Many fans did not expect Agatha All Along to emerge as one of the best MCU shows of 2024. Now that the first two episodes of the latest Kathryn Hahn starrer are out on Disney+, it seems those fans were right. This Jac Schaeffer creation was always destined to be seen as less significant by the MCU fanbase, especially when compared to other MCU shows with much higher stakes. Additionally, the show’s critical reception has further worsened its situation.
Agatha All Along currently holds a ‘fresh’ (or should we say barely fresh?) score of 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 50 reviews. While this is technically a ‘fresh’ rating, it doesn’t appear that way through the eyes of the MCU fanbase. Marvel fans have grown accustomed to MCU projects being not only commercial successes but also critical hits. Any other studio or franchise might gladly accept this score, but it’s unclear what both Marvel Studios and Disney will think of the show, as it is now the second-lowest-rated MCU series of all time, ahead only of Secret Invasion (52% critic score).
Many may even question Agatha All Along’s very existence and importance in the MCU’s Phase Five after watching its first two episodes.
Episode 1 opens with Agatha in her ‘Agnes’ form. However, this ‘Agnes’ is drastically different from the one we saw in WandaVision, as she now appears as a watered-down, tormented, and exhausted version of the character who was once intriguing, mischievous, and cunningly evil. Hahn does a commendable job of portraying this hardened version of Agnes. Still, you may wonder whether the show needed this dynamic at all. WandaVision took nearly four episodes to bring Wanda and Vision out of Westview’s Hex, whereas Agatha All Along does so in the very first episode.
However, the moment we step into Episode 2, all the seriousness associated with Agnes (now Agatha) vanishes instantly. This sudden shift in tone may not sit well with many viewers. Additionally, the show’s actual format—a playful yet rugged comic fantasy quest about unfulfilled witches hitting the road to reclaim their powers—fails to enchant the audience.
It’s not that Agatha All Along lacks positive aspects. There are plenty of good elements, but the show seems to rely too heavily on Kathryn Hahn and Heartstopper’s Joe Locke. This might change, and it should, in upcoming episodes, as other characters deserve a chance to shine as well.
Overall, the first two episodes of Agatha All Along suffer from a sluggish pace. Schaeffer gives her all to turn a weak plot into something brilliant but falls short—well, she’s not Matt Shakman! We also see the coven’s witches bickering and bonding through a series of frantic yet dull challenges. The elements of female empowerment are overshadowed by generic and clichéd storylines. While there are moments of good humor in the first two episodes, they may not be enough to elicit laughter from everyone. Stay tuned for more updates. Indian viewers can watch the first two episodes on Disney+ Hotstar.