As a long-time Marvel Comics enthusiast and avid fan of the darker, mystical realms of the universe, I can’t help but be intrigued by the enigmatic character that has been subtly introduced in Agatha All Along – the mysterious Teen. With my years of experience dissecting Marvel lore, I believe there are strong hints pointing towards this character being none other than Blackheart or even Wiccan, son of the Scarlet Witch.
As a thrilled fan, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance to share my excitement over the premiere of “Agatha All Along” on Disney+, perfectly timed for the chilling season of September 18, 2024. This captivating spin-off from the beloved “WandaVision” series delves deeper into the enigmatic character of Agatha Harkness (masterfully portrayed by Kathryn Hahn). The story unfolds as she embarks on a journey with a coven of witches and an intriguing teen, aiming to reclaim her powers along the Witches’ Road. This spellbinding addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe graces our screens right in the heart of Phase 5, promising another layer of magic and mystery within this expansive universe.
Similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions, the series “Agatha All Along” is rich with Easter eggs and nods to Marvel’s extended universe. It delves into previous MCU projects and even unearths obscure references from Marvel Comics. Moreover, it exhibits a keen fascination with witch-themed elements, ranging from historical references to the Salem Witch Trials to popular cultural figures associated with witches. The first two episodes alone are filled with such references, which serve to enhance the series and perhaps foreshadow significant developments in future installments.
10 Prestige TV References
The initial episode of “Agatha All Along” mirrors the atmosphere of a high-end crime thriller. This is a nod to how “WandaVision” portrayed Wanda’s enchantment, which was reminiscent of classic TV formats, specifically comedic sitcoms. However, unlike “WandaVision,” “Agatha All Along” takes inspiration from crime dramas such as “Mare of Easttown” and “True Detective.
In the new series, “Agatha: House of Harkness,” there are strong echoes of “The Mare of Easttown.” Similar to how Kate Winslet’s character was tasked with investigating a corpse found near a creek in the early episodes of “Easttown,” Agatha is given a similar assignment, this time identifying the deceased as an unnamed Wanda Maximoff, also known as The Scarlet Witch. Furthermore, Elizabeth Olsen’s costume in the opening episode mirrors the attire worn by Kate Winslet in “The Mare of Easttown.
The title sequence for this episode labels the show as “Agatha from Westview “, a witty spin on “Mare from Easttown “. Unlike “Mare from Easttown “, which lacks an opening credit sequence, “Agatha All Along” mimics the start of “True Detective“. Both shows share similarities, with “Agatha All Along” drawing heavily on the eerie aesthetic that becomes prominent later in the show. In the credits, it mentions that the series is “Inspired by the Danish series The Visible Hand“, referencing the popular 2011 crime drama “The Killing“, which was itself based on the Danish series “Forbrydelsen “, meaning “The Crime.
9 Catching Up With Westview Citizens After WandaVision
The introductory sequence of Agatha from Westview features the “cast” being the inhabitants of Westview, with many characters from WandaVision returning to play dual roles – portraying both their characters in Agatha’s illusion and their actual counterparts. Notably, Debra Jo Rupp plays Sharon Davis / “Mrs. Hart,” who is a significant character in Agatha All Along and one of Agatha’s final recruits for her coven.
It is revealed in both ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Agatha All Along’ that the character Todd Davis, portrayed by Fred Melamed, had tragically passed away before the latter series.
As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Emma Caulfield plays both Sarah Proctor (Dottie Jones) and Harold Proctor (Phil Jones), the latter being her on-screen husband, in Westview. Dottie works as the town librarian, while Harold is the chief of police. Interestingly, their daughter – who was previously a character in WandaVision – makes a significant appearance in this series. David Payton returns to his role as John Collins (Herb Feltman), acting as Agatha’s real-life neighbor and her fictional counterpart as a fellow detective in the show.
In addition, Asif Ali reappears as Abilash Tandon, or “Norm Gentilucci” this round, portraying a pawnshop clerk. Meanwhile, Amos Glick is back as “Dennis Webber,” delivering pizza but also taking on the enigmatic role of someone who informs Agatha that the book she seeks, “The Darkhold,” has presumably been destroyed, which might hint at its destruction by Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
8 The Credits Are Filled With Witch References
In contrast to the first two episodes of “Agatha All Along“, there are no post-credits scenes. However, the credits themselves are brimming with Easter Eggs and nods to iconic witches in pop culture, interspersed with genuine facts about witch trials. Since it’s a series on Disney+, the end credits have the added charm of featuring characters from two other Disney properties: The Witch from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” makes an appearance, as does Lisa Simpson in her Halloween costume as a witch, which she wore in an episode of “The Simpsons“.
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I must say that among the treasure trove of footage, there’s a gem from “The Craft” (1996), a movie about a clique of teenagers dabbling in the art of witchcraft. Right at the beginning, an animated Agatha Harkness, reminiscent of the opening scene from the 60’s sitcom “Bewitched,” makes an appearance. Interestingly, the second episode of “WandaVision” mirrored this style, and the entire episode was modeled after that very show.
