Marvel Studios made its official foray into television in January 2021 with the launch of ‘WandaVision’ on Disney+. The series followed Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, as she grappled with the profound grief of losing Vision, while also showcasing Agatha Harkness, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn. The character of Agatha, who starts as a nosy neighbour and evolves into a formidable villain, quickly became a fan favourite, leading to the creation of the spinoff series, ‘Agatha All Along’.
Set after the events of ‘WandaVision’, the new series centres on Agatha as she finds herself trapped in Westview, under a spell cast by the Scarlet Witch. This marks Marvel’s first spinoff series, which surprised fans given the studio’s past challenges with its TV offerings. However, ‘Agatha All Along’ has achieved something remarkable: it not only recaptures the essence of ‘WandaVision’ but also carves out its own identity.
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Three episodes in, ‘Agatha All Along’ is proving to be a significant turning point for Marvel Studios in the television realm. It marks the debut of the revitalized Marvel Television banner and has earned an impressive 83% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes—an improvement from ‘Secret Invasion’s 52% and ‘She-Hulk’s 79%. Rather than trying to replicate ‘WandaVision’, the series takes inspiration from its predecessor, showcasing Agatha’s disorientation after the spell and the aftermath of her actions, particularly regarding a certain child and her powers.
Unlike previous Marvel shows, such as ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ and ‘Secret Invasion’, ‘Agatha All Along’ feels like a true television series, offering a deep character study while maintaining an engaging episodic format.
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Historically, Marvel Studios treated its television shows as mini-films, focusing on hiring head writers instead of dedicated showrunners. This often resulted in uneven narratives that felt disconnected from the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thankfully, Marvel has reassessed its approach and revitalized the Marvel Television banner, employing showrunners and establishing proper writers’ rooms for future projects. With Jac Schaeffer returning as showrunner, ‘Agatha All Along’ benefits immensely from this new direction, presenting an exhilarating character study unafraid to explore different storytelling methods.
While both ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Agatha All Along’ share Schaeffer’s creative vision, they each stand on their own. ‘WandaVision’ delves into Wanda’s overwhelming grief, making her an unreliable narrator as reality blurs. In contrast, ‘Agatha All Along’ quickly establishes that something is amiss, especially with the eerie appearance of a “body” in the woods. While Wanda’s influence lingers throughout the series, she never physically appears, allowing ‘Agatha All Along’ to shine independently. Agatha is a complex character, burdened by a mysterious past that may involve the Darkhold.
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What ties these two shows together is the writers’ willingness to explore the darker sides of both leading ladies. Both Wanda and Agatha have faced significant losses but have navigated their grief in vastly different ways. ‘Agatha All Along’ allows its ensemble cast to shine while acknowledging Agatha’s connections to Wanda and her aspirations to reclaim her former strength. The narrative remains tight and focused, promising a bright future for Marvel’s small-screen endeavors.
New episodes of ‘Agatha All Along’ are streaming on Disney+.
–Farheen Ali