Movie Reviews

Agatha All Along Episodes 1 & 2 Recap: Wanda Maximoff Is Dead & 7 Other Reveals

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Agatha All Along episodes 1 and 2



The Agatha All Along two-episode premiere takes up the titular villain’s story where WandaVision left off and expands the MCU’s magical lore. Agatha Harkness is an essential part of Scarlet Witch’s MCU journey, as she caused Wanda Maximoff’s Westview illusion to crumble, sending Wanda on a downward spiral that culminated in her death at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Meanwhile, Agatha herself suffered the consequences of her quest for forbidden power, as Wanda cast a spell on Agatha during the WandaVision finale’s ending, forcing her to stay in her fictional “Nosy Agnes” persona.


With the Scarlet Witch dead and the Darkhold destroyed at Wundagore Mountain, it was only a matter of time until Agatha Harkness’ spell was broken and new magical threats appeared. In Agatha All Along episodes 1 and 2, Agatha Harkness regains her memories and embarks on a quest to regain her magic, teaming up with a mysterious teenager and the rest of Agatha All Along‘s main cast, which includes three heroic witches and WandaVision‘s Mrs. Hart. With the villainous Salem Seven and a spiteful witch on their toes, Agatha All Along‘s improvised witch coven begin walking down the Witches’ Road.


8 Agatha Has Been Trapped In Her Own WandaVision-Like TV Show For 3 Years

Scarlet Witch Left Agatha Harkness Believing She Was A Forensic Detective In Her Own True Crime-Inspired Story


Agatha All Along begins with Agatha Harkness still trapped in Wanda Maximoff’s spell, believing herself to be a forensic detective named Agnes, set on solving a murder mystery. However, Agatha slowly realizes that her life is a lie, as her job is only the result of a crime show-themed illusion. Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal is the only acquaintance who knows the true nature of Agatha’s circumstances, and she guides Agatha towards real life. Joe Locke’s “Teen” character also helps Agatha break out of Wanda’s spell when he arrives seeking her help.


Wanda’s neighbors from WandaVisio n return in new roles within Agatha’s illusion. This time around, John a.k.a. Herb is Agatha’s fellow detective, Sarah a.k.a. Dottie is a librarian, Harold a.k.a. Phil is the chief of police, and Abilash a.k.a. Norm is a jeweler. However, only Agatha experiences her illusion, while the rest of Westview’s residents carry on with their original lives and tolerate what seem to be Agatha’s hallucinations. When Agatha finally breaks out of the spell, she leaves Westview untouched — Mrs. Hart notwithstanding.

7 Agatha Harkness Lost Her Powers After Scarlet Witch Destroyed The Darkhold

Agatha Harkness No Longer Has Access To Dark Magic After Losing To Wanda Maximoff And Failing To Protect The Darkhold

It doesn’t even occur to Agatha Harkness to use her powers as forensic detective Agnes, as she has no recollection of her original life under Wanda Maximoff’s spell. But even after regaining her memories, Agatha is unable to perform any spells, as her WandaVision defeat and the Darkhold’s destruction stripped her of her magic. Still, Agatha retains her knowledge of the dark arts, which allows her to seek out other witches and manipulate them into joining her new coven. Agatha is also skilled enough in hand-to-hand combat to fend off Rio Vidal on her own.


Until she finishes crossing the road or her coven betrays her, Agatha will continue to be a regular human being

In Agatha All Along‘s premiere episodes, Agatha Harkness recruits other witches in order to walk down the Witches’ Road, which can restore her magical abilities and even make her more powerful than before. Another way for Agatha to regain her powers would be to absorb other witches’ magical energy when they attack her, which in turn serves as leverage to keep her coven from turning on her. Until she finishes crossing the road or her coven betrays her, Agatha will continue to be a regular human being.

6 Scarlet Witch’s Body Shows Up In Agatha Harkness’s Delusion

Wanda Maximoff’s Death At Wundagore Mountain Apparently Sent A Signal To Agatha Harkness’ Mind


One of the biggest surprises in Agatha All Along‘s premiere episodes is Scarlet Witch’s unexpected appearance. However, Elizabeth Olsen doesn’t appear on screen, as Wanda Maximoff’s body only appears face-down at a crime scene. As detective Agnes, Agatha Harkness investigates the death of this mysterious woman, but soon realizes that the victim never existed in the first place, and the image of a dead readheaded woman with black fingertips turns out to be the result of the real Scarlet Witch’s death being revealed to Agatha Harkness.


Within Agatha Harkness’ crime-themed illusion, the lead to the dead woman’s murder is a book titled “Dialogue And Rhetoric: Known History of Learning & Debate”, referenced by a library receipt found next to the woman’s corpse at the crime scene. Every copy of this book seems to have been eliminated, as even its section at the library was burned just to destroy a single copy. This book, of course, is a representation of the Darkhold, and its initials spell the name of the cursed object.

5 Agatha Harkness Had A Son Named Nicholas Scratch

Agatha Harkness’ Evil Sorcerer Son From The Comics Exists In The MCU


Still within Wanda Maximoff’s illusion, Agatha Harkness walks upstairs in her house and peeks into a room, which is seemingly owned by a child. Agatha’s mystery room contains several objects that suggest the identity of the absent boy: Nicholas Scratch. For instance, there’s a set of marbles, various crayon drawings signed with the name “Nicky”, a music trophy, and a First Place award for “Best Vocals – Children’s Concert Choir”, given to Nicholas Scratch, as well as a rabbit figure. Agatha’s sad expression implies that this child is a son she hasn’t seen in a long time.

