SPOILERS AHEAD: Wandavision (2021), Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Agatha All Along (2024).
If you’re anything like me, you were a huge Wandavision fan. Maybe you got up at three in the morning to watch each episode directly as it dropped, and believed every conspiracy in the show was related to Mephisto, who was never even brought up in the show; or maybe you were normal. In any case, when Wandavision concluded its nine-episode run in March of 2021, fans were left wanting more. What would happen to Wanda? What about her kids? Vision? Agatha? Would we ever see them again? Luckily, Marvel heard fans’ pleas, and produced Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which ironically, produced more questions for many fans, wondering why Wanda’s character had seemingly regressed. Finally, in September of 2024, Agatha All Along debuted, and was set to be a continuation of Wandavision’s town of Westview from Agatha’s perspective. The show’s nine episode run was full of twists, character arcs, and incredible set design. Audiences adored it, with a 7.3/10 rating on IMDB, and an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. I quickly became just as obsessed with Agatha All Along as I was with Wandavison in 2021. The mystery and suspense took me back, and once again, I was hooked on Marvel. After rewatching the episodes and analyzing every detail, the next step was to write an entire recap on the series, like all normal fans do, of course.
To understand all of the references and callbacks in Agatha All Along, viewers have to know at least a baseline of the events leading up to the series. Agatha Harkness’ first appearance in the MCU was in Wandavision, where she played the “nosy neighbor” turned evil, all powerful witch in episodes eight and nine. Unlike the other Westview residents, she was never under Wanda’s control, just playing along until she was ready to fight Wanda in order to gain her power. In episode eight, a flashback shows her draining the power from her mother and the rest of her coven because they were going to kill her. They explained she was using the Darkhold, or “The Book of the Damned” and that she could not be trusted. This was the first instance of her being able to take others’ power, killing them in this process. Agatha tells Wanda that she is the Scarlet Witch, and that her magic is more powerful than any other being. In the finale, the two battle, and Agatha is ultimately defeated by Wanda, being tricked into giving up her power. Wanda sentences her to a simple life in Westview, powerless and unable to leave. In Multiverse of Madness, Agatha is not seen, but the most important thing to know is that Wanda ends up dead, crushed by rocks atop a crumbling mountain.
EPISODE ONE: “Seekest Thou The Road
In my opinion, this episode was the perfect way to begin this series. The choice to begin with a true crime like TV parody was so fun, and made me even more excited for what was to come. There were many small details that indicated something was wrong, especially in Rio’s dialogue, which I thought was a really clever way to lay down the groundwork for Agatha Harkness’ rebirth later in the episode. I had no clue what Agatha All Along was going to be about, so I was pleasantly surprised by the end of this episode, and excited to see where the show would go. I loved all the nods to Wandavision, especially when Agatha slowly revealed all of her old Wandavision costumes when returning back to her true form. The almost romantic tension between Agatha and Rio, added an extra layer to their relationship and I loved how conflicted they seemed with each other even in their first scenes. The reveal of both Wanda and Agatha’s name was done extremely well, although I saw it coming. I can’t help but think Wanda isn’t really dead, though. This episode was a very strong start to the series and left me wanting more- luckily, episode two premiered that same night!
EPISODE TWO: “Circle Sewn With Fate/ Unlock Thy Hidden Gate”
I was curious to see how the show would work in its natural element, and I thoroughly enjoyed the direction it took! I loved the employment of comedy with Teen’s character- I really expected him to be mysterious, but Joe Locke’s take on him was so fun and creative, and I love what he is doing with the character. Each witch’s introduction was wonderful: The witch has-beens are all so well thought out and I’m so excited to see where each individual’s journey takes them on the road. Jen’s character is hilarious, and Sasheer Zamata is fantastic in the role. I love her and Agatha’s bickering dynamic, and I hope to see more of her in future Marvel projects. Lilia’s character is so interesting to me, and I am interested to see just how much significance the things she yells hold. Alice is definitely one of my favorites- I love how much there is to be explored within her character, and I can’t wait to see the direction Ali Ahn takes. The Salem Seven are horrifying and awesomely designed, and I hope to see more of them in the series. Also, casting Patti Lupone as Lilia was a perfect choice. Not only is she a phenomenal performer and actress, but her powerhouse of a voice was a highlight in “Down the Witches Road”, which in itself was a highlight of the episode. Everyone’s voices blended wonderfully together, and the acting throughout was fantastic, especially from Ali Ahn, who delivered an emotionally charged, wonderful performance. I loved the design of the road, and I can’t wait to see more of it in future episodes.
