It’s no secret that Marvel Studio’s track record has been spotty recently. In some of its projects, the powerhouse studio has encountered hiccups, misfires, and straight duds. With some bad, there has been good. X-Men ’97 and Deadpool and Wolverine have been hits among fans, and the studio is hoping to continue that trend with their latest series, Agatha All Along.
The spinoff of the widely popular Wandavision promises to put Marvel Studios back on the right track for success with interweaving storylines, visuals, and some order to their chaotic Phase 5. Although the show is somewhat entertaining, it won’t reach the heights of its predecessor, but it is a decent side quest for the MCU.
Agatha All Along brings back Kathryn Hahn as the comic book character that catapulted her into the mainstream. This time, Agatha Harkness has found an escape from the spell Wanda Maximoff placed on her at the end of the events of Wandavision. Not wasting her time, the once-powerful witch is searching to regain the strength she was known for by any means necessary. She finds a literal pathway and coven of characters in Teen (Joe Locke), Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), and Lilia (Patti Lupone), and Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza).
Harkness hopes her journey will lead her to become a serious threat in the MCU and other nefarious deeds.
You’ll be happy that Hahn’s performance as Agatha Harkness has not skipped a beat. She easily fits back into the role while utilizing slight and not-so-slight digs alongside witty remarks. It’s like seeing the aunt who has no kids and no f**ks to give. Sometimes, she can be a real a-hole but it comes from a place of charm. Consequently, the show allows Hahn to expand on the character.
There are several moments when the character develops more nuanced as the writing reveals more of Harkness’s background and the hardship she faces throughout her many lives. Agatha All Along even delves into the sacrifice she made to get where she is in the story and, in a way, regain some of her humanity. This notice is only amplified with the inclusion of Teen, Rio, and the rest of the gang.
Harkness was showcased in Wandavision as a loner or someone willing to burn connections to other people. Agatha All Along forces the witch to interact with those who have dealt with loss and trauma, allowing her character to grow. The ensemble cast gives the show much-needed entertainment when they work together while also allowing their own significant moments. Everyone has a distinct look and personality that keeps Agatha All Along engaging for the most part. However, the bickering in the group can be tedious at times.
Personalities will clash that allow well-deserved banter, but there are several moments in the show where it becomes boring or annoying. The coven is caught in situations similar to a PG version of a Saw trap. Episode three introduces this concept, leading to the group’s infighting to solve the puzzle. A fight occurs, a eureka moment comes, and the puzzle is solved. However, the same beats are repeated in the next episode, and I already grew tired of it.
Another aspect of Agatha All Along that works is the costumes, sets, and visuals. Marvel Studios gave the show a unique look while always paying homage to Wandavision. The first episode starts as a parody to crime shows—True Detective specifically—then switches to something on its own. The show really takes off when the mystical part of the story takes hold but still keeps some things based in reality. A great mixture of both throughout the show is a reminder that these Marvel shows can still be fun. Yet, the overarching plot is something to be desired.
There’s a level of mystery in Agatha All Along that helps set up some interesting plot points. We must discover the identity of the several characters and their relationship to one another, how this journey will affect Harkness, and who’s behind it all. These beats are engaging for a bit, but the uneven pacing in the writing makes it almost a snore fest. I cared less and less as the episodes continued, and the short runtimes made my viewing nearly a chore. The show doesn’t call for an overcomplex story, but it needs a reason for me to give a s**t.
Shockingly, it took Agatha All Along this long to hit streaming, but I’m glad it’s finally here. The shows Camp, Acting, Design, and PG Horror are good to watch on face value and fun junk food television. The story could’ve used more fine-tuning to really raise the show’s worth in the MCU. The series is said to be the second part of a trilogy of shows, with Wandavision being the first and Vision being the final piece in this puzzle. Agatha All Along is a decent continuation of this part of the MCU, and it regained my interest in seeing what comes from Marvel Studios.