Marvel Studios’ “WandaVision” S1E8: Maggie’s Review

Spoiler note: We’re getting close to the end of “WandaVision” Season 1. With just one episode left, it is impossible to discuss without some spoilers.

Streaming now on Disney+ is the penultimate episode of “WandaVision” entitled “Previously On.” Last week’s installment ended with the revelation that Wanda and Vision’s sometimes nosy, sometimes helpful and always hilarious neighbor Agnes (played by the wonderful Kathryn Hahn) is actually Agatha Harkness. Agatha is a witch who, prior to seemingly possessing Wanda, revealed that she was throwing wrenches into Wanda’s sitcom life at every turn through a montage set to the now virally catchy “Agnes All Along.” This week we learn Agatha is a powerful witch who gained tremendous power more than 300 years ago, and came to Westview to discover the secrets of Wanda’s powers. Through her spells, we see the real story of Wanda’s childhood, the Hydra laboratory that honed her powers, her bond with Vision and the influence of sitcoms along the way. This episode includes another mid-credits scene essential to the next episode.

While Agnes has been a sparkling light throughout “WandaVision”‘s run thus far, this episode really allows her to shine. Kathryn Hahn has embodied each sitcom stereotype required of Agnes perfectly, delivering lines like “I actually did bite a child once” that steal the show. After last week’s reveal, I was concerned that Agatha would be the Big Bad, the real mastermind behind the Hexagon. Instead, she played a fascinating role in seeing Wanda’s journey and grief through fresh eyes. “WandaVision” does not shy away from the literal reality bending grief that Wanda feels in favor of a cleaner or more simplistic good vs evil plot. Next week brings the season’s conclusion and (fingers crossed) the Wanda-Monica team up we have all been waiting for.