This review contains full spoilers for Agatha All Along Season 1, Episode 4.
Episode four of Marvel’s Agatha All Along delves deeper into the world of witchcraft as Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) and her coven face another challenging trial along the Witches’ Road. However, this time around, the journey hits a few unexpected bumps. Despite the shortcomings of the latest enchanted escape room centered on Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), the episode shines with its vibrant characters, magical mysteries, and intense drama. Agatha All Along manages to maintain its allure even when not operating at its peak performance.
Unveiling a New Green Witch
Following the tragic demise of Mrs. Davis in the previous episode, the coven must find a replacement Green Witch. Their summoning ritual unexpectedly brings forth Agatha’s long-standing rival, Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal, in a chilling and spectacular fashion. Rio’s menacing arrival solidifies her reputation as the T̸̛͎̹̀͘H̴̢̧̛͇̘̉͛̉͜É̴̢̩̣ ̵̨̡̭̲̠̑̿̂̀G̷̪̝͌R̵͎̪̻̍̐̕E̷̢̗̖͉̒̅̉E̷̯̠͇̪̍̀̕N̸͎̲͎̭̾͗͠ͅ ̵̨͇̠͔̒̚W̸͉̓̈̑̏I̷̗̰̞̍T̴̮̼̣̦͕̈C̴̤͛H̵̠̺̃̌̚ͅͅ.
The return of Rio injects the much-needed dynamic tension with her unpredictable demeanor and overtly intimidating presence. Surprisingly, Rio’s behavior in this episode leans towards cooperative, raising concerns about her true intentions. Despite Agatha’s attempt to undermine Rio’s standing within the group, the execution backfires and portrays Agatha in a negative light instead. As the closest semblance to a villain on the show, Rio’s subdued nature leaves much to be desired in terms of evoking a sense of menace.
Facing the ‘70s Recording Studio Trial
The coven embarks on a groovy era-themed trial within a 1970s recording studio to confront Alice’s family curse. The challenge involves unraveling the secrets of her mother’s musical legacy and battling a fiery demon with the power of music. While the concept of the trial is intriguing, its execution falls short in clarity and fails to develop Alice’s character adequately. The preferential treatment towards Agatha in the musical performance raises questions about the trial’s focus and thematic relevance to the character arcs.
Despite these criticisms, the revamped ‘70s rendition of the ballad adds a campy and fiery flair to the trial. The incorporation of new story elements concerning Alice and her mother enriches the thematic depth of the performance.
The narrative shifts towards Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) following Mrs. Davis’ departure, with her charismatic presence stealing the spotlight. Lilia’s mix of humor, compassion, and intellect adds emotional weight to the storyline, delving into the unresolved emotions of past injustices during the Salem Witch Trials. The anticipation grows for Lilia’s impending trial and the revelations that may emerge from her interactions with supernatural forces.
The focus shifts to the interpersonal drama around the campfire, highlighting Agatha’s newfound emotional vulnerability towards Teen. The emergence of Agatha’s complicated history with Rio hints at unresolved conflicts and deep-seated emotions that continue to simmer beneath the surface. As the narrative unfolds, the complexities of these relationships unravel, paving the way for transformative character dynamics and intricate plot developments.