Among all elements, the intriguing use of The Wizard of Oz references in the end credits stands out. There’s even a snapshot from the novels depicting Dorothy talking to the Cowardly Lion, accompanied by a plaything of the Wicked Witch of the West.
In the preview for “Agatha All Along”, it’s revealed that an upcoming episode will depict Agatha Harkness transforming into the Witch of the West with emerald skin and a tall pointed hat, reminiscent of the iconic witch character from “The Wizard of Oz”. Notably, this series is set to air only a few months before the premiere of “Wicked”, the stage adaptation of the beloved musical, on the big screen.
Disney had earlier brought to life the prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” titled “Oz: The Great and Powerful” in 2013. This film was helmed by Sam Raimi, who is also known for directing “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” This movie played a significant role in setting off the events depicted in “Agatha All Along,” within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU has often paid tribute to “The Wizard of Oz” and “Agatha All Along” continues this tradition.
7 Scarlet Witch and the Witches’ Road
Although Agatha Harkness hasn’t headlined any extended comic series, the show doesn’t shy away from incorporating elements from Marvel Comics history. It seems to be heavily influenced by two significant comics: James Robinson’s “Scarlet Witch” series from 2015 to 2017, as well as the 2004 comics “Witches,” written by Bronwyn Carlton and Brian Walsh, with art by Mike Deodato and Will Conrad.
In the second episode, the idea of “The Witches’ Path,” which seems to be the main focus of the series, is where Agatha and her coven are aiming to reach. This location, initially introduced by Scarlet Witch in the comics, plays a significant role as it becomes the central setting in this show. Unlike her comic book role as a spiritual guide for Wanda Maximoff, here Agatha Harkness assumes the leading position.
In Agatha All Along, the focus was on investigating a collective of magical practitioners within the Marvel Universe, specifically delving into a band of female witches. The series aimed to capitalize on the popularity of TV shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed, and it used these two distinct comics, initially published at separate times and centered around dissimilar characters, as a foundation to weave its own distinctive narrative.
6 Coven of Chaos
In episode two, Agatha gathers a band of witches to establish her coven and venture along the Witches’ Path. These witches are drawn from various chapters in Marvel Comics’ expansive history, blending fresh characters with those conceived during Marvel’s supernatural surge in the 1970s. Similar to The Avengers or the Guardians of the Galaxy, these individuals hail from diverse realms within the Marvel universe, each with their own compelling backstories that will need to coalesce for a stronger alliance. They consist of:
- Lilia Calderu (Patti LaPone)-Created by Steve Englehart, Mike Friedrich, and Frank Brunner and debuted in Marvel Premiere #12 in August 1973. In the comics, she was an ancestor of Baron Mordo and possessed the Book of Cagliostro, both of which appeared in Doctor Strange. The MCU version of Lilia Calderru is a witch who specializes in divination.
- Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata)-Created by Steve Gerber and Rich Buckler and debuted in Adventure into Fear #11 in December 1972. In the comics, Jennifer Kale is the cousin of the Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze, and she is also a frequent ally of Man-Thing. She also has been a member of The Midnight Suns and was in the original Witches comics. The MCU version is a potions expert who also had her magic taken from her.
- Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn)-Created by James Robinson and Mike Perkins, she debuted in Doctor Strange: Last Days of Magic in April 2016. In the comics, her mother was a Chinese mystic guardian, and her father was a cop. The MCU version changes her mom into a famous singer and witch.
5 Iconic Dates on the Library Card
When Agatha finds the library card with various dates scribbled on it, one of them stands out: October 23, marked by W. Maximoff. This could imply that Wanda Maximoff is involved, and since the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially places the events of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” in fall 2025, this date might suggest that the movie occurred in October of that year. The other date, January 28th, appears to be associated with Agatha Harkness.
Other key dates include
- December 28th was the birthday of Stan Lee, co-creator of Agatha Harkness.
- June 2nd is significant for two reasons. First, it is the birthday of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Yet more interestingly, it is also the court date of Bridget Bishop, the first woman tried and convicted of witchcraft in Salem.
- August 28th is the birthday of Jack Kirby, the other co-creator of Agatha Harkness.
- February 16th is the birthday of Scarlet Witch actress Elizabeth Olsen.
4 Agatha’s Son, Nicolas Scratch, Is Hiding in Plain Sight
In the first episode, disguised as Agnes but really under the Scarlet Witch’s spell, Agatha gazes into an empty kids’ room marked with Nicolas Scratch. This scene mimics a high-end TV show where a character has lost a child, suggesting it could be more than just a nod to such emotional plots in prestige dramas. In the second episode, there’s a hint that “Teen” might have been another potential sacrifice for Agatha, implying that this tragic storyline might not only be a reference but also part of Agatha Harkness’ actual history, as she seems to be missing her son now.
In comic books, Nicolas Scratch is the son of Agatha Harkness. This character was brought to life by writer Len Wein and artist George Pérez. He first appeared in issue #185 of Fantastic Four back in August 1977. In the storyline, he often serves as a villain and poses a threat not only to Agatha Harkness but also to The Fantastic Four.
