Charles Buttle
After her spellbinding debut in Wandavision, Agatha Harkness, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn, returns to the MCU in the highly anticipated series Agatha All Along. WandaVvsion is considered one of Marvel’s most remarkable projects, telling a story of love and grief through the unique lens of sitcom television. Naturally, this latest instalment has a lot to live up to. Yet, being dubbed one of the ‘most anticipated series of the year’, it’s clear fans can’t get enough of Agatha and are eager to see where her journey leads next. However, for a series centred on dark magic, witchcraft, and power, the debut episode might not be exactly what viewers expected.
Episode 1 – “Seekest Thou the Road”
“Seekest Thou the Road” begins as a fun homage to Mare of Easttown, where Agatha’s distorted mind casts her as the main character of her own series, ‘Agnes of Westview.’ This opening will feel familiar to Wandavision fans as the show again builds a sense of mystery for viewers through the unique approach of genre-bending, immediately subverting their expectations. In this episode, Agatha begins to unearth secrets from her past, including the fate of the Darkhold, a book of dark magic destroyed by Wanda in Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness, and her complex relationship with Rio Vidal, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza, an old flame who invades Agatha’s reality in a bid to help her escape Wanda’s spell. Towards the end of the episode, Agatha is freed from her curse by the mysterious character Teen, portrayed by Joe Locke, only to discover she has lost all her power during the showdown with Wanda. Just then, Rio reappears, seeking revenge on Agatha in her full witchy glory. Though Agatha convinces Rio to give her time to regain her powers before their final confrontation, this doesn’t stop Rio from summoning the enigmatic Salem Seven, who seem intent on taking their own revenge on the notorious power-stealing witch.
Episode 2 – “Circle Sewn With Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate”
“Circle Sewn With Fate / Unlock Thy Hidden Gate” opens with Agatha, back in her complete form (minus her powers, of course), being persuaded to embark on a quest along The Witches’ Road by Teen. Impressed by his ability to break a spell cast by the Scarlet Witch, realising she can’t defeat old foes like the Salem Seven without her magic, and intrigued by a spell preventing Teen from revealing his name or origins, Agatha agrees to the perilous journey ahead. But first, they must gather a coven. The duo sets out to find witches desperate enough to risk their lives on the Witches’ Road. This leads to the introduction of Lillia Calderu, Jennifer Kale, and Alice Wu-Gulliver, portrayed by Patti Lupone, Sasheer Zamata, and Ali Ahn. Initially hesitant to join Agatha due to their knowledge of the road’s dangers and Agatha’s notorious reputation among witches, they are eventually persuaded by their own dire situations, including threats of homelessness, jail time, and the search for family members lost to the road. However, as the group prepares to begin the conjuring ritual to open the road, they realise they’re one member short—a Green Witch is required. While it’s heavily implied this final member is Rio, Agatha, hesitant to approach her, instead calls upon an unlikely candidate: Sharon Davis (also known as Mrs. Hart from Wandavision). Although Sharon isn’t a witch, Agatha tricks her under the guise of attending a “party” and bullies her into unknowingly joining the coven. Just as they begin the ritual, the Salem Seven approach, ready to enact their revenge on Agatha and anyone standing in their way. At first, it appears the conjuring has failed, but at the last moment, the door to The Witches’ Road appears. The coven, including a very confused Sharon, escapes just in time, narrowly avoiding the Salem Seven’s clutches. The episode ends as the coven marches on to the Witches’ Road, unaware of the dark trials that lie ahead in their attempt to make their dreams come true.
Easter Eggs
Each episode is brimming with a wealth of Easter eggs and hidden details, catering to both horror enthusiasts and Marvel fans alike:
- The Wizard of Oz: Judging by the trailer and previews released by Marvel, it’s clear the series plans to draw inspiration from pop culture. While the debut episode started with a parody of a cop show, that wasn’t the only nod viewers noticed. In the ‘Agnes of Westview’ opening, a piece of yellow police tape is draped across a wooded crime scene. Many fans have pointed out its similarity to The Witches’ Road, but it’s also a subtle reference to The Wizard of Oz. Much like Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion following the yellow brick road in search of what they’re missing, Agatha and her coven travel the Witches’ Road, each hoping it will fulfil their deepest desires. Additionally, The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West is an iconic character that many speculate will be directly referenced in later episodes.
