'Agatha All Along' Season 1 Episode 6 “Familiar By Thy Side” Spoiler-Free Review
Image Source: Marvel
In the sixth episode of Agatha All Along, “Familiar by Thy Side,” fortunes have been divined, and riddles are being unraveled. Like a skilled tarot reader slowly turning over the cards of destiny, this episode reveals secrets and leads viewers to several Marvel connections. This episode has major tie-ins to WandaVision, so if you haven't seen that before Agatha All Along, be sure to do that first. A couple of special guests return, and you’ll definitely want the specifics of the events during Wanda’s time in Westview in mind when watching this episode of Agatha All Along.
Both WandaVision and Agatha All Along have taken an interesting approach, with every episode serving as a nostalgic call back to a variety of genres, even to specific recognizable shows and movies. The ‘80s horror movie vibes featured in last week’s episode of Agatha All Along segues well into the Teen-focused episode this week. John Locke, who plays Teen, has hinted at Episodes 5 and 6 as the start of more excitement: “I think people were expecting this to be the season's big reveal. But, strap yourselves in, because there’s a lot more to come.”
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Despite having less “present-day” screen time in this episode, Kathryn Hahn continues to embody the brilliance of Agatha Harkness. Some clever “refilming” of Episode 1 gives the audience a new perspective on her introduction to Teen. Several hints were dropped early on in the series that are beginning to come full circle. Seeing these events from another point of view now allows the audience to form new predictions for the rest of Agatha All Along.
There are wonderful shout-outs to the fantasy and witchy media that helped bring Agatha All Along to life in the background of multiple scenes. Jac Schaeffer, showrunner, has mentioned that her inspirational “touchstones for the show [include] Wizard of Oz, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal, The Never Ending Story, and Princess Bride.” In addition to in-universe references, like Lorna Wu, there are notable props for The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and The Craft, among others.
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After last week's emotional episode, this one, while certainly emotional at times, presents more like a “typical” Marvel story. It’s quite reminiscent of Captain Marvel or Lost in its pacing and time spent on backstories. The limited time spent on The Road and with the witches makes the flashbacks feel disconnected from the “present-day” narrative. An alternative approach might have revealed bits and pieces of Teen’s past earlier in the season, leaving only one or two major flashbacks for this episode.
While Agatha All Along’s sixth episode answers some questions, viewers are left hungry for even more. “Familiar by Thy Side” showcases amazing talent, intriguing writing, and fresh anticipation for the rest of the season. As we predicted a few weeks ago, not all of the episodes will have a trial, but there could still have been more time spent on the coven’s adventures. There are three episodes to go, and we can’t wait to see where The Road leads the witches next!
Rating: 9/10
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