MCU looks to cast spell over viewers through latest ‘Wanda’ spinoff vehicle for Agatha Harkness

Who’s been messing up everything? It’s been Agatha All Along, the newest concoction brewing from the cauldrons of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In her own spin-off, the Wicked Witch of Westview returns in a bone-chilling new addition. Following the events of WandaVision, Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn, Step Brothers) must overcome “many miles of tricks of trials” in order to reclaim her power while also battling her own past alongside a new coven.

After breaking free from the spell placed upon her at the end of WandaVision by the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen, Avengers Endgame), Agatha teams up with a mysterious teenager from Eastview, but is bewitched with a sigil, meaning that his true identity is concealed to all who hear it. Promptly naming him “Teen” (Joe Locke, Heartstopper), they must assemble several other witches in order to travel down the mysterious Witches’ Road. However, all is not what it seems, as nearly all of the travelers have ulterior motives for going down the Witches’ Road. 

Marvel continues to not only break the laws of physics with eye catching magic, but also social stigmas with Agatha’s openly feminine-presenting ex-lover. The nature of Agatha and Rio’s (Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation) relationship may be up for debate, but the series has explicitly emphasized the romance. The reuniting of past lovers sparks even more questions about Agatha and what she truly desires from walking the road. The romantic tension is a flirty escape from an action-packed line up of trials, and often gives background on Agatha and other characters. The couple never ceases to stir the pot and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. 

In addition to the band of strong female leads, Agatha All Along proves to be a perfect mix of comedy, action, and inspiration. The fast paced fantasy takes viewers down the Witches’ Road through trials that push each character to their limits. To keep the plot moving, during each episode, members of the original coven face their fears in their own specialized challenge. Some heart-breaking like the all-seeing Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone, Steven Universe), and some shocking like Alice Wu (Ali Ahn, Orange Is the New Black). However, some of the trials have dire consequences for members of the group, as not all will make it to the end of the Road.

In the heart of Witches Road lies the mystery of Teen’s true identity, as his actor had remained coy during several interviews on the subject of whether the young witch would end up being the son of Scarlet Witch, Wiccan. Agatha’s flashbacks led viewers to believe Teen was her secret long lost son, Nicholas Scratch, who she had sacrificed when he was young. In the comics, Nicholas Scratch was a villain closely linked to Salem Seven, the side antagonists of Agatha, whose main goal in the new series is to exact their revenge on Agatha for zapping out the magic from their parents. 

In a shocking twist (spoilers), Teen was at last revealed to be none other than Billy Maximoff, in search of his brother, Tommy. In a morbid alteration of the body-swapping Freaky Friday trope, the soul of Billy entered the recently deceased corpse of William Kaplan after the destruction of Wanda’s illusionary reality named “The Hex”. 

Although stemming from a side character from WandaVision, Agatha All Along continues plots in a new and interesting way. With a multitude of new and unique faces, Agatha All Along keeps WandaVision fans waiting for more. With the reveal of Teen’s identity, the series switched from a fun addition of WandaVision to the continuation of her bloodline, leaving viewers with a plethora of questions and theories. Specifically, the true fate of Wanda at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was up for debate, but with the existence of Billy and his goal to bring back his brother, the comic-book shenanigans of resurrection are once again on the table.

Agatha All Along serves as a fresh new chapter in the WandaVision saga, and an addition to the MCU that viewers can’t wait to see develop in the future. With exciting twists and turns, the wild and wicked road keeps the plot moving fast and packed with action. Casting a spell on any viewers who dare to watch, the much-needed and unabashed queerness in both its characters and the story as a whole makes what was once viewed an unnecessary spin-off a worthwhile entry into the larger MCU.

Rating: B+

With a wicked storyline and a coven of chaos, Agatha All Along brings back spell-binding visuals to the MCU after a dry spell of content.

by Evan Parfitt & Delaney Smith

Published November 4th, 2024

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue II