In just a few short days, on September 18, 2024, the first two episodes of Agatha All Along will debut on Disney+. The new series centers on Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn), the antagonist of 2021’s WandaVision. But before the new show arrives, you may need to brush up on some of the previous and (likely) applicable Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity. If that’s the case, here’s everything to remember for Agatha All Along.
WandaVision
Agatha Harkness made her debut in WandaVision. But at first, she appeared under the guise of Agnes, the nosey neighbor. This was to infiltrate the Hex cast around Westview, New Jersey by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). Recognizing the Hex for what it was, a powerful magical spell, Harkness sought to determine the nature and limitations of Maximoff’s power.
In order to discern the depths of power on display, Harkness pretended to be one of the Maxmioffs’ neighbors. In the first few episodes, she appeared to be an innocent woman caught up in Maximoff’s sitcom, just like everyone else in Westview, including Sharon Davis (Debra Jo Rupp) as “Mrs. Hart.” But utilizing the “nosey neighbor” sitcom archetype, Harkness was able to enter Wanda’s home and directly interview her on several occasions.
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However, Harkness clearly had a higher level of agency and perception about the nature of the Hex than anyone else in Westview. In “A Very Special Episode,” she intentionally “flubbed a line” in front of Maximoff and Vision (Paul Bettany), to see how they would react.
Recognizing Vision as the late Avenger, Harkness knew something to do with death and resurrection was afoot. So later in the episode, she killed Sparky the dog, presumably to see if Maximoff would resurrect him, too. Next, Harkness commissioned Westview resident Ralph Bohner (Evan Peters) to play a resurrected version of Maximoff’s late brother Pietro.
All-New Halloween Spooktacular!
This thread of inquiry continued in “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!” Bohner continues to pump Maximoff for information regarding her powers while posing as Pietro. However, whatever magic Harkness used to slide Bohner into the role of Pietro had its limits when faced with Wanda’s Hex. In a flashback to Wanda and Pietro’s childhood, they get a red herring while trick-or-treating, teasing “Fietro’s” true nature.
And later in that episode, Harkness drove her station wagon to the edge of town, where she waited for Vision to pass by. When Vision arrived, she identified him as the late Avenger, asking if they were all dead (since he was). This spurned Vision to leave the Hex, nearly destroying him. And by extension, it caused Maximoff to extend the boundaries of her spell to the breaking point. Amusingly, in this episode, Harkness chose a stereotypical witch costume for Halloween.
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The commercial break in “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!” also seems to have been affected by Agatha. Unlike the other 5 commercial breaks, which featured actors Ithamar Enriquez and Victoria Blade, this commercial was animated. It features a Great White Shark on a purple surfboard, the color associated with Harkness and her magic. In the commercial, the shark urges a child wearing red (Maximoff’s color) to access “YoMagic” yogurt, to survive. But in the advert, the child can’t open the “YoMagic” lid and expires.
In the next episode, “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” Harkness offers to watch Maximoff’s twin children, Tommy Maximoff (Jett Klyne) and Billy Maximoff (Julian Hilliard). Unlike others in the Hex, who were Westview residents “recast” as sitcom characters, Maximoff’s Chaos Magic manifests Tommy and Billy from nothing. While Tommy demonstrates powers similar to Quicksilver, Billy possesses magical powers.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
In the House of Harkness in “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” Billy tells Harkness that he likes her. This is because, unlike the other Westview residents, Harkness has a “quiet” mind. Most likely this indicates that Harkness has control not just over her sitcom role, but over any thoughts she might be psychically broadcasting, as well. Plus, it underscores the possibility that Billy will become a superhero himself. In fact, he even dressed as his Marvel Comics variant superhero identity, Wiccan, in “All-New Halloween Spooktacular!”
At the conclusion of “Breaking the Fourth Wall,” Maximoff enters the home looking for Billy and Tommy. Harkness directs her to the basement, which is much larger than you’d expect for a suburban New Jersey home and may have been magically enhanced. At this point, Harkness reveals her true identity to Maximoff, as well as the high level of involvement she’s had in manipulating the Hex towards her own ends. This is through the show-stopping “theme” song, “Agatha All Along,” which promptly went viral.
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The penultimate episode, “Previously On,” opens with a significant flashback into the history of Harkness. In Salem, Massachusetts in 1693, Agatha’s mother Evanora Harkness (Kate Forbes) and the rest of their coven turned against Agatha. Agatha was accused of “stealing knowledge above her place and practicing the darkest of magic.” While Agatha denied the charges and promised she could be “good,” Evanora was unsympathetic. However, when the coven attempted to execute Agatha, she turned their spell against them and escaped.
