After the woeful Secret Invasion series, Agatha All Along is a confident return to form for the MCU on Disney Plus.
Kathryn Hahn returns in the role of Agatha Harkness and remains the best casting decision during phase 4 of the MCU (sorry Simu Liu and Tony Leung). She may be powerless initially, but Hahn is excellent at showing Agatha’s total lack of humility. Joining Hahn are impressive screen partners Aubrey Plaza and Joe Locke.
Plaza shines as Rio Vidal, a rival and potentially former love interest of Agatha’s. The latter description is a bit murky but it’s clear in the interactions there a mixture of love and hatred that goes beyond simple rivals. Whether Plaza is bickering with Agatha about the nonexistent murder case or trying to break through Agatha’s Scarlett Witch-inducing haze, the scenes between Plaza and Hahn are electric.
Locke’s Teen shows up in the 1st episode but is more prominently fleshed out in the 2nd. Teen is a self-proclaimed fan of Agatha and a a complete mystery to her. He helps Agatha assemble a team of witches to help travel along the Witches’ Road. While gathering a team, Agatha also tries to avoid a confrontation with the Salem’s Seven.
Under Jac Schaeffer‘s guidance (another essential carryover from WandaVision), Agatha All Along has a dark, mysterious tone with just the right amount of levity added. The proper tone meshing has been largely absent from the Disney Plus shows. Christophe Beck and Michael Paraskevas‘ score is an excellent accompaniment.
On the opposing end, as much fun as Hahn. Plaza, Locke, and the rest of the cast, it takes some time for the series to get going. The Mare of Eastown story Agnes is trapped in leads to a fun Kate Winslet impression, but not much else until Agnes recovers her memory. While the confrontation between Rio and Agnes is great, Rio agreeing to wait on her revenge plan until Agnes has full strength is too easy. The introduction of four other women in the 2nd episode means Plaza’s not in the episode. The absence of Rio means Agnes’s unbridled self-confidence goes unchecked and none of the women come across as foils or equals.
Overall, these first two episodes are a great start to the series.
After the overview and ranking the first two episodes of Agatha All Along 8 out of 10 (Great), here’s a quick recap of each episode. Agatha All Along is streaming on Disney Plus.
Back to Westview in Agatha All Along
Agatha Harkness begins the series back in Westview. The new life created by Wanda Maximoff results in Agatha working as a detective in a world that mirrors Mare of Eastown.
Agatha begins her mundane day with a Jane Doe at a crime scene. She travels around Westview digging up lead. Her pushover of a Supervising Officer brings in a Fed to help with the case. Agent Rio (Plaza) pokes holes into Agatha’s reality created by Wanda. Agatha feels like Rio is trying to take over her case. However, Agatha’s cold demeanor thaws when Rio brings pizza.
Rio keeps chipping away by reminding Agatha’s deep loathing toward her that goes beyond legal jurisdiction. Their talk is interrupted by the Teen breaking in and attempting to steal from her. Agatha takes him in for questioning.
Wanda’s spell begins to fall apart following Teen’s interrogation. Rio takes a more direct approach and finally breaks through Agatha’s facade. Agatha removes layers of her clothes, depicting her various Westview personas until she’s naked.
With her identity intact, Rio attacks Agnes. She wants revenge over Agnes’ use of the Darkhold and alludes to deeper issues. They reach a ceasefire. Rio wants Agnes at her best ane without power, Agnes is no match. They agree to resume the battle another time.
The Witches’ Road
The 2nd episode begins with Teen revealing he freed Agatha from the spell. He wants Agatha’s help traveling along the Witches’ Road. Agatha’s not opposed to the offer as the Witches’ Road will restore her powers. Teen is an intriguing mystery for Agatha. In addition to freeing Agatha, he is also physically incapable of sharing personal details with Wanda.
Opening a portal to the Witches’ Road requires a coven. Agatha and Teen go on a recruiting mission. Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata) is a potions expert selling jade eggs, candles, etc, who is facing steep legal troubles. Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) is the daughter of a powerful witch who went missing on the Witches’ Road. Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) is a divination expert over 400 years old, but her characterization is thin outside of that. Rounding out the group is Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp, reprising her role from WandaVision).
The dynamic between these women is fun to watch, and the song they sing to open the portal is quite catchy. However, there’s no one in the group who seems on the same level as Agnes, which means it’s easy for Agnes to manipulate the others.
Agatha All Along Premiere Final Thoughts
Agatha All Along doesn’t quite match the emotional layers of WandaVision. However, Hahn and Plaza, with Schaeffer at the helm, make the return to Westview a witchy brew worth savoring.
The Review
Agatha All Along Premiere Review Score
PROS
- Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza cast a stirring spell.
- Jac Schaeffer shine in keeping the tonal changes intact.
- Terrific score by Christophe Beck and Michael Paraskevas .
CONS
- Supporting characters in the 2nd episode don't measure up to Agatha Harkness or Rio Vidal