- Nicholas Scratch: During Agatha’s distorted state, a children’s bedroom is briefly shown in her home, belonging to her presumed deceased son, Nicholas Scratch. This moment is a double reference. On one hand, it nods to Mare of Easttown, where Mare Sheehan’s loss of her son is a central plot point, but more importantly, it’s a direct reference to Agatha’s son, Nicholas Scratch, from the comics. While we were introduced to Agatha’s rabbit familiar, Señor Scratchy, in Wandavision as a playful nod to this character, this scene raises new questions about his fate in the MCU and whether he will play a more significant role in the series.
- The Significance of Tarot Cards: Tarot cards take centre stage in episode two, suggesting they will be a recurring theme throughout the series. Viewers noticed specific cards, such as the Three of Pentacles, which represents mastery, perfection, and the rewards of hard work, and the High Priestess, which represents the unknown, intuition, and spiritual knowledge. Fans are speculating about how tarot cards will influence the story’s direction and whether they will act as a guide for the coven’s journey on The Witches’ Road.
- Closing Credits: Each episode concludes with striking theatrical credits packed with hidden details. While there are several nods to the series itself and various pop culture references, one of the most notable features is the vivid imagery drawn from witchcraft. Observant viewers may catch historical references such as a painting of the Trial of George Jacobs Sr. for Witchcraft, a photograph of Irene Ray, a woman accused of witchcraft in 1930s Rochester, Indiana, and an illustration from De Lamiis et Pythonicis Mulieribus (translated as On Witches and Female Soothsayers), one of the earliest published works on witchcraft from 1489.
Fan Reception and Predictions
While only two episodes into the series, Agatha All Along has already garnered numerous positive reviews from fans and critics, as its unique blend of dark humour and horror elements offers something for everyone. However, as with any good Marvel project, the show has also inspired a wealth of fan theories and predictions, sparking lively discussions among viewers:
- Teen’s Origins: Initially, viewers speculated that the character Teen might be a reincarnation of the character Billy Kaplan, known as Wiccan in the comics. However, fan perspectives have shifted. While many still believe Teen is a form of reincarnation, a growing number now theorise that he could actually be the reincarnation of Agatha’s son, Nicholas Scratch. This theory is supported by several factors, including the focus on Nicholas’s absence in “Seekest Thou the Road,” Jennifer’s comment about Teen being “another child sacrifice,” and the dynamic between Agatha and Teen, where Agatha reluctantly takes on a mentor role. Furthermore, given Agatha’s reputation among witches for stealing their powers, some fans speculate that she may have sacrificed her own son in her relentless pursuit of power. This darker theme could reveal a more vulnerable side of Agatha that viewers are eager to explore as the series progresses.
- Mephisto: The theory surrounding Mephisto, an extra-dimensional demon from the comics, was a prominent topic during Wandavision, and fans are once again speculating about his potential appearance in Agatha All Along. Given the series’ focus on dark magic, witchcraft and its connection to Wandavision, whether Mephisto will debut in this Marvel project continues to generate excitement and debate among fans.
- The Scarlet Witch’s Return: Despite her immense popularity from Wandavision, Wanda is presumed dead after crushing herself under the collapsing ruins of Mount Wundagore. However, this hasn’t deterred fans from speculating about her return. Alongside theories that Teen may be a variant of Wanda’s son, many believe it would only make sense for the Scarlet Witch to reappear in the series, given her pivotal role in the overarching narrative.
Outro
Agatha All Along offers a darker perspective on Marvel’s magical universe, brought to life by an intriguing narrative, a stellar cast, and beautiful cinematography. Whether you’re a fan of Wandavision, the MCU as a whole, or simply fascinated by the occult and horror, this series has something to captivate everyone. And while Agatha’s journey has only just begun, it will be intriguing to see the direction the show takes as the coven makes its way down The Witches’ Road.
