TV Review: Agatha All Along Comes In Strong on Disney Plus
I was really excited for Agatha All Along, and the pressure is on when it comes to this show. Wandavision, even now, is one of the freshest pieces of content to have come out in the 2020s. It is so unique and distinct that, in some ways, its lack of a still anticipated, Season 2 only amplifies its uniqueness, and kind of makes Agatha All Along feel like its joyous replacement.
What is so brilliant about Jac Schaeffer´s creation is that they understood Kathryn Hahn is a natural star. I could watch that woman butter toast for 30 minutes and a file it for an Emmy nomination. Yet, what was even more brilliant was to cast her with more stars. Out September 18, this is a show filled with powerhouse presences that never dominate or outshine the Queen B, Agatha, but are also equally mesmerizing and memorable.
Patti Lupone as a psychic Lilia Calderu stakes her presence with humor and mystery. Aubrey Plaza as Riocould FOREVER play a weirdo and make me contemplate why I fight so hard to keep my sanity. Meanwhile, Sasheer Zamata´s Jennifer Kale and Ali Ahn´s Alice Wu are so rich as two more ¨normal¨ personalities that vibrate with an easy fierceness and ground a show that feels as wonderfully crazy as its originator. Wrapping up the cast is, Joe Locke´s Teen whom is just too good at playing really really sweet teens that make you say, ¨Awwww, protect him, NOW!¨ His role is so integral to the personal development of our deliciously, cold-hearted witch, who cannot even remember the wine connoisseurs, fabulous gardener, and genuinely kind, Sharon ( the iconic Debra Jo Rupp) .
Villains will always be fascinating content, and Agatha All Along does not shy from some of its leads more heinous acts. This is not a good human being, and you would be a fool to believe there is any origin story that covers or absolves her from the greedy things she has done for power. In some ways, that is what makes Agatha All Along as binge-watchable and repeatable as Wandavision. You cannot excuse these women for the madness they will cause or claim, but you cannot NOT watch all the seeds planted that led them to it.
Agatha is, obviously, more villainous than my little angel, Scarlet Witch, but what intrigues me about her, in this series, is the crossroads she is on. She does not seek redemption, but she does wonder and question whether all the pain she has caused was useful for the ¨prize¨ she wishes to claim. While she is not a character that regrets causing collateral damage, her existentialism and your viewership spark at her wondering how much is necessary.