EPISODE THREE: “Through Many Miles / Of Tricks and Trials”
Episode three expands the setting and rules of the road, as well as starts the trials for the witches. In this episode, the focus was technically on Jen, but it highlighted the experience of all the witches. I really loved how plot heavy this episode was despite being relatively early on in the series. The rules of the road were established quickly and clearly, and the road itself was beautiful. One of the things I like most about this series is the fact that they try to avoid using CGI. In instances like these, I feel it truly makes a difference, and makes what could be a mediocre set feel magical and larger than life- that is what I got from the Witch’s Road. What I loved most about this episode, however, were the hallucinations. They provided just enough backstory to understand what each witch wanted from the road, but not enough that their story would be given away. Each and every actress gave a show stopping performance, but I especially loved Debra Jo Rupp’s pleas for Wanda to stop making her “husband” choke. Highlighting the damage Wanda caused in this series was so interesting to watch. It makes sense that all the people in Westview have trauma, but to see it was a very full circle experience. I also loved Agatha’s hallucination of “The Darkhold” in a crib. She hasn’t been given many empathetic qualities in the past, so I’m really enjoying seeing her emotional side, and I am very interested in what actually happened to her son, because I do not believe she truly gave him up for the book of the damned. I am enjoying the dynamic between Agatha and Teen, and I really hope they interact more in the upcoming episodes. Although this was technically Jen’s episode, each witch got the spotlight, and I hope this will be the case for all of the trial based episodes. Overall, the episode was a perfect combination of action and story and was a great kick-off to the trials, although I will miss Sharon Davis.
EPISODE FOUR: “If I Can’t Reach You / Let My Song Teach You”
Of course I loved an Alice centered episode! Generally, in every era so far, the costuming and set have been magical, and I love how much the road changes with each trial. I also loved how Rio was summoned, and her and Agatha now have to work together on the road. The angst between the two is addicting. They hate each other so much yet can’t resist one another, and this trope is played so well by Hahn and Plaza. My personal favorite moment between them was when Rio told the group that she once had to do something she didn’t want to do to someone she loved, and that person was her scar. I believe at this moment she is referring to Agatha in some way, and that it may be the reason why Agatha hates her so much. This is yet another Agatha mystery I cannot wait to be solved. Theories or not, everything in this episode was masterfully done. Alice’s denial of all things magic truly paid off. I would be lying if I said her performance this episode didn’t make me a little bit emotional. To think that her mother knew she was going to die, and used her time trying to protect her daughter is so sweet and so horrendously sad at the same time. Once again, Ali Ahn’s acting was just phenomenal, especially when singing. Her final lyrics singing “I’ll see you at the end” while beating her curse were so chilling and so impactful. The singing was generally a highlight of the episode for me, especially seeing Patti Lupone switch between instruments every cutaway. It isn’t easy to make a song sung three episodes ago sound new and interesting, but they did it with ease. The scene between Rio and Agatha where she tells Agatha that Teen is not her boy was devastating. To see Agatha care so deeply for Teen and to see the disappointment in her face when she realizes her son is still gone was so bittersweet. Now that we know he’s not Agatha’s son though, I am wondering who he really is, and I can’t wait to find out. I do hope that despite this fact, Agatha and Teen keep the mother and son bond they have. To see what is normally an unforgiving, mean witch get so upset over this young boy was heartwarming and sad all at once. In short, I need more Agatha and Rio, and also more Agatha and Teen, but I’m sure these will come in time- otherwise, no notes.
EPISODE FIVE: “Darkest Hour / Wake Thy Power”
What an EPISODE! My only note is that I wish it was longer. I adored the set, and all of the small wardrobe details in this episode in particular. I’m glad Agatha’s trial wasn’t the finale, and instead, there are four more episodes left to work through all the information given in this insane episode. The fact that her trial was a Ouija board was so telling of her character, and it was such a creative medium to further the story along, especially when it told the group to “Punish Agatha”. Evanora Harkness returning was an [un?] pleasant surprise, although her treatment towards Agatha was upsetting. Getting to see deeper into Agatha’s relationship with her mother makes me believe more and more that she couldn’t have done anything truly bad to her son. In fact, the fact that she only stopped draining Alice’s power when she heard the name of her son proves this theory even more. I would love to know if she can truly not control her power or she was just lying, but either way, Alice is DEAD, and I really felt it. It is so deeply unfortunate that she just beat the curse, and died an episode later, but I love that as a protection witch, she died protecting someone, using, not denying, her magic. I felt like a lot of the characters were “off” this episode, or acted in ways they wouldn’t have been acting, but I’m not sure if this choice was intentional or not. In any light, I loved all of the bits of Agatha and Rio scattered throughout the episode, especially how protective she was of Agatha from her mother. I think their relationship is so suspenseful and beautifully written, and I can’t wait to see more of it near the end of the series. Of course, this episode is only as good as its insane reveal right at the end. Personally, I did get this reveal spoiled (thanks, “Funko!”), but even with the knowledge I had going in, the reveal SHOCKED ME. Joe Locke acted the reveal out so well, seeing his demeanor change the second he knew he was going to throw the witches into the mud. The shot of his crown will stick with me for a long time, and I cannot wait to see how “Teen” plays Billy Maximoff/ William Kaplan.