It’s been speculated that the pet rabbit in WandaVision, Señor Scratchy, could be a nod to Agatha’s son, Nicolas Scratch. However, it’s also possible that the rabbit is actually Agatha’s son transformed into a rabbit by some sort of curse. This theory gains credence because the upcoming characters, The Salem Seven, have the ability to transform into animals and seem to be connected with Nicolas Scratch. This suggests that he may be the true villain in disguise, much like Agatha was hidden within WandaVision.
3 Salem Seven
In the first episode, the characters known as the Salem Seven are subjected to ridicule and then appear again in the second. In the comic books, these seven children are offspring of Nicholas Scratch, which makes them the great-grandchildren of Agatha Harkness. Although their role in the series has yet to be clarified, it seems that they are a coven of witches with a focus on targeting Agatha Harkness. Given their name, there may be ties to the Salem coven that Agatha once eliminated, as hinted at in WandaVision.
In the comic-book versions, they possess the power to metamorphose into extraordinary animals endowed with special abilities. This trait seems to have been preserved in the live-action series as well. Among the seven members, six are identified by animal names such as “Snake” (Marina Mazepa), “Crow” (Bethany Curry), “Fox” (Athena Perample), “Rat” (Britta Grant), “Owl” (Alicia Vela-Bailey), and “Coyote” (Chau Naumova). The seventh member, “Vertigo” (Okwui Okpokwasili), doesn’t transform into an animal but rather disrupts someone’s balance. In the comics, she is also the daughter of Nicolas Scratch, which could potentially suggest a connection to Agatha Harkness in this adaptation.
2 Mephisto Rumors Return with Blackheart
It’s quite possible that those who followed the WandaVision show are still thinking about the ongoing guesswork regarding the appearance of Mephisto. Given that Mephisto plays a significant role in Scarlet Witch’s comic book storyline involving her twin children, many viewers speculated that this character might be controlling the events unfolding in the 2021 Disney+ series.
In the popular series, WandaVision, Mephisto was noticeably absent. However, whispers abound that he will make an appearance in Ironheart, portrayed by the talented Sasha Baron Cohen. Despite his absence in WandaVision, Mephisto is connected to the show, and it seems as if the creators of Agatha All Along are skillfully manipulating audience anticipation, subtly referencing past hints about Mephisto.
In the show, Rio (played by Aubrey Plaza) mentions she’s got a “dark soul,” and later, Lilla indicates that the last name on Agatha’s witches’ list is represented by a black heart symbol. It’s evident that Agatha recognizes this is Rio, yet instead of approaching her directly, Agatha opts to recruit Mrs. Hart (portrayed by Debra Jo Rupp). This scene recalls the initial dinner scene between Wanda and Vision with the Harts in WandaVision, where a black and white heart was marked on the calendar, symbolizing their meeting.
In light of Rio being labeled as having a “dark side,” it’s hard not to think of Blackheart, a character from comic books, when considering this connection. Originally created by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr., Blackheart made his debut in Daredevil #270 back in September 1989, later becoming the primary adversary of Ghost Rider. Wes Bently once portrayed Blackheart in the 2007 film adaptation of Ghost Rider. Could Rio be the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) incarnation of Blackheart? It’s a possibility, but it also seems like an amusing Easter egg by the creators of Agatha All Along for fans who delved deep into Mephisto lore in previous series to establish further connections with the character.
1 Something Wiccan This Way Come
Since it was confirmed that Joe Locke would be part of the cast for WandaVision, viewers quickly assumed he might be portraying Billy Kaplan, more famously known as Wiccan, who is the son of The Scarlet Witch. Audiences have previously seen younger versions of her in both WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
In my interpretation, when I stumbled upon the “Welcome Coven” sign that Agatha had toppled during our confrontation, it struck me that only the letter ‘W’ remained standing. This could be a clever hint suggesting our mysterious Teen might be Wiccan, as ‘W’ is often associated with this practice. Furthermore, the library check-out card bearing the name W. Maximoff could potentially refer not to Wanda Maximoff, but rather William Maximoff – a name commonly known as Billy, which adds another layer of intrigue to our Teen’s true identity.
In the storylines of Marvel Comics, such as Hawkeye, The Marvels, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Wiccan has played a significant role. Therefore, it wouldn’t come as a surprise that the young character is indeed Wiccan.
In the first episode, we see Teen arriving at Agatha’s house, which notably has a room dedicated to what appears to be a deceased son. This suggests that Agatha All Along may be hinting at the possibility that Teen could be Nicolas Scratch, Agatha’s long-lost son. As their dynamic unfolds in episode 2, with Agatha serving as an unwilling mentor and Teen eager to learn about her, this theory gains credibility. However, it’s also possible that this is a red herring, and a later reveal that Teen is the son of the woman who cursed Agatha Harkness could strain their relationship while offering Agatha Harkness an opportunity for a new surrogate son and a chance to make amends for her past mistakes.
Start watching “Agatha All Along” now on Disney+! New episodes will be released every week until the end of September and October.
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2024-09-24 00:32