“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy,” wrote Shakespeare in Hamlet, and it’s a pity that none of those mysteries make Agatha, Who Else? interesting to me right now. It’s curious, because not only am I disappointed by this Marvel Studios series for Disney+, but I also feel a little guilty about it.
Deep down, I had hoped that the character of Agatha Harkness, who was a breath of fresh air in WandaVision, could unfold in her own series exploring the fascinating world of magic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But after watching only the first four episodes offered by Disney, that initial spark has faded, leaving me with a feeling of apathy and superficiality.
One of the most visually limited productions within the standards of the MCU
Agatha, Who Else? is a series that arises directly from the success of WandaVision, where Agatha, portrayed with charisma by Kathryn Hahn, became a breakout character. This new production follows the events after the end of WandaVision, with Agatha trapped in the same Westview, trying to regain her power. The main cast is completed by Aubrey Plaza, who brings an intriguing performance, and Joe Locke, whose character is still a mystery, but who, according to speculations, could be connected to iconic Marvel figures. The series also constantly plays with these nods, but unfortunately, the substance behind them seems little more than smoke and mirrors.
The series presents itself as one of the most visually limited productions within the standards of the MCU, with its recognizable polished aesthetics and competent special effects. However, where it fails miserably is in the soul of its story. Agatha, Who Else? opts for a superficial structure, albeit necessarily reassertive.
Connections to Comics and the MCU
The series takes some elements from Marvel comics, but only enough for dedicated fans to recognize them and occasionally star in their Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at the screen meme. In the comics, Agatha Harkness is a powerful witch with connections to both the Fantastic Four and Wanda Maximoff, whom she trains in mystical arts. These backgrounds appear to be more distant in the series, where the script focuses on the Witches’ Path and the search for lost power, a concept that could have had incredible potential, but here dissolves into what seems like a magical obstacle course.
Agatha, Who Else? could have been the vehicle to explore deeper themes about magic, power, and the history of witches in the MCU, but what we get is a caricature in the worst sense. Instead of offering an engaging and immersive narrative, the series resembles some of the weakest episodes of series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Charmed, albeit with much more footage and much less charisma. Comparisons are inevitable when a series that tries to talk about witches and magic ends up being a pastiche of the worst clichés of the genre. Everything in this series seems cheap, a watered-down version of what Marvel has achieved in the past with its magical stories.
A Missed Opportunity on the Witches’ Path
One of the concepts I was most looking forward to seeing developed was the Witches’ Path, a key element that could have led to a deep dive into the history and lore of the MCU. However, what is presented in Agatha, Who Else? is a kind of magical “escape room”, full of tests and challenges that seem more appropriate for a theme park than for a series with narrative ambitions. The tests that Agatha and the rest of the characters face lack real tension or purpose, and the solutions to these challenges are as predictable as they are boring.
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However, the series knows how to play some cards. Although the episodes I have seen do not confirm anything, there are indications that important characters from the mystical underworld of Marvel, like Mephisto or Blackheart, could make an appearance. In addition, the identity of the character played by Joe Locke is another of the mysteries that the series skillfully handles, playing misdirection in a way that at least keeps us somewhat interested.
A Feast of Pop References and Hidden Nods
If anything deserves praise in Agatha, Who Else?, it’s its use of imagery. Throughout these four episodes, the series unfolds a rich collection of references: lunar, historical, and hermetic symbols, all wrapped in a pop reimagining that mixes The Wizard of Oz, the tales of the Brothers Grimm, and references to wicca. There are even nods to songs by Heart and Led Zeppelin, which, for pop culture fans, is a true feast of references.
But as we know well, references are not enough to sustain a series. It takes a personality that doesn’t rely on overacting and cringe-worthy dialogues. Despite how interesting these symbolic and cultural connections can be, the series fails to integrate them into a coherent and engaging narrative. They are simply there, in the background, while the characters do things in the foreground. What could have been a fascinating exploration of magic and its implications in the MCU remains superficial, a (purple) coat of paint on an empty structure. The mysticism and grandeur that characterize characters like Doctor Strange or even the Scarlet Witch are missing.
Aubrey Plaza, the Best of the Series
The great strength of Agatha, Who Else? is Aubrey Plaza’s performance. From the moment she appears on screen, her magnetic presence and unique acting style bring some life to a series that would otherwise be completely flat. Her rough and enigmatic personality, and her shared history with Agatha, offer glimpses of what this series could have been if it had taken a bolder and less conventional path.
However, Plaza’s spell is not enough to save Agatha, Who Else? from its own waning charm. The series tries to approach bigger ideas, but these themes blur in a typical and predictable narrative structure. Agatha, Who Else? tries to approach the idea that the difference between ancient and new myths has a real historical translation reflected in the importance of what has been lost, because the transition from humanity’s original matriarchy to the social and cultural patriarchy that we still live in today implies much more than just men seizing power from women. It’s a shame that all the interesting ideas in the background blur into a typical adventure in structure, but sprinkled with necessary adjustments to current social patterns.
A Disappointment I Didn’t Expect
As I mentioned at the beginning, I feel a little guilty for not being able to enjoy Agatha, Who Else?. This series, theoretically, had everything it needed to be a success: a charismatic character, a connection to one of Marvel’s biggest TV successes, and a fascinating theme like magic. But, unfortunately, what we get is a series that fails to emerge from the shadow of seeming an unnecessary and opportunistic product, a caricature of what it could have been.
If you are a fan of Agatha Harkness or magic in the MCU, I still invite you to give it a chance, especially seeing that the reactions of many fans on social media to the first episodes are very enthusiastic. It’s not my case, but there’s nothing like judging for yourself: the first two episodes of Agatha, Who Else? premiere on September 19 on Disney+.
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