TV Review: ‘Agatha: All Along’ Episode 3 Reveals The Price Of Power In The MCU
by Frank Martin
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe often take for granted the powerful beings within it. These characters often stumble or are born into their crazy circumstances. Even the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), the character who set the events of Agatha All Along in motion, is said to have the power of witchcraft seemingly from birth. The same can’t be said for all the characters on this particular show, though. Witchcraft is something that needs to be studied and learned, often with great sacrifice. Although this week’s episode was probably the weakest one yet, it highlighted the price these witches are willing to pay for power.
Following the death of Mrs. Hart (Betty Jo Rupp), the witches decide to bring her back to life. Unfortunately, the mysterious Rio (Aubrey Plaza) takes her place and joins their journey on the witch’s road. Their next stop: a dance hall that causes the coven to become cursed. They break it by singing an alternate version of the Witch’s Road ballad. After escaping the dance hall, they take a moment to rest, where it it revealed to the audience that Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) and Rio used to be in a relationship.
It was established early on that the witch’s road is dangerous. In fact, Agatha said that only one other member of her previous coven had survived the attempt. All of these women are putting there lives on the line for power and strength, something that so many characters in the MCU take for granted. The episode didn’t have the magical quirkiness of previous installments, or maybe the show is simply facing diminishing returns with familiar tropes. But regardless of how this particular episode unraveled, the danger and stakes can still be felt all around them.
Agatha All Along streams Wednesdays on Disney+.
