The Marvel Comics character Agatha Harkness received her live-action debut in 2021 in the Marvel limited series “WandaVision.” In that series, Agatha was a centuries-old wicked witch intent on stealing and owning the considerable power of Wanda, the Scarlet Witch. Naturally the villain was defeated, with Agatha depowered and imprisoned by Wanda in a delightfully clever and ironic manner.
As it happened, Agatha Harkness, as portrayed by Kathryn Hahn, proved to be so popular that the green light was quickly given to feature her in her own Disney+ series. On Sept. 18, “Agatha All Along” debuted with a two-episode premiere on Disney+, and so far, it’s an unmitigated delight.
“Agatha All Along” picks up where “WandaVision” left off, with Agatha still powerless and trapped by the Scarlet Witch’s binding spell, living a fantasy life based on familiar television tropes—in this case, true crime mystery where she’s the gruff and tough-as-nails police detective.
In the course of investigating the story’s murder mystery, certain strange clues keep presenting themselves, and she meets some mysterious individuals who end up helping her break Wanda’s spell and restoring her memories of her true self back in the real world—but still powerless.
Apparently, the only way to recover her power is to take a mystical journey down the fabled Witches’ Road where, if you survive to the end, you are granted power. But, she needs a coven to access the Road. She gathers four women and a teen boy as her coven, and at the end of the second episode, they begin their journey.
One of the first things that must be said about “Agatha All Along” is that it is very funny—the wit and sometimes bitchy one-liners are razor-sharp. But it also has elements of real horror that are truly creepy.
Then there is the perfect casting. First, of course, is Kathryn Hahn, chewing the scenery as the caustically witty Agatha—but she gets to show her range by playing essentially a different character for the show’s first half hour. Then there is Joe Locke (of “Heartstopper” fame), playing an unnamed 16-year-old witch wannabe, who is unknowingly under some sort of spell that prevents him from revealing identifying information. Locke’s character is clearly, though subtly, gay—and he steals almost every scene he’s in. The women who bring Agatha’s coven to life are all astonishingly talented, including the legendary Patti LuPone, Debra Jo Rupp, Ali Ahn and Sasheer Zamata. Also, Aubrey Plaza shows up as an antagonist who has a bang-up fight scene with Hahn.
For those who are tuned into such things, there is a subtle gay vibe that permeates the proceedings. In addition to Joe Locke’s gay character, there is an undeniable sapphic subtext in the interaction between Hahn and Plaza’s characters. Also, watch out for the frequent “Wizard of Oz” references peppered throughout.
With its first two episodes, “Agatha All Along” promises to be the most engaging Marvel Disney+ series in years—and the gayest. We will have to wait and see if the series holds up its high quality to the end.
New episodes of “Agatha All Along” drop on Disney+ on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
