Jac Schaeffer’s Agatha All Along: The Series That Brings Back the Lost Magic to the MCU

No one expected WandaVision to deliver so much. We were coming off the back of Avengers: Endgame, the end of an era of Marvel Studios’ dominance in blockbuster cinema. What would come next? A thousand announcements and delays due to the pandemic did not help in keeping hopes up. But it was clear that Marvel needed to make a strong statement and prove they could adapt to television without losing momentum.

I can’t think of a better way for them to do that than by paying homage to one of TV’s most iconic genres: the sitcom. All of this with a clear influence from the surrealism of Twin Peaks. WandaVision was an event on par with what the studio had been doing in theaters…

No one expected such a bold gamble, and yet it paid off. So much so that they didn’t take long to announce a spin-off for the show’s main antagonist: Agatha Harkness, played by the ever-charismatic and outstanding Kathryn Hahn.

The context in which Agatha: All Along has arrived is entirely different. Series and, especially, movies have had inconsistent results, and what once felt special now seems to have become something more routine due to market saturation.

But, as with Deadpool and Wolverine, the series starring Agatha was set to be something worth its space — not just another release. Kevin Feige trusted Jac Schaeffer once again for the development of the series thanks to her successful work on scripts for the studio. However, Matt Shakman was busy with other projects and unable to return.

That hasn’t meant the series has suffered in any way. It has an idiosyncrasy that, while in continuity with what characterized WandaVision, couldn’t be more different in its approach.

The series starts, as did the one featuring the Scarlet Witch, with a parody of a TV genre: in this case, the Nordic thriller. The first episode shows Agatha awakening from Wanda’s spell, though this doesn’t fully represent the essence of the show. Things really kick off in the second episode: a set of rules is established, and the coven that accompanies the protagonists (Agatha and Billy) is introduced. In the third episode, the concept of the series truly takes root: the witches must reach the end of the path and overcome a series of trials to achieve their deepest desires.

Following a trial-per-episode structure, each challenge centers on uncovering aspects of each character’s past. This establishes a solid rhythm, although with some unevenness. Some episodes feature conflicts that feel less intense, heavily relying on flashbacks. To a large extent, the series is sustained by the surprises that await around every corner and by its excellent cast, who fill the screen and manage to humanize even the strangest events.

Then, the series reaches episode seven, centered on Lilia Calderu, and that’s when it truly rises a thousand levels in one go. This effective but light entertainment turns into a formal and lyrical experiment of the highest caliber. This episode plays with the character’s constant confusion to try things Marvel has never done before, with a truly tragic backdrop. It all serves to tug at the heartstrings with a poignant message about senile dementia. It’s sad, deeply moving, and has as much subtext as the best television has to offer. That episode is, simply put, masterful.

And from there, we reach the climax, where the mysteries of the series are revealed. Although the sharpest viewers may already know the dazzling twist the series has in store, it must be said that it has been well set up in a way that’s not overly explicit.

However, in terms of direction, it could be said that it doesn’t quite live up to the other aspects. Except for episode seven, the series is fairly visually flat. Everything feels overly theatrical (though, on second thought, this could be intentional…) and doesn’t quite work. There isn’t a shot that truly shines or sticks in your memory; it’s rather conventional. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting the evident care given to crafting a hand-made look with practical effects. While that’s just one way to go, it feels refreshingly different within the Marvel space.

That Kathryn Hahn would shine was to be expected; she never seems to lower her standards. The same can be said for Aubrey Plaza, who always takes risks in her choice of roles. Her Rio Vidal and the twist her character undergoes show she’s an actress ready to face any challenge with great poise. John Locke is very convincing as Billy and leaves you wanting more… But without a doubt, Patti LuPone delivers the most memorable and dramatic performance of the entire series.

Agatha All Along is one of those projects that manages to reignite waning interest in Marvel Studios. It has everything you could hope for: charisma galore, an outstanding story told with vigor, captivating characters, and a world you want to stay in. An unexpected hit.

Let us all sing The Witches’ Path Ballad and see where the dangerous road leads us, where Death awaits patiently at the end.