Agatha All Along (Season 1)
"Agatha All Along" is a surprisingly strong show that proves Marvel still has the ability to create engaging content.
The plot, at first glance, seems as simple as the synopsis suggests: Agatha Harkness, the series' antihero, is trying to regain her powers after being stripped of her magical abilities by the Scarlet Witch. However, even with such a straightforward premise, Marvel manages to surprise and keep the audience intrigued.
From the first episode, the atmosphere of “WandaVision” is unmistakable, evolving into a dark, unique, and personal tale of a fallen witch. Agatha, bewitched and living in a fictional world within her head, is jolted back to reality by the arrival of a mysterious magician, and an old nemesis. Desperate to reclaim what was taken from her, she embarks on a determined journey. While the first episode sets a mystical tone, the second falters slightly, feeling a bit empty and raising more questions than it answers. Viewers unfamiliar with the comics may find it difficult to follow the plot at this point. Thankfully, the third episode picks up the slack, shedding light on important backstories and revealing the fears and inner turmoil of the main characters.
One of the standout elements of “Agatha All Along” is Kathryn Hahn’s performance. She effortlessly slips into different versions of Agatha, as if at the snap of her fingers. The musical score also deserves praise — it's one of the first in a long time that feels like a perfect fit for a Marvel project. The show is filled with references, isn’t afraid to get spooky, and occasionally surprises with its dark turns. While it tries to evoke fear, it doesn’t fully succeed, but it's far more visually captivating and mesmerizing than “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”.
“Agatha All Along” may not yet reach the same heights as “WandaVision”, but it has the potential to do so — if it avoids falling into the traps of clichés, shallow humor, and predictable plotting. Marvel has the chance to capitalize on this, especially given the story's intimate, isolated nature, as the characters are unlikely to play a large role in the studio’s larger projects. Witches are rare guests in Marvel comics, but perhaps this show will reignite interest in the ancient craft and breathe new life into the faltering cinematic universe.
7/10