The fact that Agatha kept a rabbit named Señor Scratchy in
WandaVision
suggests a connection between her pet and the absent Nicholas Scratch in her empty room

In the comics, Nicholas Scratch is Agatha Harkness’ evil son. Scratch becomes the leader of New Salem and turns its residents against Agatha when she departs, assembling the Salem Seven to defeat his own mother. Nicholas Scratch also makes deals with Mephisto and Dormammu, and fights A-list Marvel heroes such as Scarlet Witch, Vision, the Fantastic Four, and Doctor Strange. The fact that Agatha kept a rabbit named Señor Scratchy in WandaVision suggests a connection between her pet and the absent Nicholas Scratch in her empty room.


4 Agatha Has A History With Aubrey Plaza’s Character

Agatha Harkness May Have Had A Romantic Relationship With Fellow Witch Rio Vidal In The Past

As Detective Agnes, Agatha Harkness tries to leave her hatred for Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal behind and gradually becomes keen on her company. Rio asks Agatha the reason for her hatred, and Agatha realizes that she doesn’t know where it comes from. After Agatha regains her memories, she remembers her history with Rio Vidal, who’s revealed to be another powerful witch. Rio attacks Agatha and threatens to kill her, but Agatha convinces Rio to spare her life and return when Agatha is powerful enough to have a fair rematch.

Rio Vidal is referred to as a Green Witch, whereas Agatha is a Purple Witch and Wanda Maximoff is
the
Scarlet Witch.


Agatha All Along‘s first two episodes don’t reveal the true nature of Agatha Harkness and Rio Vidal’s past, but they suggest that the two witches have a long history together. When Agatha tells Rio that she doesn’t have a heart, Rio responds with “Yes. I do. It’s black, and it beats for you”. Agatha and Rio’s back-and-forth implies a romantic past between them, and Agatha’s hesitation to contact Rio after Lilia Calderu predicts that she will do it anyway also supports a romantic connection.

3 Agatha Is Unable To Learn Anything About Joe Locke’s “Teen” MCU Character

Agatha Harkness’ Mysterious Teen Partner Is Magically Forced To Remain Unidentified


Joe Locke’s unnamed character impresses Agatha Harkness with his knowledge of obscure magic and his eagerness to venture down the Witches’ Road. Although Agatha isn’t too interested in the teenager outside her illusion at first, her inability to hear his name and his background intrigues her. Joe Locke’s Teen is automatically “muted” when he says his name, as his mouth seems to be sewn shut temporarily. And when he talks about his past, his mouth doesn’t make any sound.

Teen mentions that he wants
“to blast, to shield, to levitate.”
These are all abilities Billy Kaplan a.k.a. Wiccan possesses in the comics.

Curiously, though, the teenager doesn’t realize that Agatha can’t hear his name or his backstory, which suggests that whatever magic spell is hiding his identity only affects him from Agatha Harkness’ perspective. Joe Locke’s mystery character has been heavily theorized to be Wanda Maximoff’s son Billy Maximoff, who reincarnates in the body of Billy Kaplan and develops mystical powers similar to those of his original mother. In Agatha All Along‘s premiere episodes, Joe Locke’s Teen expresses his keen interest in magic.


2 The Salem Seven Have Been Following Agatha All Along

Rio Vidal Sent The Shapeshifting Salem Seven To Follow Agatha Harkness And Her Teen Sidekick

During Agatha All Along‘s second premiere episode, Agatha Harkness feels uneasy when she sees certain animals, such as a crow, a coyote, and a rat. When Agatha performs a ritual with her coven to create a portal to the Witches’ Road, a group of hooded figures appear in the street. The mysterious figures approach the house and Teen runs to the basement to inform Agatha, but Agatha and her coven manage to enter the Witches Road’s dimension before the mysterious group arrives. The group of hooded characters are the Salem Seven, who are able to transform into animals.


MCU Salem’s Seven Actor

Animal Form

Bethany Curry

Crow

Britta Grant

Rat

Chau Naumova

Coyote

Athena Perample

Fox

Okwui Okpokwasili

Cicada

Marina Mazepa

Snake

Aicia Vela-Bailey

Owl

In the comics, the Salem Seven are Agatha Harkness’ grandchildren, fathered by Agatha’s son Nicholas Scratch. Marvel Comics’ original Salem Seven are composed of Gazelle, Thornn, Brutacus, Vertigo, Vakume, Reptilla, and Hydron — all of whom can transform into animal-like demonic entities with special abilities. Instead of demons, the MCU’s version of the Salem Seven are witches who can transform into actual animals.


1 The Witches’ Road Can Grant Magical Power To Anybody That Fully Crosses It

A Coven And A Magical Ritual Are Necessary To Access The Legendary And Extremely Dangeous Witches’ Road

Both Teen and Agatha Harkness are interested in completing a trek down the legendary Witches’ Road, as reaching the end of the Road will provide them with great magical power. To access the Witches’ Road, it’s necessary to walk barefoot and have a coven of actual witches, regardless of how powerful they are. To begin her quest, Agatha has to convince three witches to accompany her by manipulating them with the personal flaws and mistakes they can solve if they reach the end of the Witches’ Road. After performing a ritual, Agatha’s coven is able to enter the Road’s dimension in Agatha All Along episode 2’s ending scene.

Wanda Maximoff meets her biological mother in the Witches’ Road in the source material.


In Marvel Comics, the Witches’ Road is a mystical dimension located outside the space-time continuum. It houses the Goddess of Witchcraft and Chaos, who provide magic users like Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff with their abilities. Whereas Wanda was the one who walked down the Road accompanied by Agatha’s disembodied spirit in the comics, it’s Agatha who must reach the Road’s end in the MCU’s Agatha All Along. Like comic-book Wanda, the MCU’s Agatha will certainly face several obstacles and entities that will make her journey increasingly difficult.


Upcoming MCU Movies

Back to top button