Review: Agatha All Along Episodes 1&2

When Wanda Maximoff unknowingly took a town hostage in the Disney Plus series Wandavision and created a hex with everyone living in TV sitcoms, Agnes, aka Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), became a fan favorite. Following the series’ events, Agatha was still left under Wanda’s spell, living her days as the “nosy neighbor.” With Wanda’s fate in the air, her seemingly “dead” status following Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness had Agatha clawing out of a spell that had her living inside a “true crime” series. Now, she must find a coven and walk the Witches’ Road to regain her powers.

Seekest Thou the Road

The first episode of Agatha All Along perfectly parodied the HBO hit Mare of Easttown. To its credit, the Disney Plus show looked stunning, almost like HBO produced it, and Kathryn Hahn perfectly embodied the small-town detective role. Hahn has always stood out, but she is proving her star quality in this show. Writer and creator Jac Schaeffer gives Hahn a juicy script to show off her acting chops. And she does it beautifully.

With Agatha still under the illusion that she’s a detective named Agnes, she finds a body in the woods, similar to Wanda Maximoff, that just appeared there. As she plays out her role, another agent named Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) is brought to the case. When the two go through the facts, a teenager (Joe Locke) breaks into Agatha’s house and is quickly captured. As she’s questioning the teen, Agatha starts to see that things aren’t what they seem. With Rio yelling, “claw your way out.”

Agatha finally emerges from the hex and is ready to regain her powers. Through an electric fight, we learn Rio and Agatha have a history, and the sexual tension is prominent. This leaves the audience with a lot of questions and intrigue as the credits roll, setting the stage for an exciting future for the series.

The first episode brought back many of the original Wandavision cast members, first as part of the spell Agatha is under and then as themselves. Seeing these townspeople is an excellent callback for fans of the Wandavision series, and the way they are incorporated into the Marvel world now makes the MCU feel more grounded. That being said, the world of Agatha All Along feels miles away from the superhero movies, and that’s a good thing. Agatha is a little corner of this broad universe we finally get to see. In the comics, witchcraft plays a significant role, especially concerning Wanda Maximoff. As we head into a new phase, Agatha All Along is the perfect show to walk us down that road (pun intended), connecting us to the larger Marvel universe in a unique and exciting way.

Circle Sewn With Fate/Unlock Thy Hidden Gate

In the second episode, Agatha starts to build her coven with the mysterious “Teen.” We don’t know much about him because something is preventing Agatha from hearing anything about his backstory—even his name. We know he is obsessed with her and wants to walk the Witches’ Road to gain power. The two head out to build a coven consisting of Lilia (Patti LuPone), Jennifer (Sasheer Zamata), Alice (Ali Ahn), and Sharon (Debra Jo Rupp).

While the second episode introduces these characters, it moves quickly and is thoroughly entertaining. Again, Hahn is given a delicious script to chew on, and her performance is only enhanced when you add in a legend like Lupone (who eats up her role) and a comedian like Sasheer Zamata. While this episode is funny, it has some genuinely scary moments that set the tone for the series moving forward. As this coven opens the gate to The Witches’ Road, endless possibilities await, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.

Episodes 1&2 Conclusion

The first thing to understand about this show is that it’s camp. The plot is meant to be overly dramatic, and the script is meant to be overacted. Hahn knows how to play this role; you can tell she’s having the best time doing it. It is well-written and well-produced. The supporting cast is a blast to watch; you can tell a lot of heart was put into this project. This show also just looks great. The first episode had a cinematic quality, and the second was between a sitcom and a horror movie. This series knows what it is and where it wants to go. It has a specific audience in mind, but if you’re willing to take the ride, you might enjoy it. Plus, it’s the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season.

To those wondering why this is being made and whether it will lead to the MCU, the characters and plot devices these two episodes have set up will undoubtedly lead to the bigger picture. Marvel comics have rules for witches, and a show like Agatha All Along is the perfect way to establish these rules on screen, all while providing a thoroughly entertaining experience for the audience.