Agatha All Along season 1 episode 1 “Seekest Thou The Road” is the embodiment of that meme of the blonde lady talking on the phone and saying, “I’m going to give the gays everything they want.” As a fellow gay, I felt like I was being served up and devoured at the same time while watching. Because there was no earthly reason for Agatha and Aubrey Plaza’s character Rio to look at each other like that or lick each other like that. Just saying, that’s some pretty queer activity and I’m absolutely living for this introduction of their relationship. So imagine what we’re going to see for the rest of the season…
Admittedly, episode 1 was bogged down by the fact that they went for Mare of Easttown vibes to introduce us to Agatha now. Well Agnes. Wanda trapped her in her own mind as the world went on around her. And for 3 years she’s been stuck like this, probably making a fool out of herself in front of the entire town. And it was really interesting to see who she was, peeking through everything that she did. It kind of reminded me of when you have your curtains shut and the sun rises. Around the edges and between the curtains you see the little streams of light peeking out, cluing you in that it’s a new day. I felt like that’s what was happening to Agatha Harkness in episode 1.
Back to the gay vibes between Agatha and Rio.
It says a lot that Rio came into Agatha’s dream world and played along with it. Yes, she wanted to kill Agatha and they got into a bit of a smackdown. But there was also passion there, the kind that made her want to free Agatha from her bonds, or at least give her a little push to do it herself. That passion is tied to rage and wanting to kill. But it’s also tied to a visceral bond between these two that speaks of decades of history that can’t be understood or explained in a simple review. And I hope that Agatha All Along continues to explore that relationship.
Then there’s our little emo baby Joe Locke. As a long time Heartstopper fan, I’ve been excited for his appearance. I’ve been even more excited since Locke called out fanboys and basically told them, “I’m on a marvel show and you’re not.” Absolute icon behavior. And it only took me a couple minutes of seeing him there with his split eyebrow and black rimmed eyes to fall in love with him all over again. Because while on Heartstopper he was the cute little gay bathed in soft pastels and high school drama. In Agatha All Along he’s a sassy little goth who would absolutely get Charlie into so much trouble that I know people are going to write fanfictions where they interact.
I did want to spend some time talking about Kathryn Hahn and her acting. I feel like some people are going to have a hard time with it in episode 1; Besides the slow pace of this introduction with the detective mystery of it all. Viewers are definitely going to say that it was terrible acting by Hahn and that it felt cheesy. It’s supposed to feel that way. Agatha is not an actress and it’s clear that Hahn took that into account when she was playing her as Agnes. You could see during the interrogation scene, that pieces of Agatha were creeping through, that madness seeping into her every word and mannerism. She’s supposed to be a mess and a mixed bag of intentions, actions, and details. It’s because she’s trapped and has no idea who she is. Who wouldn’t be lost?
Ultimately, Agatha All Along season 1 episode 1 was a slow burn that left me wanting more of Agatha and Rio just staring into each other’s eyes, having full conversations about death, passion, anger, and so much more. Sure, there’s the whole bit of the mystery of her son Nicholas Scratch and the Salem 7 coming for Agatha. There’s also the witches road of it all. But I think this beginning for Agatha All Along was exactly what it needed to follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Olsen’s WandaVision but also to make this particular show stand out all on its own.
Already watched episode 2? Read our review for that episode here.
Agatha All Along season 1 is now available on Disney+.
Need more? Read our other reviews below:
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 2 Review: ‘Circle Sewn with Fate Unlock Thy Hidden Gate’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 3 Review: ‘Through Many Miles and Tricks’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 4 Review: ‘If I Can’t Reach You Let My Song Teach You’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 5 Review: ‘Darkest Hour, Wake Thy Power’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 6 Review: ‘Familiar by Thy Side’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 7 Review: ‘Death’s Hand in Mine’
- Agatha All Along Season 1 Episode 8 & 9 Review: ‘Follow Me My Friend/To Glory at the End & Maiden Mother Crone’
