If you’ve been following the Disney+ series WandaVision, you’ve likely been captivated by the quirky, sitcom-inspired narrative, with its delightful blend of reality-bending chaos and heartwarming humor. However, there was one particular moment in the show that sent fans into a frenzy - when Agatha Harkness, played by the ever-talented Kathryn Hahn, breaks out into a full-on musical number.
"Agatha All Along" became an instant hit, a catchy tune that not only showcased Hahn’s vocal chops but also provided a slew of hidden references to the Marvel Universe and WandaVision itself. As with any great Easter egg-filled scene, this musical number is loaded with nods to the comics, previous MCU installments, and the show’s own narrative. Let’s break down some of the most clever Easter eggs you might have missed in "Agatha All Along."
The "WandaVision" Homage
Right from the start, “Agatha All Along” serves as an affectionate homage to the very essence of WandaVision - and sitcoms themselves. If you’ve been watching the show, you know that each episode takes on the style of a different decade’s TV sitcom. The opening of “Agatha All Along” mirrors this by mimicking the theme song format that has been a hallmark throughout the show. The jazzy, retro-style opening with a catchy, almost burlesque rhythm feels like it could belong in the same world as I Love Lucy or Bewitched, two shows that WandaVision has notably referenced throughout its run.
The tune itself, along with Hahn’s playful performance, is also an intentional wink at these classic sitcoms. Agatha herself, in this musical moment, becomes the perfect sitcom villain, using her own version of a catchy theme song to taunt Wanda and everyone else in the audience, much like the over-the-top evil characters you’d see in vintage television.
Agatha's Familiar Costume and House
In the "Agatha All Along" sequence, Agatha’s costume and the surroundings of her home are filled with small but meaningful references to her comic book origin. Agatha Harkness, in Marvel Comics, is often depicted in her traditional witch-like attire - complete with a deep purple cloak and a necklace with a pendant resembling a crescent moon. You can spot elements of this costume in her more modern, off-the-shoulder purple outfit during her song. It's a sleek update that still nods to her traditional magical look from the comics.
Additionally, the setting of Agatha's house is loaded with references to her comic-book roots. The home itself, much like the character, is a blend of sinister and charming - designed with peculiar Gothic architecture. The large, ornate doors and the eerie, yet inviting, interior of the home evoke Agatha’s role as both a helper and a manipulator in the comics, showing her ability to both charm and control her surroundings. Fans of Agatha's darker history in the comics will recognize this as a subtle visual cue to her deeper, more complex personality.
The "It's Agatha All Along" Chorus
One of the most delightful features of "Agatha All Along" is the unexpected inclusion of a chorus. As Hahn’s Agatha sings the song, the show’s characters - who are usually caught up in their own dramas - suddenly become her backup singers, with Agatha manipulating the situation to fit her villainous narrative. One of the most fun Easter eggs here is the fact that the chorus vocals are performed by none other than the show’s composer, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and her husband Robert Lopez, who wrote the song for the episode. For music lovers and Disney fans, this is a nice little behind-the-scenes nugget, a way of weaving the creators into the fabric of the song.
For MCU fans, this chorus scene is also a cheeky nod to the way Agatha has subtly taken control of her surroundings. She’s not just playing the role of villain - she’s actively orchestrating everything in the series, pulling the strings behind the scenes to manipulate Wanda’s reality. This "chorus" element emphasizes Agatha’s control over the entire narrative, as though she’s turning WandaVision into her own twisted musical.
Her Signature Purple Magic
Another crucial Easter egg is Agatha’s distinct purple magic. Throughout the WandaVision series, magic is depicted in various colors, with Wanda’s signature power being red, representing chaos magic. Agatha, on the other hand, wields dark purple magic, which is visually important because it not only distinguishes her powers but also serves as a symbol of her villainous intentions. The purple hue, associated with the darker, more malevolent side of witchcraft in WandaVision, mirrors her true nature, which is slowly unveiled throughout the series.