EPISODE SIX: “Familiar by Thy Side”
This episode was a truly special one. Getting so much insight into Joe Locke’s character as a day one Teen lover was something I had been looking forward to since the start of the show. And of course, it was delivered! I loved the appearance of Ralph Bohner, the “Fietro” of Wanda’s Westview anomaly and Agatha’s personal puppet. It was really interesting to see this “serious” side of Ralph compared to his goofy character in Wandavision. Using his character as an informative source for Billy was an excellent and entertaining choice. I also loved the fact that he met the witches before he met them on the road. It was an excellent twist, especially his first encounter with Lilia. I was completely surprised that she was the one who put the sigil on him, but it definitely makes sense considering her story. The fact that he is looking for Tommy and not Wanda was pleasantly surprising. It makes sense, considering Tommy is the only one he knows is alive. I will deeply miss the mother and son relationship Agatha and Billy had, but I am very excited for what’s to come. What I liked most in this episode was how comedic it was. Seeing how crazy Agatha really looked within the spell and comparing it to how serious the first episode was supposed to be truly made me laugh, especially the interrogation scene. I loved Eddie, and I hope that he’s in future projects, because he and Joe Locke worked super well together. Speaking of working well, Joe Locke and Kathyrn Hahn are a PERFECT pair for one another – those two work so well together and I hope they’re both in future Marvel projects. This episode answered so many questions but of course, there are more to come.
EPISODE SEVEN: “Death’s Hand in Mine”
This episode was hands down the best episode of the series, and I would argue one of the best episodes of any Marvel television project. The episode was framed around Lilia’s character, specifically her visions. Throughout the show, Lilia has said many phrases that seemed out of place or random at the time. They weren’t explained until this expertly done, cinematic episode, where they delved into every last one. I thought this episode was a cinematically perfect and wonderfully written work, from the script, to the set, to the costumes. Lilia’s character had yet to be expanded, and I was so moved by her story that I almost forgot Lilia Calderu was just a character. The story’s non-linear storytelling style was confusing at first, but once I understood what was going on, I realized how much thought and care was put into the episode. The scenes between Lilia and her ‘Maestra’ were expertly done- The dynamic between the two was so natural, and I loved how her lessons tied into the main plot of the episode. Speaking of the plot, I loved seeing the new dynamic of Agatha and Billy. Surprisingly I loved Billy’s switch to the superhero he really is from the confused iconic teen (who I still adore), and his snide remarks to Agatha were so satisfying knowing their history. Agatha surprised me, seeing her still be (at least semi) gentle and forgiving. I expected them to form such a bitter rivalry, and while they definitely clash, neither one is truly against the other, although it did hurt hearing Billy tell Agatha he didn’t trust her. Now, for the main plot between Lilia and Jen. It was so refreshing to see Jen’s character development in this episode, which I feel has been overlooked in previous episodes. Seeing her care for Lilia in the tunnels while learning about her gaps in out-of-order sequences was masterfully thought out and a fantastic way to expand the two’s relationship. I didn’t have many opinions about either character before the episode, but seeing Jen get to know Lilia better made me connect with her much more. Of course, there were so many reasons to love Lilia in this episode. Everything about her character was perfectly crafted and put together to make one epic episode. Seriously, I don’t think an episode of a TV series has impacted me that much since Wandavision. Seeing all of Lilia’s past visions come together and form important plot points was beyond cool, but perhaps my favorite part of the episode was her Tarot Reading (yes, I pre-ordered the Tarot deck on Amazon). Watching her finally figure out her power and herself as the swords draw in closer and closer on her coven until finally, she figures out that Rio is “Death”, and her time has come. Speaking of death, Aubrey Plaza’s reveal was beyond iconic and although I wasn’t surprised it still made me gasp. The last couple of scenes from the episode truly proved this episode to be a stand out. Lilia’s line, “I loved being a witch” after spending the entire series avoiding anything that made her seem witchy was so powerful, and the shot of her falling after the Salem Seven will never leave my mind. If this episode gets no Emmys, it will be a shocking disappointment.
