“Agatha All Along” Delivers a Playful Yet Purpose-Lacking Follow-Up to WandaVision

“Agatha All Along” Delivers a Playful Yet Purpose-Lacking Follow-Up to WandaVision

“Agatha All Along” Delivers a Playful Yet Purpose-Lacking Follow-Up to WandaVision

Kathryn Hahn returns as Agatha Harkness, joined by a fresh ensemble of characters.

Three years after WandaVision marked a new chapter in Marvel television, no subsequent series has matched its acclaim or audience reception. While some shows like Secret Invasion have faded into obscurity, others, such as Ms. Marvel, feel somewhat redundant alongside the MCU films. In this context, the latest offering, Agatha All Along, chooses to tie itself closely to WandaVision, both in plot and nostalgic aesthetics. However, this decision leaves Agatha All Along struggling to find its own distinct identity.

The series kicks off with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) finally escaping the magical prison set by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) at the end of WandaVision. Agatha embarks on a quest to regain her powers, aided by a young man (Joe Locke from Heartstopper) whose name remains a mystery due to a magical sigil that prevents him from introducing himself. This clever device taps into Marvel’s spoiler culture, yet it simultaneously hinders viewers from fully connecting with his character from the outset.

A host of new characters joins Agatha, including witches played by Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Patti LuPone, and Aubrey Plaza. While these actresses bring delightful energy, their introductions are rushed, competing for attention without ample time to develop their backstories. Plaza, in particular, is a standout, known for her remarkable turn as the Shadow King in Legion. Fans hope she can tap into that same dynamism in this new series.

Agatha All Along tries to emulate WandaVision‘s inventive storytelling by parodying various TV genres, starting with an amusing segment that places Agatha in a prestige TV crime show instead of a classic sitcom. However, the transitions feel less seamless. As the coven travels the Witches’ Road, they encounter various magical settings, from a Nancy Meyers-esque gathering to a ’70s rockstar-themed soiree. While these homages are clever and visually striking, they disrupt the show’s rhythm, lacking the smooth flow that characterized WandaVision.

Music plays a significant role, with access to the Witches’ Road contingent upon singing. This choice resonates with Agatha’s memorable musical number from WandaVision, yet it lacks the same impactful cohesion, feeling more like an afterthought in a show already steeped in varied themes.

Having only viewed the first four episodes of the announced nine, it remains to be seen how these elements will coalesce into a coherent narrative. For now, Agatha All Along offers a fun viewing experience for Halloween enthusiasts and fans of witch-centric tales like Practical Magic and The Craft, but it may not captivate Marvel diehards. Grade: C+