Throughout the remainder of “Previously On,” Harkness serves as a guide for Maximoff’s flashbacks. Through these flashbacks, this history of Maximoff’s trauma and magic are both traced. This helps Maximoff better understand herself and the nature of her abilities.
The Series Finale
In “The Series Finale,” Agatha Harkness shared her true plans. As revealed by Harkness, the Scarlet Witch and her mastery of Chaos Magic had been foretold by an entire chapter in the Darkhold. That’s the book of the damned! The Darkhold says, “The Scarlet Witch is not born, but forged.” Furthermore, neither a coven nor incantation is necessary for her to wield her powers. The Darkhold states in no uncertain terms that the Scarlet Witch’s powers exceed those of the Sorcerer Supreme. And ultimately, she is destined to destroy the world.
Agatha Harkness wishes to possess the power of the Scarlet Witch for herself. And as Harkness observes, Maximoff has never faced another witch before. As the battle continues, Harkness nearly overtakes Maximoff. However, in “Previously On,” Harkness imparted one of the basic tenets of spellcasting to Maximoff. This was that, in a given space, only the witch who cast the runes can use her power. Using this knowledge, the Scarlet Witch is able to thwart Harkness and defeat her.
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However, while the Scarlet Witch was successful in the battle, she had tied her family to the Hex. In order to free the innocent people of Westview from their excruciating sitcom-themed torture, the Scarlet Witch had to say goodbye to Tommy, Billy and the resurrected Vision.
But while most of Westview was freed from the spell, the Scarlet Witch cast a new spell on Harkness. At the conclusion of “The Series Finale,” the Scarlet Witch seems to trap Harkness in her “Agnes” persona.
Where’s Wanda?
Outside of the trailers for Agatha All Along, “The Series Finale” is the last time we’ve seen Harkness in MCU continuity. However, the trailer for Agatha All Along suggests the spell has either evolved or warped in the meantime. Judging by what we’ve seen, Harkness isn’t trapped in a sitcom anymore. Now she’s playing investigator in a True Detective-type reality.
Meanwhile, the Scarlet Witch left Westview at the conclusion of “The Series Finale.” In the post-credits scene, she can be seen studying the Darkhold in a secluded mountain cabin. But as readers of Marvel Comics will be aware, the Darkhold is a grimoire with a corrosive twist. By the time the Scarlet Witch appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she no longer resembled the put-back-together head witch in charge she was at the conclusion of WandaVision.
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Early on in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) seeks assistance from the Scarlet Witch. But it is revealed that the Scarlet Witch has become obsessed with locating multiversal variants of Billy and Tommy. To achieve this goal, she is even willing to kill America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) as well as variants of Strange. This is because Chavez possesses the ability to traverse the multiverse, a power the Scarlet Witch needs to achieve her goal.
Eventually, the Scarlet Witch captured Chavez and brought her to the castle that originated the Darkhold. But before the Scarlet Witch could extract Chavez’s powers, Strange arrived on the scene. He encourages Chavez to trust in her abilities and open a portal to the timeline where the the variants of the Scarlet Witch’s children reside. This forces the Scarlet Witch to confront the reality of her actions.
Agatha All Along
The Scarlet Witch subsequently gives up on her plan to extract Chavez’s powers, releasing her and surrendering the battle to Strange. Meanwhile, Billy and Tommy are left to be raised by their mother, the variant of Maximoff from their home universe. Furthermore, the Scarlet Witch vows never to allow anyone else to be “tempted” by the Darkhold. To accomplish this, she uses her powers to pull down the castle around her. This destroys every copy of the Darkhold in the multiverse. Theoretically, the Scarlet Witch died in the process of destroying the castle. But… I mean, we’ve all read a Marvel comic book (or online summary) before, right? There’s no way the Scarlet Witch is gone for good.
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What role might the Scarlet Witch play in Agatha All Along? Currently, Olsen’s involvement has not been confirmed. But, the aforementioned trailer includes at least Maximoff’s signature. Furthermore, Joe Locke plays a significant character in Agatha All Along who has so far only been identified as “Teen.” Could this be Billy Kaplan, the reincarnated version of Maximoff’s son? And if he is… is it possible the Scarlet Witch might still have a role to play in Harkness’s unfolding story?
The first two episodes of Agatha All Along debut on September 18, 2024. Meanwhile, WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness are currently available for streaming on Disney+.
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