Agatha All Along

**upd**. Agatha All Along is not the best MCU show. It is the best MCU everything. Period.

Duo might finally become a trio. And maybe **Agatha even surpass WandaVision and Loki** at the end. We will see how it all gonna end.
From the moment crew was assembled, the show became a banger. Cast, setting, characters, humor, music everything just works.

First half, gives off **D&D vibe** from reluctant bonding to general shenanigans and sudden moment of ~~shit just got real~~ raising stakes. Line delivery is pure joy.

But of course, it's incredibly woke... it has 6 women and 1 gay teen! Brace yourselves, 2 of them not of European descent. And those witches keep mentioning unfairness of witches trials in the show about Witches. Crazy I know. Woke just gone wild 😔

For ~~normal~~ people, if you don't vibe with the show after episode 3, you could always drop it if it's not your cup of tea. Don't force yourselves like some weirdos;)

Having watched all the episodes, all I can say is, definitely start. Don't hesitate and open and watch.:-)

Some background: I'm a MCU fan through and through. Like many of us, I have watched everything post Endgame and I've felt disappointed at times. Expectations are low these days when it comes to a MCU property, especially when it's a Marvel TV show. The only show I have **LOVED** is Loki but there have been a few I've liked like Wandavision. If you haven't seen Wandavision, you want to watch it before this show.

This show showcases what good writing is all about. There are hints dropped throughout the show and they are hard to spot quite often and the reveals are jaw dropping. The characters are well written and definitely something you'll fall in love with. To start off with, the show feels _okay_ much like many other Marvel TV shows. It's irreverent and cooky to begin with. Your faith in watching the show gets paid off as the story builds quite rapidly towards the mid-season and every one of the episodes post that is a sure fire hit.

I loved Loki but this is the first show IMO that has quite easily beaten it. Kathryn Hahn and Joe Locke have killed it on this show but the casting for **all** of the main cast is absolutely on point. Watch this show as soon as you can!

I would renew my Disney Plus subscription if we got more shows like this. Glad that I got to watch this before my current sub runs out.

As someone who is not a Marvel super fan, I found Agatha All Along quite refreshing. Witchy, magical, mystical fun. And I didn't have to try remember this and that tiny detail from this many movies ago to enjoy it.

Kathryn Hahn is great and you wish so hard that Agnes is a villain who can redeem herself because you can't help but like her. [spoiler] Of course she doesn't and it'd honestly have been a disservice to the character if they forced her to become a truly good person. She's a villain and mass murderess, who occasionally does the right thing - not the other way around. [/spoiler] I adore Joe Locke and think he's a great fit for his role. Jen (Sasheer Zamata) got some of the best lines in the series and I would love to see more of her in the future. Aubrey Plaza's role feels like a powered up version of her character from Criminal Minds if I'm honest. Deadly and obsessive. I don't hate it since that apparently suits her too well.

I loved the banter and interplay between the coven members and it was quite refreshing to have so many female characters on screen at once instead of the token girl who gets a word in edgewise once in a while.

Obviously, not every episode was perfect but Ballad of the Witches Road is still on heavy rotation on my Spotify thanks to episode 4. Additionally, I think episode 7, Death's Hand in Mine, was the best thing I've watched in a long time. Brava, Patti LuPone!

Starts off very slow, fortunately not as drawn out as WandaVision, but once they start their adventure it is very good. I can do without the unnecessary love story but the core plot is entertaining.

**Betrayal, Ballads, and Big Witch Energy: The Story of _Agatha All Along_**

When _Agatha All Along_ was announced as a spinoff to the acclaimed _WandaVision_, expectations soared. How could anything live up to the vibrant, genre-bending magic of its predecessor? The answer: by conjuring a show that embraces its own quirks, doubles down on emotional storytelling, and takes viewers on a spellbinding ride down the legendary Witches’ Road. Marvel Studios and creator Jac Schaeffer deliver a series that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive—a darkly whimsical tale with Kathryn Hahn’s devious charm at its center.

