Agatha All Along review: WandaVision’s belated sequel recaptures MCU magic

4.0 out of 5 star rating

As a long-time aficionado of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must say that Agatha All Along is off to a splendid start. The performances are top-notch, with Aubrey Plaza stealing the show as the unpredictable Rio Vidal. I found myself reminiscing about Parks and Recreation’s April Ludgate, marveling at Plaza’s ability to embody chaos with such finesse.

It’s been such a long time since we last saw Kathryn Hahn’s mischievous, witty, dog-murdering witch on our screens that it seems like another era. Back then, the Marvel Cinematic Universe still held strong hopes for the future and fans couldn’t get enough of its vibrant cast of characters (after a break due to COVID).

Looking back now, the debate over Mephisto’s disappearance and the Ralph Bohner deception were the seeds that eventually led to the current split within the fanbase. However, at the time, the overall mood was mostly upbeat, with Hahn’s captivating portrayal of neighbor Agnes (later unveiled as comic book adversary Agatha Harkness) contributing significantly to this cheerful atmosphere.

The character’s fame reached its height with the catchy tune that inspired this spin-off’s name, quickly turning into a viral sensation on early Twitter (you know, before Elon Musk). It’s unfortunate that the show didn’t arrive earlier to fully leverage this popularity. However, Agatha All Along seems to promote patience in project development.

As a devoted fan, it’s refreshing to witness a production that appears to have been meticulously planned and not just hastily assembled like some recent MCU releases, such as Secret Invasion, Quantumania, and The Marvels. Who would have guessed that taking the time to think things through could make such a significant difference?

In the sequel, Jac Schaeffer resumes control as writer, and we find Agatha Harkness still residing in the peaceful town of Westview following Wanda Maximoff’s imprisonment of her in suburban disguise. It seems that the curse has lessened after the occurrences of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, providing an opportunity for a particular gothic teenager to step in and take action.

Schaeffer’s previous MCU series captivated viewers with tributes to sitcoms from various eras, and this creative storytelling structure earned it 23 Emmy nominations (a number no subsequent Marvel show has approached). It’s not surprising that Agatha All Along pays homage to this method in a striking opening act.

In this episode, Agatha is portrayed as a disillusioned detective investigating a gruesome case involving a corpse discovered in the forest, much like the troubled heroes of True Detective and Mare of Easttown. The narrative style somewhat resembles the compressed storytelling of WandaVision, rapidly leading towards the anticipated resurrection hinted at by the trailers.

Although it’s understandable that Schaeffer wished to explore new territories instead of revisiting familiar themes, it would have been intriguing to witness her satirical take on other high-profile dramas before delving back in. However, the primary emphasis of this series lies on a perilous voyage along the Witches’ Path, a mystical realm that potentially harbors the secret to rejuvenating Agatha’s dwindling powers.

Fans might have been disappointed by how Multiverse of Madness seemed to overlook some key character development from WandaVision, but that didn’t stop Schaeffer from drawing inspiration from the movie’s influential director, Sam Raimi. The clever use of camera techniques, the eerie forest setting, and a strong emphasis on practical effects all serve to echo the intense chills of the Evil Dead series.

Absolutely, this Disney Plus series is rated PG-13 (or 12A), which means it’s not as gruesome or scary as some other shows. However, fans of the genre will notice the thoughtful efforts to create a creepy ambiance for Agatha All Along. These subtle details should attract a decent number of viewers during the upcoming Halloween season.

Hahn seamlessly resumes her title character as if no days have gone by, with Schaeffer’s writings maintaining the obvious wickedness of her persona while introducing intriguing new layers. Agatha All Along additionally introduces some prominent figures into the expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe family, featuring Joe Locke, Aubrey Plaza, and Broadway icon Patti LuPone in leading roles.

The character known as ‘Teen’ has sparked the most curiosity among viewers, with his real identity being a major enigma in the series. Some Marvel fans have even proposed that he might be none other than Wanda’s son, Billy, who could eventually grow into a superhero with magical powers, using the name Wiccan.

He’s also one of the publisher’s leading characters who is openly gay, a fact that some scholars see as significant given that Locke, like the character he portrays, is openly gay. I have expressed my opinion about this show before, stating that it holds great value for queer youth but could benefit from improvements in its writing and acting quality.

After Yasmin Finney’s performance in Doctor Who didn’t quite meet expectations, I must admit to having some reservations about how Locke would fare among the talented actors Hahn, Plaza, and LuPone in his series. However, by episode 4 (the one made available for review), he seems to be holding his own quite well, creating enough distinction between ‘Teen’ and Charlie Spring to let each character shine independently.

Without a doubt, Plaza’s character, Rio Vidal, who is Agatha’s rival, consistently outshines everyone else. She boasts not just one, but three grand entrances, each more extravagant than the previous. Plaza masterfully portrays an unpredictable energy that would have April Ludgate smirking, and her character seems to be filled with hidden complexities, making her the most intriguing figure on the show.

It’s quite likely that Schaeffer will have created two villains by the end of the series. Maybe we’ll reunite in three years for “Rio Reigns Again” or another spin-off with a catchy alliteration.

At the midpoint, Lupone’s portrayal of Lilia Calderu has been relatively unremarkable compared to her co-stars, Sasheer Zamata and Ali Ahn, who have yet to deliver standout performances as witches Jennifer Kale and Alice Wu-Gulliver.

For LuPone’s role, one might ponder if it was specifically chosen for her appearances in the musical segments – there have been two thus far, with additional ones anticipated. I worry that these could invite criticism from certain viewers who hold a limited perspective on what Marvel productions should encompass, considering the negativity prevalent in the science fiction and fantasy genre as of late.

It’s likely Schaeffer is aware of that risk, yet opted to take a chance. That being said, it seems fitting – why should an artist bow to the caprices of the unaccommodating? However, I can’t help but feel that additional care could be taken to fortify defenses against the predictable backlash, rather than relying on just an in-story justification for the characters’ singing.

To set the record straight, I’m open to the idea of musical sequences in the MCU, but unfortunately, the tunes from WandaVision (composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez) lack excitement for me so far. The way they are presented on screen is typically just the actors standing and singing the song in full, with minimal variation like occasional cuts or special effects. It feels quite monotonous.

Interestingly, it’s common among Disney Plus original Marvel series that they start off quite strong, but later encounter a dip in quality around the mid-season mark. As I’ve only watched four out of nine episodes of Agatha All Along, I can’t definitively say if it shares this issue, but I did notice that the last episode I saw was the slowest and seemed to repeat certain elements more than the others.

I’m optimistic it’s just a minor hiccup before episode 5 brings a powerful comeback. Only time will reveal the truth. For now, Marvel enthusiasts can feel confident that Agatha All Along has an impressive debut, preserving a similar style and quality to WandaVision, without leaning on nostalgia from the decades-old classic.

In a playful yet cunning manner, Hahn’s witch could be described as causing chaos within Wanda’s spell. However, she now stands ready to aid in restoring the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s vigor, that is, if the trolls don’t manage to interfere first.

Agatha All Along premieres on Disney Plus on Thursday 19th September. New episodes weekly.

2024-09-19 04:34

Read More