"Agatha All Along" culminated in a gripping two-part finale just before Halloween, solidifying Kathryn Hahn’s portrayal of Agatha as one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Witches' Road is an Urban Legend.
The major plot twist of the finale reveals that the Witches' Road is entirely a fabrication by Agatha, which was inadvertently brought to life by Billy (Joe Locke).
This development adds a dark layer to the series, indicating that Agatha intended to eliminate her new coven from the outset, merely feigning compliance once the Road emerged.
It also sheds light on Agatha's anxious and seemingly hapless demeanor during the trials, despite her claims of having previously traversed the Road. Her fury towards Billy, when the Road appeared to form a closed loop, further underscores her frustration.
Agatha consistently exhibits a penchant for contingency planning, weaving intricate schemes. Even her apparent self-sacrifice to save Billy was executed with the foresight that she would return as a ghost.
All the Deceased Witches Were Victims of Murder.
The revelation that the Road was a deception reframes the numerous deaths throughout the adventure in a profoundly unsettling manner, rendering them ultimately meaningless and reducing them to mere acts of Agatha's murders.
Alice (Ali Ahn) met her untimely demise without realizing she was being deceived. Tragically, Agatha exploited Alice’s powers, despite later being able to do so with Billy.
Lilia (Patti LuPone) sacrificed herself to save the coven, an act that proved futile in the grand scheme of Agatha’s machinations.
In retrospect, the death of "Mrs. Hart" (Debra Jo Rupp) stands out as one of the most tragic narratives in the MCU. A well-meaning suburbanite ensnared by Wanda’s mind-bending spell, she ultimately fell victim to Agatha’s trap and died for a cause she never fully grasped, with Agatha never taking the time to learn her name.
This revelation is not unexpected, as we learn that Agatha has come to devalue human life over the years, caring only for her son. In a refreshing departure from typical protagonists, Agatha is a genuine villain, one whose actions make Loki seem almost virtuous by comparison.
Through an extended flashback, Agatha is depicted as a serial killer entwined in a relationship with Death (Aubrey Plaza), employing her magic-leeching abilities to eliminate an extraordinary number of women over the centuries.
Agatha’s sole redeeming quality lies in her love for her son, Nicholas Scratch, whom she endeavors to protect from Death’s grasp.
What Motivated Agatha to Kill All Those Witches?
The reasoning behind Agatha's actions remains somewhat ambiguous; however, it is suggested that she is buying time for Nick by slaughtering covens of witches as offerings to Death.
Additionally, Agatha and Death seem to have a tacit agreement in which Agatha supplies bodies in exchange for an extension of her own life. When we are first introduced to Death, portrayed by Plaza as Rio, Agatha asserts, “You can’t kill me; it’s not allowed.”
In the finale, Death offers further insight into their arrangement, stating to Agatha, “No one in history has had special treatment like you.”
Following Nick’s inevitable demise, Agatha intensifies her murderous tendencies, using the song they once shared to manipulate other witches into her schemes. After Nick's death, Agatha seems to embrace nihilism, driven by a desire for greater power and an extended lifespan.
In a bittersweet turn, this leads Agatha to harbor a profound fear of encountering her son in the afterlife, as she feels too ashamed to face him after her actions.
Agatha stands out as one of the most compelling characters in the MCU, having jeopardized her relationship with her own son due to her obsession with Death.
Interestingly, in the comics, it is Thanos who harbors a desire for Death, with his infamous “snap” from the Infinity Gauntlet storyline motivated by a wish to impress her.
Who Is Nicholas Scratch’s Father?
While many fans speculated that Mephisto, the devil of the Marvel universe, was Nick’s father, it appears that the boy has no father figure.
Agatha identifies as a lesbian and claims to have created her son “from scratch,” suggesting that she conjured him herself, similar to how Wanda created her twins. However, one could argue that Death may also be regarded as Nick’s second mother and could have played a role in his conception.
Being a child of Death could also clarify why Nick was intended to be stillborn and why Death shows him kindness, even as she takes him away.
Will There Be a Second Season of "Agatha All Along"?
"Agatha" is a spin-off of "WandaVision," and the narrative is set to continue in the upcoming MCU series "Vision Quest," featuring Paul Bettany reprising his role as Vision. The series concludes with the titular witch agreeing to redeem herself by serving as Billy’s spirit guide, assisting him in locating his lost twin brother.
Billy, who assumes the superhero identity of "Wiccan," has already demonstrated remarkable abilities, having twice evaded Death and conjured the Witch’s Road effortlessly.
As Agatha noted, the boy takes after his mother; it remains to be seen whether he will harness his powers for the greater good or succumb to a loss of control, much like Wanda.