**Plot and Characters: A Coven of Misfits**

Picking up three years after _WandaVision_, the show begins with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) still trapped in her Agnes persona, living a humdrum life as a Westview police detective. It’s a gritty setup with a supernatural twist, as a Jane Doe case and the arrival of Joe Locke’s mysterious Teen catalyze Agatha’s journey to reclaim her identity and power. Alongside her is an eclectic coven: Patti LuPone’s diviner Lilia Calderu, Sasheer Zamata’s potion-wielding Jennifer Kale, Ali Ahn’s haunted Alice Wu-Gulliver, and Aubrey Plaza’s enigmatic Rio Vidal (aka Lady Death). Each character brings a distinct energy, and their uneasy alliance is rife with tension and begrudging camaraderie.

Kathryn Hahn continues to dazzle as Agatha, infusing every line with delicious wit and layered vulnerability. Her scenes with Aubrey Plaza are a highlight, their simmering chemistry electric as they navigate a past steeped in betrayal. Plaza, playing the sardonic, chaotic Vidal, commands attention, especially when her true nature as Death is revealed in Episode 7. Joe Locke’s Teen provides a surprising emotional anchor, and his mysterious connection to Agatha hints at the deeper wounds she carries.

**Themes and Tone: A Witchy Adventure with Depth**

Jac Schaeffer’s magic lies in balancing spectacle with substance. While the Witches’ Road is a visually surreal marvel, complete with vivid colors and practical effects that evoke an ’80s horror vibe, the series shines brightest when exploring its themes. At its core, _Agatha All Along_ is a story of redemption, self-discovery, and power. It doesn’t shy away from the darker roots of witchcraft, confronting themes like misogyny and generational trauma while celebrating the strength of its female characters.

This tonal balance extends to the writing, which skillfully marries campy humor with poignant moments. Agatha’s transformation back to herself in Episode 1 is a standout—a noir detective peeling away layers of forced personas to reclaim her truth. The show also embraces episodic storytelling, with trials on the Witches’ Road that test the coven’s unity and personal resilience. From Alice’s haunting family curse to Jennifer’s struggle to reclaim her bound powers, each arc adds richness to the overarching journey.

**Standout Episodes: A Spellbinding Journey**

Among the nine episodes, several stand out as masterclasses in storytelling:

**Episode 1: “Seekest Thou the Road”** establishes Agatha’s fragmented identity with a detective noir twist, culminating in her cathartic reawakening.
**Episode 3: “Through Many Miles / Of Tricks and Trials”** takes the coven to the eerie Witches’ Road Mansion, blending psychological horror with a trial of poison and hallucinations.
**Episode 7: “Death’s Hand in Mine”** delivers a haunting blend of sacrifice and revelation as Lilia Calderu’s ultimate act of redemption unravels her fragmented life, while Rio’s shocking identity as Death shatters the coven’s fragile trust in a tarot-laden trial of fate and free will.
**Episode 9: “Maiden Mother Crone”** wraps up the Witches’ Road saga with an emotional finale that leaves Agatha poised for future adventures while resolving the coven’s trials in deeply satisfying ways.

**Visuals and Style: Practical Magic at Its Finest**

Visually, _Agatha All Along_ is a feast. Its practical effects—a conscious departure from CGI-heavy Marvel fare—lend the series a tactile, almost dreamlike quality. Every magical element, from the fog-draped Witches’ Road to the eerie glow of fireflies, was crafted with painstaking attention to detail. The commitment to practical effects extended to action sequences, such as Episode 7’s dramatic sword drop, where actual metal blades were dropped from the ceiling with precision mapping, adding an edge of realism and danger.

The Witches’ Road, in particular, stands out as a masterstroke of set design. Built twice to achieve the perfect scale, the final version is a rich tapestry of mud pits, mushrooms, and glowing flora—all filmed in-camera to enhance its tangible, studio-bound aesthetic. This hands-on approach immersed the actors in the environment, bringing authenticity to their performances and grounding the fantastical elements of the series in reality. The physical demands of navigating the road’s uneven terrain, paired with the magical atmosphere created by fog and glowing mushrooms, enhanced both the storytelling and the visual experience.

