In the final episode of this season, we start in 1750, where a pregnant Agatha heads to a lakeside, biting into a lemon during labor. It seems odd, but the scene quickly shifts when Lady Death appears, hinting at Agatha’s imminent death in childbirth. Pleading for her child’s life, Agatha is surprisingly spared, and she gives birth to a son named Nicholas without any magical assistance.
As the years pass, we see Agatha evolve into a ruthless figure, killing witches to sustain her and Nicholas. Even as he grows older, Agatha remains adamant about her powers and dismisses Nicholas’s suggestions of cooperation. When Lady Death returns to claim Nicholas, Agatha’s grief transforms her into a mass murderer, showcasing her embrace of villainy.
Back in the present, Agatha appears as a ghost, revealing her calculated decision to sacrifice herself for the chance to remain tethered to the living world. Billy, initially shocked by the chaos, discovers Jen is alive, having escaped from the earth. When Billy attempts to banish Agatha using an incantation, she counters that she’s not ready to die, especially since she can’t face her son again. Instead of banishing her, he opts to carve the names of the deceased into the ground, and together they set off to find Tommy.
This episode felt like a frustrating exercise in futility. The backstory we receive does little to redeem Agatha; instead, it paints her as a sociopath with little regard for morality, having engaged in mass killings while raising her son. The show’s treatment of Agatha’s character arc diminishes any complexity we might have hoped for, making her a flat antagonist with a flimsy justification for her actions.
The revelation of Agatha as a ghost opens the door for further shenanigans, yet it also undermines any stakes we’ve built over the season. As she and Billy venture forth, it’s hard not to feel that we’ve merely cycled back to the beginning, rendering much of the preceding narrative irrelevant. This finale highlights the writing’s weaknesses, leaving us grappling with an unsatisfying conclusion to what could have been a compelling exploration of witchcraft and morality.
As we wrap up our journey with Agatha All Along, I find myself reflecting on what the series has accomplished. With a promising start and a strong performance from Kathryn Hahn, the show initially captivates us with its unique blend of horror and humor. The writing, spearheaded by Jac Schaeffer, offers insightful character explorations that elevate Agatha Harkness and her companions. Each episode peels back the layers of their lives, revealing complexities that resonate with fans of the Marvel universe.
However, despite its strengths, the show struggles to maintain momentum, often feeling like a tangent rather than a necessary chapter in the MCU. The buildup around its connections to the larger narrative can overshadow the enjoyment of the story itself. While it delivers moments of entertainment and spookiness perfect for the Halloween season, the high expectations can hinder our overall experience.
In the end, Agatha All Along earns a solid 3.5/5. It’s a fun ride that showcases strong performances and clever writing, but it may leave us craving a bit more substance as we move forward in the Marvel saga. Overall, it’s a show worth watching for fans, especially those eager for a witchy twist on the Marvel formula.
