Three years after Wandavision, the MCU’s latest series Agatha All Along brings Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) back into the spotlight. This new chapter dives deeper into the MCU’s world of witches and spells, with a significant portion of the storyline also revolving around “Teen” (Joe Locke), who begins as a sidekick but gradually becomes a key player as the series progresses. The show is further enriched by a strong supporting cast, including Aubrey Plaza as Rio, Patti LuPone as Lillia, Sasheer Zamata as Jennifer, Ali Ahn as Alice, and the return of Debra Jo Rupp as Ms. Hart.

While the premise hinted at a darker, more mystical tone, the first two episodes felt a bit disjointed. The premiere serves to reintroduce Agatha, while the second episode primarily focuses on setting up the ensemble cast. Although it was necessary, some moments felt rushed while others seemed superfluous. Once the group is assembled, the story follows their journey to the perilous “Witches’ Road.” The show promises a dangerous and life-threatening adventure, but the stakes did not always feel as high as they should have. 

One of the show’s most engaging elements is its use of “trials” — puzzle-like challenges that the group must solve to progress. These moments are intricately designed, entertaining, and often a highlight of the episodes. It does take time for the narrative to hit its stride, but by episode 5, bold decisions reignite interest in the story. Unfortunately, episode 8’s shift toward a more dramatic tone fell flat and didn’t resonate with me. The show’s comedic tone is not well-done either, as the jokes often miss the mark and result in more grimaces than laughs. 

On the technical side, the CGI is competent but unremarkable — it does the job but is nothing to rave about. The costumes, however, are stellar; they’re creative, detailed, and one of the show’s standout aspects. 

The performances are another strength. Kathryn Hahn is as magnetic as ever in her role, while Joe Locke gives a solid performance that leaves me curious about his character’s future in the MCU. Aubrey Plaza steals the show whenever she’s on-screen, bringing an electric energy to her role. The rest of the supporting cast delivers solid performances, though no one else particularly shines.

This is partially due to the writing, which is one of the show’s weaker points. Some character decisions felt haphazard and lacked believable motivation, undermining their effectiveness. However, the show does have excellent symbolism, with subtle visual cues and details often paying off later. Agatha All Along is sure to reward attentive viewers. The visual storytelling is often superior to the narrative.

Yet the story’s pacing was ultimately its biggest issue, as too many moments felt stalled or regressive. When the narrative hit its high points, it was gripping and enjoyable, but these moments were few and far between. The finale was a letdown, leaving me questioning whether the show works as a standalone entry outside of its MCU context. Like many MCU series, it sets up future storylines but struggles to stand on its own. 

While Agatha All Along has strong performances, moments of brilliance, and impressive symbolism, its uneven pacing, strange tone, and underwhelming finale hold it back. As part of the MCU, it’s a solid entry with an intriguing setup for the future. As a standalone series, though? It falls short. 

7/10