This article contains WandaVision, Doctor Strange 2 and Agatha All Along spoilers.
While Marvel superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, and the Hulk are so familiar with The Village School Vikings, there are also supernatural forces, such as witches, that coexist alongside this technologically advanced world. In January 2021, “WandaVision” became the first Marvel Studios TV series released within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and received widespread acclaim. The show was well-constructed and offered a compelling exploration of Wanda Maximoff’s journey to becoming the Scarlet Witch, although it fell apart a bit in the final episodes. However, this dispirited feeling lasted only for a short time until Marvel announced a new spin-off series for “WandaVision,” provoking much discussion and excitement within the Marvel fan community, especially when they witnessed how quickly Marvel executed Scarlet Witch’s villain turn and demise, as she one of the most powerful witches in the Marvel Universe.
As the conversation unfolds, the main character of this promising miniseries is Wanda’s “noisy neighbor,” Ms. Agnes, also known as Agatha Harkness, the owner of the Darkhold. The series features the catchy theme song with the lyrics, “Who’s been messing up everything? / It’s been Agatha all along” (Schwartz, 2021). That’s how Marvel’s latest series, titled “Agatha All Along”, premiered on September 18, is perfectly timed for the Halloween season, where its content focuses on witches and has solid, heavy, spooky vibes. According to internal data from Disney+, the first episode of “Agatha All Along” garnered an impressive 9.3 million global views within its first seven days on the platform. This is close to the 11 million views that Disney reported as the average for each episode of “Loki” season two during its first full week of availability in November 2023, as reported by Vulture.
Building on that success, “Agatha All Along” has effectively fulfilled its goal of introducing diversity to the series without sparking controversy over being “woke” (the term refers to the awareness of social and political problems, concerned that some groups in society are treated less fairly than others, according to the Oxford dictionary) such as forced feminism, LGBTQ+/POC representation, or altering original character designs. The show has quickly become one of Marvel’s most popular series, demonstrating that the real issue isn’t whether a film is “woke” but rather the quality and passion behind its creation.
Marvel’s two series about witches sandwiched between Doctor Strange 2 explore the themes of deviant motherhood. The song “Down the Witches Road,” featured in the “Agatha All Along” trailer, particularly impressed its audience with its final line, “Blood and tears and bones / Maiden, mother, crone.” Moreover, if you have a background in Greek mythology and Tarot, you will have a better understanding of the series’ profound messages. It serves as a timeless lullaby and a riddle about life’s trials, ultimately reflecting both the beauty and tragedy of womanhood and motherhood.
1. “Maiden, Mother, Crone”
The term “Maiden, Mother, Crone” represents the Triple Deity in Greek mythology. Hecate, the goddess of magic and femininity, embodies these three identities and is depicted on Agatha’s medallion. As a protector of witches since ancient times, her journeys with her female identities are intertwined with the moon’s cycles, symbolizing femininity, intuition, and fertility. As seen in the series, the journeys of the witches, along with Death, emphasize the acceptance of life’s cycles. Each witch confronts personal challenges representing the three stages of a woman’s life where Jennifer Kale grapples with the loss of her youth (Maiden), Alice Wu struggles to connect with her deceased mother (Mother), and Lilia fears the inevitability of aging (Crone). Ultimately, all three characters experience significant transformations, making them relatable and endearing.
2. Agatha and Wanda: from Maiden to Mother and to “powerful witches”
In the theme song of this series – “Down the Witches Road,” the stages of a woman’s life are represented by the terms “blood,” “tears,” and “bones,” signifying the journey from birth to death. Both Wanda and Agatha embody these stages. Agatha’s past hints at a troubled childhood, marked by conflicts with her mother and being viewed as the “black sheep.” On the other hand, Wanda endured multiple tragedies before becoming an Avenger, often struggling to control her powers. They all loved their children deeply but experienced devastating losses that led them down a dark and vengeful path. The term “Crone” can symbolize a strange and frightening figure rather than simply referring to an old woman. Ultimately, the two of them accepted their fates. Agatha, through her connection to Nicholas Scratch (her son) and Wanda, sacrificed herself to destroy the Darkhold after realizing the harm she had caused to her twin sons in the 838 multiverse.
3. The beauty of feminism without loud proclamations
“Agatha All Along” eloquently explores themes of femininity and feminism without resorting to loud proclamations. The film fosters empathy for women who challenge societal norms, specifically those labeled as witches. For instance, in Episode 3, “So a witch is really just another name for a bad girl, right?” asked Sharon (Mrs. Hart). This idea has validity; historically, witchcraft has symbolized resistance against a patriarchal society, creating a sense of sisterhood among women striving to break free from conventional expectations. The film’s strength lies in its portrayal of feminism as a natural aspect of the characters’ lives rather than merely a label. Agatha’s transformation from a dark witch to a nurturing “mother figure” for Billy Maximoff is significant—he sees Wanda in Agatha, and she connects with Nicholas Scratch through him. In the series finale, Billy constructs a memorial stone to honor those who were lost, delivering a powerful message. In the final scene, “If one is gone, we carry on, with spirit as our guide,” Billy reflected as he searched for his twin brother Tommy, accompanied by Agatha’s spirit now playing as his “mother figure.”
Overall, this captivating Marvel series deserves a “marvelous” score of 9 out of 10 for how everything comes together throughout the witches’ journey. The characters are incredibly engaging from the very beginning, sparking curiosity and a desire to learn more about each one. The actresses are perfectly cast in their roles, delivering performances that effectively blend humor and emotion into the narrative that we, as Marvel fans, couldn’t ask for more!
References:
Schwartz, K. (2021). Agatha all along [Song]. On WandaVision: Season 1 (Original Soundtrack). Walt Disney Records.
Molly, F (2024, September 19), Agatha All Along Review: Marvel’s Horror Series Has A Strong Start But I’m Keeping Expectations Tempered, screenrant.com. ScreenRant
