Even today, the most peculiar aspect of WandaVision is Marvel’s decision not to create anything similar. Born out of the turmoil and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this 2021 sensation caught even Marvel cynics off guard. The superhero powerhouse’s first foray into television captivated audiences with its nostalgic journey through TV history, hinting at a depth beyond their blockbuster comic adaptations. However, this enchantment was fleeting as the series eventually reverted to typical Marvel storytelling, bypassing a conclusive ending in favor of setting up the next MCU film.
The first challenge that Disney+’s new show Agatha All Along, premiering Wednesday, must overcome is an inexplicable three-year hiatus following its promising predecessor. The cultural landscape for the Marvel Cinematic Universe has significantly shifted since 2021; it’s currently grappling with various creative and commercial hurdles and dealing with inevitable fatigue as it stumbles into its second decade. Was our fondness for WandaVision merely collective hysteria or a temporary distraction akin to Tiger King? Or did it genuinely offer something unique?
The initial four episodes of Agatha All Along, suggest there was indeed substance behind WandaVision—assuming viewers are willing to be patient and risk disappointment once more.
We should approach Agatha All Along as a follow-up to WandaVision. Also helmed by Jac Schaeffer, this new series assumes viewers are familiar with Disney+’s inaugural Marvel show but thankfully doesn’t require extensive knowledge of MCU lore. Continuing from where we last saw Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), the series plunges viewers back into her world three years later: trapped in a magical illusion in a New Jersey suburb (a metaphor for the pandemic?) until an aggrieved ex-lover (Aubrey Plaza) pulls her out, seeking retribution. Agatha manages to negotiate a reprieve and embarks on a journey down the Witch’s Road—a spiritual quest to regain her lost powers. But first, she must assemble a coven of witches and unravel the mystery of an adolescent boy (Joe Locke) whose name remains unspoken.
Despite its slow start, this premise promises entertainment. The first two episodes of Agatha All Along, however, don’t accurately represent what’s to come. The premiere devotes half its duration to an overextended parody of Mare of Easttown. The witch crew isn’t assembled until episode two; their journey doesn’t commence until episode three, which airs one week after the premiere. It seems like creative negligence to demand such patience from viewers who need convincing reasons to watch another Marvel production—relying solely on Kathryn Hahn’s undeniable charm.
Hahn delivers an impressive performance—but as with WandaVision, Agatha shines brightest when interacting with other characters. As often happens when supporting actors transition into lead roles, Agatha All Along grounds Agatha by not only stripping her powers but also toning down her chaotic nature. The series significantly improves once Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, and Patti LuPone (!) join the cast—the show truly kicks off once all witches are present.
This is where we see some semblance of structure as Agatha and her makeshift coven face various haunted houses, each presenting reality-show style challenges—concoct a potion, sing a magical song—while also delving into their individual histories. The group dynamics are intriguing—they’re not instantly friendly, and Agatha doesn’t hide her intentions to use the others to regain her powers. Each witch’s characterization is somewhat superficial—we only get vague glimpses of their struggles for power in a world that resists it. But Agatha All Along doesn’t allow much room for more amidst its Hocus Pocus- inspired antics.
The question remains whether Agatha All Along will conclude satisfactorily or even at all. The standalone nature of this story, debuting in a year when Marvel Studios is consciously scaling back, suggests the possibility of something self-contained and fulfilling. However, there’s still an MCU machine to feed—with speculation surrounding Joe Locke’s nameless teen who seems destined for future MCU plots—and Marvel TV’s habit of leaving gaps in end credits sequences for big names to fill later means we could be surprised by an Avengers-style twist at any moment.
In contrast with most MCU projects that rely on fan excitement over comic book origins, the motivation behind Agatha All Along is a TV show that was genuinely popular and featured an actor who was largely responsible for its success. Despite Marvel taking an inexplicably long time to capitalize on this popularity by giving audiences more Hahn as Agatha Harkness—it remains as good an idea today as it was in 2024. Let’s hope they’ve finally figured out how to build a proper show around her.