EPISODE EIGHT: “Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End”
After episode seven, I was really excited (and a bit sad) to see this series come to a close in its final week. It confused me how they could finish the road with one episode left, but I am happy they took the direction that they did. It made me so sad to see Jen’s reaction to Lilia’s sacrifice, so much so that I was truly rooting for her to get what she wanted from the road. I was a bit disappointed with Rio and Agatha’s interaction in this episode, especially in the first scene. I understand why Agatha didn’t want to see Rio’s face, but it felt as if all of their tension was gone, and their relationship wasn’t the same as it was three episodes ago. Despite this, I still loved their interaction. Knowing Rio was here to take Teen made me so sad for Agatha, as she would have to watch another boy she formed a maternal bond with get taken. Speaking of this, everything I’ve heard or seen about Agatha’s son makes me want to learn his backstory more, especially when Agatha tells Rio “the truth is too horrible” in reference to what happened to her son. I was so worried when I saw the shoes that the whole road would be a circle, but luckily they did not take this route. Instead, the trial for this episode was one of the coolest concepts of the series, despite the set being so minimal compared to all of the others. The sequence where Jen finds out Agatha was the one who bound her didn’t really make sense to me; however, I read in a theory that Agatha was just telling Jen that to show her she had the magic within her all along, and she was never really bound, and I like that concept a lot more. In any light, that sequence was oddly emotional, and it was chilling and gratifying to see Jen leave the witches road. Agatha and Billy’s scene was so intense and wonderfully made. Billy asking Agatha if he is taking a life to create his brother was a haunting line for Locke to end on, and seeing him gone so quickly after shocked me. Kathryn Hahn acted the hell out of her final scene on the road. I was holding my breath the entire time- despite everything she’s done, I wanted her to win. Joe Locke’s Wiccan costume looks SO good, and I can’t wait to see him in future Marvel Projects. Unpopular opinion, but I LOVED that Agatha ended up ”sacrificing” herself for Billy, and Rio and Agatha’s kiss was one of the highlights of the episode. I get that “the kiss of death” may not be what a lot of the fans wanted, but this was so much more than that. Yes, it was technically the kiss of death, but it also seemed to be a kiss of acceptance, love, and forgiveness. And it was a beautifully acted out directed moment for the show. The reveal that Billy was the creator of the road using only his mind absolutely floored me. I didn’t see it coming at ALL, and with every flashback I felt more and more shocked. This episode delivered in so many different ways, and was beautifully done.
EPISODE NINE: “Maiden Mother Crone”
I was a little confused as to why the story would end in a flashback episode, but once I understood the premise I was all in. It finally answered all of the questions I’ve been waiting for! It was finally time to hear about Nicholas Scratch: Agatha’s son. It was a pretty devastating episode all around, but also one that I thought was the perfect way to close the door on the series. Seeing Agatha plead for Rio to keep her son alive and give her more time was already so tragic, and watching her interact with Nicky so tenderly and maternally over the years rubbed salt in the wound. In particular, the scene where Nicholas came up with the original tune for “The Ballad of the Witch’s Road” stuck with me. I loved how Rio made him give Agatha two kisses when she came to take him away. This made me so sad on so many levels. Of course, this was sad, and of course, Kathryn Hahn delivered an incredible performance mourning her son, but this also meant that the “horrible truth” Agatha was keeping from everyone about Nicky was that she made a deal with Death to keep her son for longer. She didn’t give Nicholas up for the Darkhold, or drain him of his power, she just loved her son enough to give him more time. Her holding a funeral for him was brutal and crushing, and I loved how their story was handled overall. The sequence of her using the ballad her and Nicky fully made up to steal witch’s power was so epic, and I loved hearing all of the different voices singing the ballad. It definitely surprised me that her and her son made the ballad, and I loved looking back at how little Agatha truly knew about the road because it was never supposed to be real. The show’s title told us it was Agatha all along from the very first episode, and we still missed it! It was really sweet to think about how Agatha sung this song with her son, and centuries later Alice’s mom covered it so her daughter would always be protected, kind of displaying that her song was still helping people. Agatha and Billy’s final scenes were fantastic and wonderfully acted, and I loved Agatha’s new ghost mentor form. Watching as Billy realized he had a hand in his coven’s deaths was chilling, and hearing Agatha yell that she couldn’t face her son made me even more emotional. Despite all this, the show ended on rather a hopeful note, one that I hope means more content from the both of them in the future.
Agatha All Along has quite frankly taken over my life (ask any of my friends), and that is much to be contributed to its captivating story. I hadn’t been this interested in a Marvel project since Wandavison, so the rush of clicking play on Disney+ every single Wednesday and getting new, show stopping, content was such a welcomed experience that I will miss dearly. I think the reason these conceptual shows captivate me so much boils down to what the show is at its core. Agatha All Along at its core is a witchy, fun show, yes, but it is also a show about growing, and learning. It’s about facing your obstacles head on to get what you truly want. And of course, it’s about moving on from your past and facing your future. This show, much like Wandavision, managed to do all of this while still making an awesome, action-packed and entertaining series. And I think that above all, is what makes it so special.
Kerry Kullen is a first-year Writing for Film, T.V., and Emerging media major who listens to “Down the Witched Road” every night before bed. They can be reached at [email protected]