Thursday, 11 February 2021 20:18

Did WandaVision Episode 6 Finally Solve The Agnes Mystery?

Written by Sabrina Bellissimo
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Breaking down Agnes' appearances in the series leading up to her major scene in episode six could help answer the question of who she is.

The following contains spoilers for WandaVision episode 6.

Along with its Avenger leads, the Disney Plus Marvel series WandaVision boasts a cast of fun and interesting supporting characters. One of the fan favorites has turned out to be Agnes, one of Wanda and Vision's neighbors in the town of Westview. Played by experienced actress Kathryn Hahn, Agnes is the best over the top sitcom neighbor in every decade. Her comedic timing paired with nuanced character beats makes her enjoyable to watch every time she is on screen.

However, it's possible that there's more to Agnes than meets the eye. Fans have theorized since her first appearance that Agnes is actually Agatha Harkness, a powerful witch from the Marvel comics. Capable of manipulating magical energy in the universe, Agatha Harkness certainly could have the power to help Wanda manipulate the reality of Westview and maintain the sitcom universe.

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In the sixth episode of WandaVision, entitled "All-New Halloween Spooktacular," it appears that Agnes is under the same mind control as the rest of Westview. If she is just as trapped as everyone else in town, does that mean it's now confirmed that Agnes is not helping Wanda or controlling her? Does it mean that she is not Agatha Harkness? Breaking down Agnes' appearances in the series leading up to her major scene in episode six could help answer these questions.

Agnes is introduced in episode one of WandaVision, introducing herself to Wanda when she and Vision first "move in" to the neighborhood. She immediately befriends Wanda and becomes the stereotypical intrusive sitcom neighbor, inserting herself in their lives and inviting herself over.

She's over the top and appears to be comedically oblivious to Wanda and Vision's hijinks. She also has a habit of appearing at very specific times, often conveniently bringing over exactly what Wanda needs at that moment. While this could be playing up an old sitcom trope in an exaggerated way, it definitely is notable that it's always Agnes, especially in hindsight.

This episode provides one of the earliest looks at the cracks in Westview. In this episode, Vision comes across Herb and Agnes gossiping outside his house while Wanda is inside with "Geraldine." For the first time, Agnes and Herb seem to realize there is something off in Westview, specifically with Geraldine, who audiences later learn is actually SWORD agent Monica Rambeau. They tell Vision they have suspicions about Geraldine, pointing out that she isn't only new in town, but she "doesn't have a home." Herb says "she came here because we're all.." before Agnes shushes him, and they soon get back into character.

Also notable is that Agnes is wearing a necklace in this episode that has a pendant with three figures on it, which she wore in the first two episodes in brooch form. One of the figures appears to be carrying a scythe, as is typical of the anthropomorphized figure of death. This could be a hint as to Agnes' identity.

In this episode, Darcy Lewis and FBI agent Jimmy Woo realize the inhabitants of the town of Westview are all the real population of the real town in New Jersey, trapped in this sitcom universe with Wanda and Vision. They get to work identifying the townspeople, listing out the real names of the cast of supporting characters, including Herb, Norm, Jones, and Vision's boss and his wife.

Notably, while Agnes' picture is on their wall as one of the main cast, she has not been identified. This omission is definitely intentional, and brings up the question of whether Agnes really is an original inhabitant of Westview. She could have entered the force field after the fact, as Monica did, or been visiting when she got trapped, among other possibilities.

Agnes is back as the invasive sitcom neighbor in this episode, this time letting herself into the Maximoff house while they're trying to get the twins to sleep. She offers to help calm the babies and when Wanda turns her down, Agnes seems lost and confused; "Do you want me to take it again?" she asks, as if they were filming a scene in a TV show. When Wanda is still confused, Agnes says "Should we just take it from the top?" seeming again to be aware that this is not real life.

Wanda gives in and Agnes is right back to her exaggerated sitcom persona, not even questioning when the baby twins age themselves up to five-year-olds and later ten-year-olds. She is also the character who finds Billy and Tommy's dog when it dies, and when the twins tell Wanda to fix it, Agnes asks "You can do that?" in a tone that is more awed than confused. It's unclear why at some points in this episode, Agnes shows more awareness than she has previously. She does defer to Wanda, knowing to some extent that she is the one in control.

In the most recent episode of WandaVision, Vision comes across Agnes' car stopped at the edge of town, not far from the barrier between Westview and the outside world. She tells Vision she took a wrong turn and got lost, and being confused, he touches her head to awaken her the way he did Norm in episode five. Agnes suddenly recognizes Vision as one of the Avengers, asking if he "is here to help us," but Vision has no idea who the Avengers are, distressing Agnes. She asks, "Am I dead?" and tells Vision she asked that because he, himself, is dead. When Vision tells her he wants to leave she says, "How? No one leaves, Wanda won't even let us think about it. All is lost," and she cackles.

While this does debunk the theory that Agnes is in control of Wanda or somehow helping her, it is still very likely Agnes is the witch, Agatha Harkness. There are many meaningful Halloween costumes in the episode; Vision, Pietro, and Wanda wear their classic comic costumes, while Tommy--"Speed" in the comics--wears the Quicksilver costume and Billy wears the costume he wears as Wiccan in the comics. Agnes, meanwhile, is dressed like a witch. Additionally, most of the inhabitants at the edge of town that Vision passed by were frozen and unable to speak to him, but Agnes could respond and later drive away. Is it possible that Agnes still is Agatha Harkness, and somehow found herself just as trapped as the rest of Westview? Why was she in Westview, and could that have to do with why this town was chosen? Only time will tell.

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