While WandaVision focuses on the sorrowful story of Wanda’s (Elizabeth Olsen) heartbreak and grief following the death of Vision (Paul Bettany), it also introduces a new villain to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one with a larger story waiting to be told. As Agatha All Along approaches, there’s no better time to revisit the events of WandaVision to gain a deeper understanding of the menacing Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) before the upcoming Marvel spin-off series.
WandaVision sets the stage, quite literally, for numerous catastrophic events in the MCU, but Wanda’s story continues in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness where we see her spiral into villainy begin. Before going full speed into Agatha’s new chapter, let’s dive into the grief-fueled, chaotic events of the series, ensuring you’re ready for the magical journey up the Witches’ Road ahead.
‘WandaVision’ Recap: How Did This Hex Get Here?
While reintroducing familiar faces, WandaVision, created by Jac Schaeffer, breaks the barriers previously seen within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Schaeffer meticulously crafted a superhero action mixed with classic television sitcoms centering on the suburban life of Westview, reflecting that of historic American sitcoms from the 1950s-1990s. As the show progresses, it becomes clear that Westview’s reality is not as it seems. Despite Wanda’s efforts to enchant the entire town, an unexpected individual reveals a deeper layer of mystery: Wanda has crafted an elaborate illusion to fulfill her dream life.
After mourning the loss of Vision in Avengers: Endgame, Wanda Maximoff constructs an idyllic suburban life, using her powers to “resurrect” Vision, allowing them to navigate their charming new life together while raising twin children. However, the facade begins to crumble when the fabric of their reality breaks. Throughout the eight-episode adventure, WandaVision reveals that Wanda’s magical powers cause this illusion, and she is maintaining Westview for her own pleasure. As the mystery deepens throughout the show, the series reintroduces previous characters including Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), and Dr. Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), as they investigate and uncover the true extent of the manipulation.
While the tension mounts inside Westview and Wanda’s control over the town weakens, this blissful facade eventually collapses. This reveals the powerful Agatha Harkness, igniting a major confrontation between the two witches. After a fierce battle over the streets of Westview, Wanda must come to terms with the consequences of her actions and the loss of her love and her imaginary children.
The Escalating Conflict Between Wanda and Agatha
Over the eight-episode series, the events triggered by both Wanda and Agatha lead to the fierce climactic battle with the pair fighting for each other’s powers. This fight serves as a pivotal moment in the series and for the future of Agatha Harkness, as Episode 8 highlights the clash in personalities and ideologies between the two women; Wanda is driven by the desire to control the Hex while it’s revealed Agatha is using the dark magic of the Darkhold. This showdown reveals Wanda’s true potential as she embraces what Agatha calls the “Scarlet Witch,” turning Westview into a battlefield and a reflection of her inner emotions.
However, although the battle is a fearsome fight of power, Agatha also uses this confrontation to explore and expose Wanda’s inner guilt in hopes of manipulating her to defeat. Despite that, this ultimately fails. Her plans backfire when Wanda uses this to her advantage by exploiting Agatha’s tricks against her, trapping her in a rune spell and leaving her powerless within the Hex as Agnes, the nosy neighbor. The battle concludes as a culmination of Wanda’s journey to self-exploration and acceptance, and while she triumphs, she must now confront the harsh reality of her actions, which is the thrust of Multiverse of Madness.
It Was Agatha Pulling the Strings All Along
Kathryn Hahn’s character was first introduced in WandaVision as the nosy sidekick to Wanda, portraying the stereotypical neighbor archetype found in the sitcoms on which WandaVision is based. However, as the series progresses, Agnes reveals she is a powerful witch. Eventually, we learn more about her backstory: During the Salem Witch Trials, a coven of witches led by her mother Evanora Harkness (Kate Forbes) discovered she was practicing dark magic and tried to execute her. However, Agatha drained them of their magic and wanted to do the same with Wanda’s legendary power.
Agatha has been manipulating certain events in the Hex created by Wanda all along and plays a key role in convincing her that Ralph Bohner (Evan Peters) is her deceased brother Pietro. Masterfully, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez created a now famous tune, “Agatha All Along,” for the big reveal, which ultimately influenced the name of the upcoming spin-off (though it went through a few iterations before it got there).
Which Characters Will Return in ‘Agatha All Along’?
While not all characters from WandaVision will reprise their roles in Agatha All Along, there will be some familiar faces. In addition to Hahn reprising her role as Agatha, she will be joined by Dottie Jones/Sarah Proctor (Emma Caulfield), previously seen in WandaVision as the town’s social leader, and Sharon Davis/Mrs. Hart (Debra Jo Rupp), also seen in the Hex.
Joe Locke, known for his work in Heartstopper, makes his debut in the MCU as the mysterious Teen, who has been theorized as the reborn son of Wanda, Billy Kaplan, or Wiccan — a member of the Young Avengers in the comics. Alongside Locke, Agatha All Along introduces some familiar faces from the Marvel Comics universe. Aubrey Plaza joins as a villainous member of Agatha’s coven, the Green Witch Rio Vidal (a seemingly new character for the show).
Sasheer Zamata, Patti LuPone, and Ali Ahn are also joining as witches Jennifer Kale, Lilia Calderu, and Alice Wu-Gulliver, respectively. Although Agatha All Along is a spin-off to WandaVision, there is a chance the series incorporates prequel elements, most likely in the form of the history between Agatha and Rio, which has been teased in marketing for the series.
The Misfit Coven Embarks Down the Witches’ Road in ‘Agatha All Along’
The Agatha Harkness Marvel spin-off series returns at the perfect time ahead of spooky season, as our own Ryan Cortero has labeled the series as “the scariest Marvel project to date.” Although the Disney+ show went through numerous name changes since the beginning of its production, including Agatha: House of Harkness and Agatha: Coven of Chaos, showrunner Jac Schaeffer revealed in her interview with Agents of Fandom that the changes were a fun way of signaling Agatha pulling the strings behind the scenes all along.
Agatha All Along will pick up directly from where WandaVision left off, with Agatha trapped in her “Agnes” persona. As Agatha breaks free from Wanda’s spell, she assembles a coven of misfit witches, all possessing unique abilities, and together set off on the risky adventure of taking the Witches’ Road, in hopes of Agatha reclaiming her lost powers. Agatha’s solo adventure after WandaVision‘s finale is bound to be full of magic, horror, and Kathryn Hahn’s captivatingly menacing presence.
Agatha All Along premieres on Disney+ on September 18. Follow the Agents of Fandom socials to stay up to date with the latest entertainment news.
