Say what you will about the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows that have been produced for Disney+ since 2021: the flagship series, Wandavisionproved conclusively that Kathryn Hahn is magic. Sneaked in over the course of the season as the evil witch Agatha Harkness, the beloved character actress put on an incredible display of her talents, making the arrival of the spin-off series Agatha since always Very welcome, even during what could charitably be called the MCU's “rebuilding season.”
For those who feel exhausted from keeping up with all the different Marvel plots out there, Agatha since alwaysBased on the first four episodes provided for review, it largely exists as a standalone adventure. (That is, as long as your memory of Wandavision Things begin with Agatha still trapped under the Scarlet Witch's spell; however, once she escapes, she remains tremendously weak and the only way she knows to regain her former abilities is to walk the treacherous Witch's Path.
Taking on the Witch's Path—a series of dangerous magical trials, the completion of which will grant survivors what they most desire—isn't the kind of thing you do alone. So to help her progress more smoothly, Agatha amasses a new cast of witchy acquaintances: Patti LuPone plays a fortune teller, Sasheer Zamata is “the potions guy,” Ali Ahn does blood magic, and Debra Jo Rupp reprises her role as Wandavision like a good neighbor with a green thumb.
Providing a symbolic male presence is the mysterious unnamed Teen (Stop the heart the beloved Joe Locke, with a rather impressive American accent), while Aubrey Plaza adds an element of chaos as Rio, a powerful and vengeful witch who knows more about Agatha's recent imprisonment (and Agatha's past) than she is letting on.
This is as far as this writer can go in this review without talking about parodies. Wandavision It was the first series produced for Disney+ that would tie directly into the broader MCU narrative, but the most exciting aspect of the show was its wild, genre-bending approach as protagonist Wanda dealt with her grief over losing her lover by integrating herself (as well as the citizens of the small town of Westview) into the sitcom's storyline.
Agatha since always It keeps alive the idea of satirizing other television shows, starting with what was hinted at in the trailers: a Easttown Mare An homage that does a good job of poking fun at the grim, self-centered nature of prestige police dramas. (There's even a fake credits sequence, for a few laughs.)
He Mare The sequence is not the last time creator Jac Schaeffer (who also directed Wandavision) incorporates riffs from other genres as part of the storytelling; the magical forces in this specific subdivision of the MCU are apparently huge TV nerds, is the best explanation available at the moment. And without a clear understanding of why so many of the spells here focus on niche TV subgenres, there’s a messiness to the parodies that appear in the first four episodes, a lack of cohesion as to what’s being lampooned and why.
Maybe things will make sense by the end of the season, but right now it just seems like satire for satire's sake, which isn't all that compelling. (To be fair, the explanation for why Wandavision('s “locations” included classic sitcoms and more modern comedies that appeared in a late-season episode; a similar surprise could be in store here.)
Although there is still much to be revealed about it, Agatha since always The episodes could also be a batch tighter, especially the first one: While the Mare At first things are very funny, but once the point is made, things drag on unnecessarily until the next revelation.
At least the show knows how to use Plaza effectively: The only other project that's come close to harnessing her specific brand of unconventional energy is the FX series. Legion. (That's also perhaps the closest she's come to playing a real witch so far, despite claims she made Parks and Recreation(April Ludgate-Dwyer) Clearly, Rio is key to the show's central mystery, but in the meantime she's a lot of fun… when she's not legitimately terrifying.
The other members of the supporting cast all have their moments to shine (although there just aren't… It is not enough (Patti LuPone singing, please someone alert the authorities to this crime.) Plus, the plot makes some bold choices; this isn't a show that's afraid to have a body count. This also fits in nicely with the overall creepy vibes: while it occasionally feels a bit Hot Topic-esque rather than authentically gothic, the timing of this show is perfectThe two episodes will premiere on Wednesday, September 18; the remainder of the season will be released weekly through October 30, with a two-part finale just in time for Halloween.
No matter the time of year, to be clear, it’s a joy to see Kathryn Hahn unleashed on a screen of any size. And Agatha is a role that allows her to explore the full range of her abilities, a bold, unapologetic character who is able to both intimidate and generate sympathy to a fascinating degree. The show’s execution could be stronger, but there’s a lot of power — and even joy — in watching Agatha burst into the world, like the witch that she is.
The first two episodes of Agatha since always are now streaming on Disney+.
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