When WandaVision got here to an in depth, it appeared we’d by no means revisit the now-iconic city of Westview. With Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) gone and Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) trapped in her Agnes persona, there appeared no cause to. That is till late 2021 when it was introduced that Agatha: House of Harkness (one in all many false titles) was in growth. And whereas the announcement of Agatha’s spin-off present proved we hadn’t seen the final of Hahn’s witch, the door nonetheless appeared shut on Westview. However, the primary two episodes of Agatha All Along shocked us with an prolonged return to Westview.

‘Agatha All Along’ Features Some Familiar Faces

Before we’re reacquainted with Agatha, we meet Detective Agnes – the star of her personal WandaVision-esque present, Agnes of Westview. Like Wanda reliving completely different sitcom eras, Agatha (nonetheless trapped as Agnes) is caught in a Mare of Easttown knockoff the place she performs a weary, tough-as-nails detective who’s been suspended however simply can’t stay away from the motion. When she arrives on the scene, she encounters a mysterious Jane Doe corpse and her accomplice, who you would possibly acknowledge as Herb (David A. Payton), a resident of Westview. As it seems, the entire neighborhood performs a task in Agnes of Westview, from Norm (Asif Ali) to Dottie (Emma Caulfield Ford) and past. But when Jane Doe seems to be none apart from the Scarlet Witch herself, coupled with the acquainted look of “Detective” Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) and a anonymous, Latin-chanting Teen (Joe Locke), Agatha sheds her false actuality solely to discover herself in one other in Westview as we press the play button on WandaVision three years later.

Westview Remembers the Hex and Wanda’s Damage

To everybody within the actual Westview, Agatha remains to be Agnes – however she’s not a sleepless detective. Just a kindly neighbor who’s been appearing slightly kooky recently, like she’s “been bit by the true crime bug,” as Herb places it. Including Herb, Agatha spots Phil (David Lengel), Norm, and Mrs. Hart (Debra Jo Rupp), even Dottie, dwelling their modern-day lives unimpeded by the theme of a sitcom TV collection. As her reminiscence returns, Agatha discovers that Wanda have to be chargeable for her state of affairs. But after the idea leaves her mouth, Herb sternly informs Agatha that they don’t say Wanda’s title aloud.Agatha All Along exploring the fallout of WandaVision was surprising, and it’s fascinating after we understand that the residents of Westview are nonetheless attempting to reclaim their freedom after Wanda’s grief-stricken imprisonment of the city.

The most tragic occasion aftermath within the entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Blip, was explored in WandaVision by way of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), however the collection itself additionally created an equally consequential trauma on a considerably smaller scale. While we knew one thing was awry in Westview, it was collectively assumed that Wanda had one thing to do with it, however the total revelation that she had enslaved a whole city got here as fairly a shock. Although she lastly freed the city from her Hex, the residents of Westview stay each terrified and angered by her time there. Along with Herb’s worry of even uttering her title, we additionally see the plot of land the place Vision (Paul Bettany) meant to construct their residence (and the epicenter of Wanda’s Hex) has been vandalized with graffiti of the Scarlet Witch’s headpiece in addition to the phrases “Evil Witch.” Clearly, there’s no love misplaced with the residents of Westview as the primary episode highlights simply how a lot strife Wanda put everybody in Westview by way of together with her Hex – even candy Mrs. Hart is bitter when she informs Agatha that Wanda “branded” her with that identification, her actual title being Sharon Davis.

‘Agatha All Along’ Provides Some Much-Needed MCU Connectivity

In the years (and phases) following Avengers: Endgame, it’s been no secret that the MCU has been disconnected due to its personal inventive ambition. The complete cause we’re watching an Agatha-centered present in 2024, practically 4 years after the debut of WandaVision, is due to what number of TV reveals and movies had been greenlit within the wake of Endgame’s field workplace domination. But with so many tales rolling out concurrently, there was little to no risk to hold the thread of connectivity strung all through that made the primary three phases of the MCU so profitable, to start with. Jumping from house to avenue to a distinct avenue on the opposite facet of the universe was complicated sufficient, and that’s with out the inclusion of the ever-expanding multiverse we’ve come to love and hate.

While that free threads challenge remains to be being sorted out within the current (and hopefully be considerably tied up come Avengers: Secret Wars), Agatha All Along is increasing upon MCU lore as a substitute of beginning a brand new thread, which is refreshing and in addition deeply essential. The present ties again into WandaVision seamlessly and even follows up on the occasions of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness as Agatha grapples with the information of Wanda’s “death” (in quotes as a result of she wants to return). The remnants of Wanda’s presence in Westview and its haunting results on its residence is arguably one of the compelling issues the MCU has carried out since, effectively… WandaVision. The highlight is, after all, Agatha’s in Agatha All Along however we’re left with some convincing proof that The Scarlet Witch’s story isn’t fairly over but, as a result of she’s clearly nonetheless on the thoughts of Westview residents, Agatha, and certain Teen (we all know it’s you, Billy) too. Agatha could have traded Westview for the Witches’ Road, nevertheless it was good to get some closure and revisit the Westview neighborhood (as traumatized as they might be) after what appears like such a very long time.

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