By embracing practical effects and studio-built sets, the series pays homage to the golden age of fantasy filmmaking while adding layers of depth to its narrative. This approach makes the Witches’ Road feel like a character in its own right—otherworldly, dangerous, and entirely unforgettable. Music plays a recurring role, too, with the _Ballad of the Witches’ Road_ threading through key moments, adding a haunting resonance.

**Final Thoughts: A Bewitching Success**

While it doesn’t quite match _WandaVision’s_ genre-defining brilliance, _Agatha All Along_ forges its own path, embracing its quirks and delivering an emotionally resonant, spellbinding tale. It’s a bold entry in the MCU’s television experiment, proving that magic doesn’t always have to be about explosions and world-ending stakes—sometimes, it’s in the characters, the journey, and the haunting echo of a song.

If this truly marks the end of Kathryn Hahn’s tenure as Agatha, it’s a fitting, triumphant conclusion. But if the final notes are any hint, there’s still room for more cackling chaos—and honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Excellent, most of the people whining haven't even finished yet...or probably haven't watched it at all. The storytelling in episode 7 was outstanding, everyone involved with this property completely understands Agatha.

I was kind of wondering what would be left for the final episode, but they tied everything up with a nice little bow and made sure to resolve most of the loose threads. Everyone who worked on this from the music, to directing, editing, & acting should be very proud, it was great!

It was fun, maybe they made this so that we could get to know Agatha Harkness. 8/10.

I’d give Agatha All Along an 8 out of 10. This limited series is spellbinding, with a strong female-led cast that brings a distinct energy and engaging performances. The show opens on an incredibly strong note, though it loses some momentum by the end. Despite this, it still holds its own and feels refreshingly unique, steering clear of typical superhero storytelling.

Episode seven stands out as the highlight of the series—it’s beautifully written and shot, and I’d recommend watching the series for this episode alone. Though the show declines in intensity over the final two episodes, the pacing could have been improved with one or two additional episodes to allow certain character storylines more room to breathe, rather than wrapping up so quickly.

Joe Locke’s character adds a captivating, darker layer to the story. He feels more nuanced than a typical hero, with intriguing undertones of corruption and vulnerability. Agatha was brilliantly cast as the lead, but I found the other members of the coven surprisingly compelling—sometimes even more so than Agatha herself.

While Agatha All Along is technically a sequel to WandaVision, it stands out on its own and doesn’t require prior knowledge of WandaVision to enjoy. The show seamlessly fills in any necessary background, making it accessible to newcomers while still connecting to fans of the larger Marvel Universe.

Among the cast, Patti LuPone’s performance was exceptional. Her portrayal deserves an award and truly elevates the series. Other characters like Mrs. Davis, Alice, and Jen each brought something unique to the table. Mrs. Davis was charmingly portrayed, though I wished for more development in her storyline. Alice, too, had room for more exploration, and Jen’s witty, sarcastic personality feels like a character who could reappear in future Marvel projects.

As for costume design, Joe Locke’s character’s look was somewhat disappointing. While the crown or headpiece was well-crafted, the rest of his costume lacked refinement and could have benefited from a more polished look. Hopefully, any future appearances for his character will bring an upgrade that better matches the character’s presence.

The show concludes with several cliffhangers, hinting that certain characters will continue within the Marvel Universe. While I’m excited to see more of Joe Locke’s character, I am concerned that some characters may be left behind. Still, Locke’s character is strong enough to potentially support his own franchise, perhaps in another TV series. The mystical elements in this series are captivating, and I’m confident Marvel fans will be drawn to the enchanting paths this story could take. Here’s to keeping the magic alive!

Agatha All Along manages to weave a compelling story, though it’s not without its rough patches. Apart from the first two episodes, which lay a promising foundation, it’s after episode 6 that the show really makes it worth the journey. The pacing stalls between episodes 3 to 5, where several scenes feel unnecessary and don’t contribute much to the overarching plot. However, once the story kicks back in after episode 6, it finds its stride with thrilling developments and deeper character moments.

The final episodes, in particular, elevate the series, turning it into an excellent addition to the MCU. Fans will be thrilled with the appearance of Wiccan, hinting at an exciting future in the MCU. Overall, it’s a rewarding show with a few slow spots but a satisfying payoff.