Marvel’s horror series is off to a strong start but I’m keeping expectations tempered

WandaVision became the first Marvel Studios TV show to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while it’s widely regarded as one of the best, the disconnect between expectations and execution left a bad taste in my mouth—one that carries over to Agatha all along. WandaVision was an excellently constructed show, and while it fell apart a bit in the final episodes, it was a compelling exploration of Wanda Maximoff as she became the Scarlet Witch. However, much of the discussion surrounding the show has been about its impact on the MCU, and would it introduce Mephisto?

I tell all this because there is much the same discussion going around now Agatha all along. Will the show resurrect Scarlet Witch after her death in? Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Climactic moments? Is Joe Locke playing Billy Kaplan, one of Wanda Maximoff’s sons from Marvel Comics?

I’ll admit, I grew up in the frenzy and excitement about that Agatha all along Could mean for the MCU, especially since I’ve been critical of how quickly Marvel executed Scarlet Witch’s villainous turn and death, and I’d love to see Elizabeth Olsen return for a true redemption story. Go in Agatha all alongI had high hopes – both for its quality as a TV show and for its impact on the MCU.

The first 4 episodes of Agatha all in all do not make a case for it being necessary MCU viewing

After watching the first four episodes of Agatha all alongI find myself frustrated with Marvel and their seeming reluctance to make their TV shows matter like the movies. During Marvel’s Infinity Saga, there was a kind of unwritten agreement between Marvel and viewers. If we watched all the movies, Marvel would reward us by ensuring our time was not wasted. I’m not alone in feeling that agreement was betrayed during the multiverse saga, especially by Marvel’s series.

Although I tried to keep my expectations tempered in Agatha all alongSo while I can see it on its own merits (and I’ll get to that, I promise), I was reminded all over again of Marvel not holding up their end of the deal and wondering if I was going to be disappointed again. Unfortunately for you and me, I’ve only seen the first four episodes, so I can’t say for sure if it’s worth watching Marvel yet. It’s hard to tell whether it’s an essential next chapter in the story or a tangent about Kathryn Hahn’s scene-stealing character.

For my part, I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high, and I would recommend the same to others. Once I looked past my expectations, I found that Agatha all along is truly entertaining television. It doesn’t quite escape the shadow of the MCU and the anticipation inherent in being a Marvel Studios release, but it makes for a fun show that’s perfect for the spooky season.

Agatha All Along is a very fun, geeky Marvel show

Led by Kathryn Hahn, the Marvel series has a cast with an abundance of talent

Agatha all along See the return of WandaVision Creator Jac Schaeffer, now officially in the showrunner role (which Marvel hasn’t had in many previous MCU shows), and begins to tell the story of Agatha Harkness (Cathryn Hahn). The series begins much like WandaVisionWith Agatha trapped in a pastiche of HBO’s More from Easttownand tasked with solving the murder of an unidentified body. However, once freed from her delusion, Agatha discovers that she is alone and powerless, and she is convinced by a mysterious teen (Joe Locke) to take a trip on the Witches Road to regain her power.

Joining Agatha on her journey are other witches in the Marvel Universe, including Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn) and Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza). Agatha all along Biggest strengths are Schaeffer’s writing and the cast bringing the scripts to life. The show peels back the layers of not only Agatha, but of all the cast’s characters, and offers a lot of compelling insight into the entire coven.

Certainly, it’s a special kind of joy to watch the legendary LuPone interact with Hahn, Locke, Plaza and the rest of the cast. There is no weak link between them, and the writing is so well balanced that it touches all the characters – even Debra Jo Rupp’s Sharon Davis – in unexpected ways. Agatha all along Looks to be another excellent character exploration from Schaeffer, and I’m excited to see what unfolds in the remaining five episodes.

all said, Agatha all along is the perfect show to watch for any Marvel fan who is also a Halloween lover. There are some pretty deep cuts to the Marvel lore, and a lot of spookiness that pushes the series into the realm of horror in a way the MCU hasn’t done since Multiverse of Madness Or Werewolf by night. While it remains to be seen whether Agatha all along Can deliver the expectations laid by fans, including me, for now, I’m enjoying the journey on the witches’ road.

Agatha all along Episodes 1 and 2 are now streaming on Disney+.