‘Agatha All Along’ Episode 1 Recap & Review: Aubrey Plaza Is a Scary Good MCU Addition

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Agatha All Along Episode 1, “Seekest Thou the Road.”

There would be no Agatha All Along without WandaVision, and the new Marvel Television spin-off project pays tribute to its predecessor in multiple ways throughout its first episode. The series continues the television trope trend by beginning with a police procedural with a catchy intro tune to pair alongside it.

However, while WandaVision may have birthed Agatha All Along, the new series on Disney+ utilizes familiar characters with a unique twist. Fresh off the heels of Deadpool & Wolverine, the first episode sets the tone for one of the most mature projects in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Check out all the details from our Agatha All Along Episode 1, “Seekest Thou the Road,” recap below!

Kathryn Hahn Returns as Agnes To Kick Off “Seekest Thou the Road”

Agatha All Along Episode 1 begins with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) still stuck under Wanda’s spell, now believing she’s a detective named Agnes from Westview. She’s been called in to identify a Jane Doe who has been killed with her body left in the woods. Familiar faces from WandaVision are actively involved in her investigation, with entirely new jobs and roles from where the audience last saw them. However, the mystery of their career changes takes a back seat as all signs point to Jane Doe being the same person who put Agatha under the spell.

Although viewers don’t see her face, there are constant hints that the body is likely Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). The facelessness works as a representation of Agatha’s memory loss while she tries to piece together the clues to solve the investigation. However, with scarlet hair, blunt force trauma, and other identifying factors, including an anagram spelling out “Darkhold,” it’s clear the body belongs to none other than the Scarlet Witch.

Aubrey Plaza Makes Her ‘Agatha All Along’ Debut as Agent Vidal

It takes a while for the mystical aspects of the series to be introduced. Still, the slower pace and focus on a procedural investigation to begin Agatha All Along Episode 1 feels like a warm hug reminding viewers of the early episodes of WandaVision. Aubrey Plaza is introduced not as the witch Rio Vidal but as Agent Vidal from the FBI. She immediately lights up the screen when she first appears, and it’s clear her character has a messy and twisted history with Agatha Harkness. However, all Agatha can remember is that she doesn’t like Agent Vidal.

Even with both characters not acting as their true selves, Plaza and Hahn have immediate and intense chemistry. However, just as their investigation is heating up, they’re interrupted by a break-in at Agnes’ home, followed by a campy (in the best way) classic cop show chase scene.

The homage to police procedurals wouldn’t be complete without an interrogation scene, which is the first true introduction to the character known only as “Teen” (Joe Locke). He knows all about the real Agatha and begins antagonizing her, using magic to help break her out of her spell. However, the most interesting part of the investigation is that Teen’s fingertips are stained similarly to those who have read the Darkhold.

When Does ‘Agatha All Along’ Take Place in the MCU?

Agnes begins to realize the investigation is all happening inside her head, and there’s no actual dead body. With help from Rio Vidal and Teen’s magical influences, Agnes of Westview is stripped away and Agatha Harkness is reborn. Literally — she wakes up completely naked in the middle of her living room with her memory back. She storms out into the street without her clothes, where John Collins, also known as Herb (David Payton), reveals they thought she was losing her mind due to PTSD from Wanda’s Hex. They were humoring her, helping with the fake investigation to ease the pain, and we find out Agatha All Along takes place around three years after WandaVision.

Kathryn Hahn delivers some rare MCU nudity, but that’s only the tip of the sexy iceberg as it pales in comparison to her fight with Rio Vidal in Agatha All Along Episode 1. Their history together is still unknown, but Vidal reveals important information as they attempt to tear each other apart. For reasons unknown, they aren’t allowed to kill each other. It’s almost tough to focus on the important magical lore they’re discussing as the chemistry between the two of them is so intense.

‘Agatha All Along’ Episode 1 Review: An Ode to ‘WandaVision’

The episode concludes abruptly after Rio Vidal reveals to Agatha that her former coven, the Salem’s Seven, is coming after her for revenge. With no magical powers left at her disposal, Agatha begins the series with her back up against the wall. It takes a while for the story to progress, so it’s a smart strategy from Marvel Television to release this as a two-part premiere. However, the WandaVision vibes and exciting new mystery make Agatha All Along Episode 1, “Seekest Thou the Road” a resounding success.

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