Say no matter you need concerning the Marvel Cinematic Universe reveals which have been produced for Disney+ since 2021: The flagship sequence, WandaVision, proved conclusively that Kathryn Hahn is magic. Sneakily launched over the course of the season as dastardly witch Agatha Harkness, the beloved character actress obtained an unbelievable showcase for her abilities — thus making the arrival of spinoff sequence Agatha All Alongside most welcome, even throughout what may charitably be known as the MCU’s “rebuilding season.”
For these feeling exhausted by maintaining with all of the completely different Marvel plot threads on the market, Agatha All Alongside, primarily based on the primary 4 episodes offered for assessment, exists very a lot as a stand-alone journey. (That’s, offered your reminiscence of WandaVision isn’t too fuzzy.) Issues start with Agatha nonetheless trapped within the Scarlet Witch’s spell — as soon as she escapes, although, she’s nonetheless wildly underpowered, and the one means she is aware of to reclaim her former talents is to stroll the treacherous Witches’ Highway.
Taking over the Witches’ Highway — a treacherous sequence of magical assessments, the completion of which can grant the survivors what they most need — isn’t the kind of factor you do by yourself. So, to assist her ease on down the street, Agatha accumulates a brand new coven of acquaintances with witchy presents: Patti LuPone performs a fortune teller, Sasheer Zamata is “the potions man,” Ali Ahn does blood magic, and Debra Jo Rupp reprises her position from WandaVision as a pleasant neighbor with a little bit of a inexperienced thumb.
Offering a token male presence is the mysterious unnamed Teen (Heartstopper sweetheart Joe Locke, with a reasonably rattling spectacular American accent), whereas including a component of chaos is Aubrey Plaza as Rio, a robust, vengeful witch who is aware of extra about Agatha’s latest imprisonment (and Agatha’s previous) than she’s telling.
That’s about so far as this author can get into this assessment with out speaking concerning the parodies. WandaVision was the primary sequence produced for Disney+ that will tie immediately into the larger MCU narrative, however probably the most thrilling side of the present was its wild genre-bending method, because the titular Wanda coped together with her grief over dropping her lover by embedding herself (in addition to the residents of small-town Westview) into the historical past of TV sitcoms.
Agatha All Alongside retains the thought of satirizing different tv reveals alive, kicking off with what was teased in trailers — a Mare of Easttown homage that does a pleasant job of poking enjoyable on the gloomy, self-important nature of status crime dramas. (There’s even a pretend credit sequence, for true shits and giggles.)
The Mare sequence isn’t the final time creator Jac Schaeffer (who additionally headed up WandaVision) incorporates riffs on different genres as a part of the storytelling; the magical forces on this particular subdivision of the MCU are apparently large TV nerds, is the very best rationalization obtainable right now. And with out a clear understanding of why so lots of the spells listed here are targeted round area of interest TV subgenres, there’s a messiness to the parodies featured within the first 4 episodes, a scarcity of cohesion as to what’s being mocked and why.
Perhaps issues will make sense by the top of the season, however right now it simply seems like satire for satire’s sake, which isn’t that compelling. (In equity, the reason for why WandaVision‘s “areas” included each traditional sitcoms and extra modern-day comedies did are available in a late-season episode; an analogous shock could be in retailer right here.)
Even when there’s extra to be revealed on that rating, Agatha All Alongside episodes might additionally stand to be a lot tighter, particularly the primary one: Whereas the Mare stuff could be very humorous at first, as soon as the purpose is evident, issues drag on unnecessarily lengthy earlier than the subsequent reveal.
A minimum of the present is aware of the best way to use Plaza successfully — the one different challenge that’s come near harnessing her very particular form of off-kilter vitality as nicely is the FX sequence Legion. (That’s additionally perhaps the closest she’s ever come to taking part in an precise witch prior to now — regardless of any claims that had been made by Parks and Recreation‘s April Ludgate-Dwyer.) Rio’s clearly key to the core thriller of the present, however within the meantime she’s numerous enjoyable… When she’s not being legitimately terrifying.
The opposite supporting solid members get their moments to shine (although there may be merely not sufficient of Patti LuPone singing, somebody please alert the authorities of this legal offense). Plus, the plotting makes some daring decisions; this isn’t a present afraid of getting a physique depend. This additionally suits properly with the general spooky vibes — whereas often feeling a little bit Sizzling Subject versus authentically gothic, the timing of this present is good. Two episodes premiere Wednesday, Sept. 18th; the remainder of the season rolls out weekly till Oct. thirtieth, with a two-part finale simply in time for Halloween.
It doesn’t matter what time of yr it’s, to be clear, it’s a pleasure to see Kathryn Hahn unleashed on a display of any dimension. And Agatha is a task that permits her to discover the total vary of her talents, a daring, unapologetic character who’s able to intimidation and sympathy to a captivating diploma. The present’s execution could possibly be stronger. However there’s numerous energy — and even pleasure — to be present in watching Agatha tear into the world, just like the witch she is.
The primary two episodes of Agatha All Alongside are streaming now on Disney+.