In "Agatha All Along," purple magic is showcased when Agatha uses it to manipulate the residents of Westview and subtly control Wanda's mind. As she sings about her role in creating the chaos around the town, purple energy swirls in the background, reinforcing her dominion over the situation and her intent to stay in control. For fans who are already familiar with Agatha's magical abilities in the comics, this is a faithful reference to her power, as she is known for being a powerful witch in both Marvel lore and this adaptation.
The "Ralph Bohner" Twist
Possibly the most surprising Easter egg in "Agatha All Along" is the reveal of Ralph Bohner, who has been a key part of the mystery surrounding Agatha’s involvement in Westview. For much of the show, Agatha leads us to believe that her "husband," Ralph, is a mysterious character tied to the larger Marvel Universe, especially after the teasing reference to "Ralph" earlier in the series. Fans speculated that he could be a well-known Marvel character, such as Mephisto, given the show’s penchant for introducing big, mysterious players.
However, when the big reveal happens in the "Agatha All Along" sequence, Ralph Bohner is unmasked as a mere pawn in Agatha’s game. He’s played by Evan Peters, who famously portrayed Pietro Maximoff (aka Quicksilver) in the X-Men movies. This casting choice led fans to believe that Marvel might be introducing the X-Men universe into the MCU, but the reveal of Ralph Bohner as just a “townie” is a playful and meta commentary on fan theories. It also subverts expectations, offering a clever jab at the overblown speculations and hype surrounding Marvel's multiverse, all while remaining a humorous part of Agatha's storyline.
Hidden Messages
The lyrics of “Agatha All Along” are laced with clever nods to Agatha’s role in WandaVision. A particularly key line is when Agatha sings, "I killed Sparky too," referencing her darkly comic act of killing Wanda’s dog, Sparky. For those who’ve been watching the series closely, this moment is an ironic twist, as Agatha, who initially appeared to be playing the role of a helpful neighbor, is actually orchestrating much of the emotional devastation in Wanda’s life.
The song’s line “It was Agatha all along” directly addresses the show’s major mystery - Agatha’s manipulation of the events in Westview. The catchy chorus provides the revelation that Agatha has been pulling the strings behind Wanda’s entire reality, solidifying her role as the true antagonist. But it’s also fun because it’s delivered in a way that feels like a classic sitcom theme song, with a catchy tune masking the dark and sinister undertones of the lyrics.
Additionally, the song’s playful nature acts as an ironic counterpoint to the deep tragedy that Wanda has been experiencing. Agatha’s cheerful singing about her evil deeds serves as a sharp contrast to the grief and confusion Wanda has been navigating throughout the series, making the song both darkly humorous and emotionally poignant.
The "Hex" Power
While "Agatha All Along" isn’t shy about showcasing Agatha’s mischief and magic, it also contains an Easter egg for Marvel Comics fans. Agatha, in both the comics and the show, has long been associated with the concept of “hex magic” - a dark and ancient form of magic that can distort reality and influence probability. The show takes this concept and runs with it, especially in the visual representation of Agatha’s powers in WandaVision.
In the musical number, when Agatha manipulates reality and casts spells, it’s a subtle but significant nod to her hex magic powers. The phrase “hex” is also directly tied to Wanda, as it refers to the “Hex” that Agatha places around Westview to create the perfect “WandaVision.” By emphasizing this connection, WandaVision ties together the mystical elements of both Agatha’s and Wanda’s powers, while also giving a loving wink to comic book fans who know that Agatha’s ties to hex magic go back a long way in Marvel’s history.
A Masterclass in Hidden Details
"Agatha All Along" is one of the most memorable moments in WandaVision, packed to the brim with Easter eggs, inside jokes, and clever references to Marvel lore. From its catchy tune to its unexpected twists, the song exemplifies how WandaVision continuously engaged viewers with its intricate storytelling and layered details. Whether it’s Agatha’s purple magic, the Ralph Bohner twist, or the hidden messages within the lyrics, each element offers something new for both casual viewers and Marvel super-fans to discover. So next time you find yourself humming the infectious tune of “Agatha All Along,” take a closer listen - and see if you can uncover even more Easter eggs that you might have missed the first time around.
