring a fantastic, game cast of icons, some sharp writing, and — get this — an actual episodic TV structure.
Picking up three years after the events of WandaVision, when we first catch up with Agatha she’s going by Agnes O’Connor. Detective Agnes O’Connor, actually, in a show titled Agnes of Westview, “Based on the Danish series WandaVision,” we learn from a title card in one of the premiere’s sharpest jokes. But this isn’t WandaVision redux, full of TV parodies masking Wanda Maximoff’s (Elizabeth Olsen) trauma. Multiple characters convene in the town of Westview to break Agatha out of Wanda’s spell — particularly since the Scarlet Witch died at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The premiere, titled “Seekest Thou The Road,” is very much setting up the premise and reintroducing the world of Westview. Agatha has lost her powers, she needs to walk something called The Witches’ Road to get them back, and terrifying characters called The Salem’s Seven are looking to destroy her, now that she’s powerless. Also introduced is Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal, a witch who has a violent past with Agatha and wants to kill her; but also takes the time to lick her hand and clean her wounds. And Joe Locke pops up as a character called “Teen,” who we later find out has a mysterious curse on him that prevents Agatha and others from learning details about his life. Like, you know, his name.
Things really get rolling by Episode 2, “Circle Sewn with Fate Unlock Thy Hidden Gate,” as Agatha and Teen assemble a coven and head on down the road. Though both episodes work well individually, it’s helpful that Disney+ is releasing both, simultaneously. They essentially function as a two-part premiere, establishing the characters, the premise, and the stakes for each. Agatha has her reasons for traveling the Witches’ Road — power — but every member of the coven has their own reasons, as well. And once Episodes 3 and 4 hit (they’ll be released weekly henceforth), each focuses on a member of the coven as they face the trials of the road. Presumably, cresting in Agatha’s own trial in the finale.
What’s neat about the structure showrunner Jac Schaeffer has created here is that it calls back to WandaVision, without copying it. While episodes of that show parodied specific television formats, only slowly allowing Wanda and Vision (Paul Bettany) to break from the spell slowly, the characters of Agatha All Along are aware of who they are, and where they are at all times. But we still get those parody elements skirting the surface, nonetheless. Episode 3 skirts being a Real Housewives parody. Episode 4, a ’70s-style horror/kung fu movie. Future episodes will thrust the cast into everything from teen slumber parties to Wizard of Oz. And all the while, the show is teasing out overall mysteries, and dropping plenty of Easter eggs that will drive Marvel fans wild.
That’s all well and good, but what makes Agatha All Along work so well is that Schaeffer doesn’t forget about the development of the characters amid the whole, you know, MCU of it all. And when you have a cast this good, you’d better hope she doesn’t neglect them. Patti Lupone continues to own her icon status as the scatter-brained Lilia Calderu, an expert in divination. Ali Ahn brings the right amount of moping to Alice Wu-Gulliver, the daughter of rock royalty who doesn’t believe in the whole witch thing. Sasheer Zamata is sharp and funny as the sarcastic Jennifer Kale, a potions expert who has some of the most intriguing mysteries behind her. And Debra Jo Rupp returns from WandaVision as Sharon Davis, who ends up on the Witches’ Road thinking it’s a dinner party and is as hilarious as always.
Joe Locke, a favorite from Netflix’s Heartstopper, comports himself well as Teen. While most of his role in early episodes is relegated to exposition and keeping the story moving along, he also provides a much-needed emotional anchor for Agatha, something WandaVision didn’t quite explore thanks to the late-in-the-game reveal of Hahn’s true character.
The real stand-outs are Plaza and Hahn. Both are experts at this sort of thing and have even worked together before on Parks and Recreation. But their relationship is on another level here. Yes, there are the romantic elements, and based on the first four episodes the show is not queerbaiting as feared. There’s real romance, as much as these two broken, power-hungry witches can manage; and a past that has yet to be fully revealed. They also provide their expert comedic timing, off-kilter deliveries, and physical performances that are fully lived in. Plaza slinks through the scene like a snake. Hahn’s hands are constantly moving in precise spell configurations — even though she has no powers. Every moment they are on screen individually is entirely engrossing. Every moment they are on screen together, the show explodes with heat and tension.
As touched on above, what the show does so well, though, is develop these relationships — particularly Agatha and Rio, and Agatha and Teen — slowly, and at an episodic pace. Most Marvel shows function as “more of an eight-hour movie.” Here, Schaeffer has parsed out the emotional arcs for a TV format, and the show is better for it.
The question, though, is whether all the mysteries and emotional arcs will pan out in the finale of the series; or if we’ll get the requisite Marvel blast-em-up at the end, a la how WandaVision wrapped up. Will Agatha All Along continue to cast its spell until the end? As is, halfway through the series, it’s off to an enchanting start.
Where To Watch Agatha All Along:
Agatha All Along Premiere Dates And Episode Guide:
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along premiere September 18 at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET on Disney+. It will stream weekly episodes after that, leading up to the two-episode finale on October 30. There are nine episodes, in total.
Here’s the full list of episodes in Agatha All Along Season 4, with premiere dates:
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 1: “Seekest Thou The Road”
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 2: “Circle Sewn With Fate Unlock They Hidden Gate”
- Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 3
- Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 4
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 5
- Wednesday, October 16, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 6
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 7
- Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 8
- Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Agatha All Along, Episode 9
“Might be the best MCU show since WandaVision.” Loki would like a word with your goofy ass lol
Might. MIGHT.