Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) is one of the first characters introduced in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe through WandaVision. Before the premiere of Agatha All Along later tonight, let’s recap the events that brought her to this point.
Agatha In Westview
Agatha first made her appearance in episode 1 of WandaVision, under the guise of “Agnes” (Agatha Harkness), the nosy next door neighbour. As the series progressed, we’d see Agnes pop up quite often in a role similar to that of a recurring character in a sitcom, especially in times of need for Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), seemingly acting like a guardian angel for her. It’s only until episode 7 when Agnes offers to babysit Wanda’s children, Billy and Tommy Maximoff that her true colors are revealed.
Through a catchy songtitled “Agatha All Along” we learn that Agnes, now revealed as Agatha Harkness, has been orchestrating many events that have impacted Wanda’s life. From messing with Wanda’s and Vision’s magic show, controlling Herb (David A Payton) in order to encourage Vision (Paul Bettany) to have doubts, bringing Wanda’s dead brother “back to life” and killing the family pet, Sparky.
In episode 8 we learn about some of the events that occurred prior to Agatha’s visit to Westview namely, the Salem Witch Trials. Agatha was put on trial by her own coven consisting of her mother, Evanora (Kate Forbes) and others. Agatha was caught practicing dark magic (which she denied) and was set to be killed by her coven until her powers kicked in, causing her to wipe out the coven. Agatha would later come across the Darkhold, the book of the damned which would corrupt her and her obsession with Dark Magic.
The episode then follows flashbacks of Wanda’s life, which revealed enough information for Agatha to determine the true identity of Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch. Episode 9 would then be the final battle, Agatha, determined to take Wanda’s Chaos Magic for herself, decides to bargain. Agatha proposes that after absorbing the Chaos Magic she will keep the Westview Anomaly / Hex and by extension Wanda’s family alive. Wanda denies the offer and the two get into a fierce battle ultimately ending in Agatha losing her powers and the Darkhold. Rather than being sent to in-universe prison, The Raft or any equivalent, Agatha is given a different fate, Wanda says that Agatha will be forced to play the role of Agnes, she pleads with Wanda stating that she’ll need her for what’s to come. Wanda ignores her warning and puts her under the spell anyway.
Wanda’s Sacrifice
While Agatha Harkness does not appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the events may be a driving point in the plot of Agatha All Along. The film sees a corrupted Wanda Maximoff chase after a teen with the ability to travel across universes known as America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), Wanda intends to take America’s powers to travel to Earth-838 a universe where Billy and Tommy Maximoff are alive and not bound by the Hex.
At Wundagore, Chavez manages to use her power and cause Wanda to cross over to 838. Wanda attacks her 838 variant and meets a terrified Billy and Tommy who reject her. 838 Wanda comforts 616 Wanda allowing her to break free from the Darkhold’s corruption. Realizing what 616 Wanda has done she sacrifices herself to destroy both Wundagore and every copy of the Darkhold in the Multiverse. With Wanda seemingly dead it may be a factor for Agatha breaking free from the spell in Agatha All Along.
What Happens Next?
In the upcoming series, the mysterious “Teen” (Joe Locke) will seemingly break Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) out of Wanda’s spell. The two will assemble a coven and venture down the Witch’s Road to regain Agatha’s power per the synopsis:
The infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road…
WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness are now streaming on Disney+.
Agatha All Along stars Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness, Joe Locke as “Teen”, Aubrey Plaza as Rio Vidal, Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu, and more. The series premieres on Disney+ on September 18th at 6PM PT / 9PM ET.
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