TV REVIEW: AGATHA ALL ALONG - Season 1

4/5

Harkness On The Edge Of Town

9 Episodes. Starring: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, Patti LuPone & Aubery Plaza. Created By: Jac Schaeffer. On: Disney +

Happy Halloween! It's the season of the witch and a cosplayer's dream in Marvel's 'Agatha All Along' on Disney Plus. The nine-episode spin-off to 'WandaVision', showing you in Westview, it was all about Kathryn Hahn all along. All as this new Marvel Television syndicate looks to carve its name into Halloween like a jack-o-lantern, after giving us 'Werewolf By Night' in black and white, and then live in living color, over the last two seasons. Down, down, down, the road, down the witches road, it's all a bunch of hocus-pocus, as Jac Schaeffer's ('TiMER', 'Black Widow') seasonal show, gives us, not only a two-episode premiere, but a two-episode finale twofer for your witching hour. Not to mention the sacred chant of a ballad that might just be the best original anti-hero song yet...and we've just had 'Joke: Folie à Deux' to deal with.

Cackle all you like, but this witches brew is brilliant. From getting a gang, that could give Bette Midler and her old crones a run for their warts, together, to paying tribute to the 'Wicked' greats that came before them, all the way to the horns of the magnificent 'Maleficent', as these bad witches go through more classic costume changes than a catwalk, door-by-door (how about the 'Bo Selecta' moment?). Eating the apple, all the way to the compelling credits of witch sightings, stories, 'The Simpsons', and even a Disney one for your princesses. But it's 'Bad Moms' and 'Glass Onion: A 'Knives Out' Mystery' star Kathryn Hahn who will really put a spell on you in this perfect cast. After literally stealing and hijacking the show from Wanda and Vision, she excels here. From the role copped in the perfect pilot, sharing strands with the sitcome 'WandaVision' throwback premiere, to the origin story finale that feels like the longest, and best, post-credits scene Marvel have ever done (although there are actually none). The charismatic Hahn happens to be the best thing on television right now, in a fall season fit for T.V. 

Closing up shop like 'The Old Man' last week and the 'Lord Of The Rings' 'Game Of Thrones' like 'Rings Of Power', it's all 'Agatha' versus 'The Penguin' now to go along with this Marvel and DC war. Our money may be on the waddle, but this witch still knows how to wave a wand. Especially with legends by her side. 'That 70s Show' and 'Friends' star Debra Jo Rupp reprising her 'WandaVision' role. 'Saturday Night Live' star Sasheer Zamata paving her own way on this witches road. 'Orange Is The New Black' star Ali Ahn setting herself free. And the great Patti LuPone of Broadway, the West End and musical theatre giving us perhaps the most showstopping moment of the season. But amongst classic cameos (no, not her) and other big names, it's Joe Locke (the Netflix 'Heartstopper') who locks it down with his crucial character and coming of age and stage performance that confirms him as a young hero for the new generation with avengance.

Legions of fans will be under this spell like they lived in a white picket fence American dream, as safe as suburbia, if your mind stone doesn't have vision. But there is always someone who comes along to spoil the broth and stir up the cauldron. Now Wanda is lost to a 'Multiverse Of Madness', the only one that could possibly match Hahn, charisma for charisma is the great Aubrey Plaza. Sure, she's been a Marvel before, in the legendary 'Legion', X-Men spin-off, but just wait until you see how many familiar faces make it into 'The Last Dance' of Venom, speaking of it being a mad multiverse. Besides, Kathryn Hahn already voiced an all new Doc Oc when she went animated, 'Into The Spider-Verse' with Miles Morales. There's so much Marvel, they have to double-up. And the amazing Aubrey really comes into her own, making a plaza of the powerhouse of a penultimate, epic episode that feels like a finale. No wonder they went two-by-two like Noah for this story arc. Like a 'Simpsons' short sideshow tells us, it really is the most wonderful time of the year, this spooky season. And Marvel Thrursday's are the new 'Wednesday'. This dark comedy fantasy is just the trick. A real treat. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'WandaVision', 'Werewolf By Night In Color', 'Hocus Pocus'.