Did ‘Agatha All Along’ Lose Sight of Its Main Character’s Identity?

I’m really enjoying “Agatha All Along.”This series is the ideal blend of eerie elements and Marvel excitement, overflowing with witches, mysteries, and revelations. Particularly in episode 6, titled “Familiar by Thy Side,” our perception of Wanda’s storyline in both “WandaVision”and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”has transformed significantly.

Warning: Spoilers for Agatha All Along episode 6.

Isn’t it intriguing that a series centered around the ancient witch Agatha Harkness ultimately uncovers more about Wanda’s lineage and her harrowing quest to reunite with her sons? With the revelation of Teen’s true identity—he was Wanda’s son all along—it starts to feel more like “The Billy Kaplan/Maximoff Show” rather than “The Agatha Harkness Show.”

Nevertheless, “Agatha All Along” remains immensely entertaining, and I eagerly anticipate each new episode. It sets a standard for future Marvel Television projects to explore the repercussions of Marvel Studios’ significant narratives instead of merely serving as a vehicle for introducing less significant characters. Still, it seems Agatha has been somewhat overshadowed by Billy Kaplan’s character. This is somewhat understandable—if Wanda is indeed deceased, Billy emerges as the logical magical successor in the MCU, especially since “WandaVision”garnered substantial success on Disney+.

However, this rationale doesn’t fully justify why we’ve acquired a deeper understanding of Billy Kaplan’s journey in these six episodes compared to Agatha Harkness. Yes, her son is referenced, we briefly encounter her spirit mother, and there’s a palpable tension between Agatha and Rio, portrayed by Aubrey Plaza. Yet, in the broader context, episode 6 has transformed “Agatha All Along”into a saga focused on Billy. He instigated the entire chain of events—from William Kaplan’s tragic demise, his subsequent memory loss, the hunt for Ralph Bohner on Reddit, breaking into Agatha’s home, to liberating her from Wanda’s control—all these actions were driven by Billy’s desires and circumstances. The entire narrative hinges on his motivations rather than Agatha’s.

Indeed, Agatha craves power, but her ambition is nothing new. Without Billy, she wouldn’t even have ventured onto the Witches’ Path. The coven would have never crossed paths (and their fates may have diverged entirely). She’d likely remain trapped under Wanda’s sway, completely oblivious and just as discontented. Could Rio eventually have come to her aid? Possibly, but that would lead to an entirely different narrative arc. In this iteration, Agatha isn’t an active driver of the plot; she plays a crucial role within Billy’s unfolding drama.

Of course, the series still has ground to cover. Fortunately, we have three additional episodes to look forward to, and I sincerely hope we delve deeper into the dynamics between Agatha and Rio. However, will three episodes suffice to elevate Agatha’s presence as a central figure in a series named after her? After all, Billy is still on a quest for Tommy, and currently, he’s steering the direction of the narrative. If Agatha doesn’t reclaim some influence soon, she risks being completely overshadowed by him.

Source