WandaVision: 5 Questions Made By The Agatha Harkness Twist

WandaVision's long-predicted reveal of Agatha Harkness poses even more questions than it does answers. Kathryn Hahn's nosy neighbor character was named Agnes in the Disney+ series' early episodes and marketing material but had been rumored to really be the MCU's version of Scarlet Witch's mentor and occasional antagonist, Agatha Harkness, from the very beginning. Yet despite WandaVision episode 7's confirmation of her identity, Agatha's larger role in the story (and in Westview's plight) still remains murky.

Thanks to the catchy "Agatha All Along" musical number and accompanying montage showing some of Agatha's off-camera machinations while Wanda and Vision were playing out their sitcom fantasy, we now know that she has been playing some sort of long-game. Introduced early into the series' premiere, Agatha has loomed large in the narrative, always there for Wanda just in the knick of time and seemingly a little too involved in her life and the lives of her family members. While all of the other residents of Westview remain fully mind-controlled, Agatha has shown a little more agency, such as breaking character to do a second take of a scene in WandaVision episode 5. In the most recent chapter of WandaVision, it's revealed why. After Wanda stumbles upon Agatha's eerie dungeon-like basement, Agatha reveals that she is a fellow "magical girl."

Magic and mysticism have not been explored as frequently as other branches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which, in the Infinity Saga, usually concerned itself with science or space-centered stories (the major exception being Doctor Strange). But given the number of projects that have been announced for the MCU Phase 4's slate, it appears as though both sorcery and multiverse shenanigans will be a major part of the overarching plot, namely in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - the film in which Wanda is set to appear next. WandaVision, which seems to serve as a bridge to more mystical MCU entries, will therefore be responsible for clarifying some rules of magic-wielding. Answering some of these questions about Agatha and her motivations could help establish the limits of magic, detail how it is acquired, and possibly reveal some other evil being still lurking in the shadows.

Where is Evan Peter's Quicksilver from?

WandaVision Episode 5 - Evan Peters as Quicksilver

Fans were surprised and intrigued by Evan Peters' appearance at the end of WandaVision episode 5 and its possible ties with the opening of Marvel's multiverse. Prior to Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the actor played a version of the character in the X-Men franchise, so many viewers wondered if this was the same Quicksilver who somehow found his way into the MCU, perhaps summoned by a grieving Wanda (Marvel Studio's first Quicksilver, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, was killed off in Avengers: Age of Ultron). However, in WandaVision episode 7's concluding musical montage, there is a shot in which it appears that Agatha is either responsible for Quicksilver's entrance into the series or else controlling him with her purple swirly magic.

There are a few options to explain Pietro's presence. Perhaps it was Agatha who was able to use her abilities to pull Fox's version of Quicksilver out of the Multiverse, mind-controlling him and using him as a puppet. It is also possible that he was somehow fabricated by Agatha with her magic, intended as an illusion to placate or distract Wanda. Another option, though unlikely, is that Peters is simply playing an ordinary resident of Westview, drafted into the sitcom narrative while Kevin Feige and the show's creators play a little meta-joke with its audience. Regardless, knowing that this Pietro is somehow tied to Agatha's motivations makes his interrogation of Wanda in episode 6 all the more disquieting. Clearly, Agatha is trying to learn more about Scarlet Witch, her potential and in all likelihood, her weaknesses.

Where are Billy and Tommy?

Kathryn Hahn as Agnes Agatha Harkness Julian Hilliard as Billy Maximoff Jett Klyne as Tommy Maximoff WandaVision

Since their mysterious and rapid arrival to Westview, the twins have had an interesting relationship with their family friend Agnes. Agatha has been tied to Tommy and Billy at various points in the episodes, present each time they aged themselves up and even being listed with them in the opening Malcolm in the Middle-like credits of WandaVision episode 6. Most recently, Agatha offered to watch the kids while Wanda (channeling her best Julie Bowen from Modern Family) enjoyed a day of rest and relaxation. During their time at Agatha's house, Billy has a cryptic exchange with their babysitter, noting, "You're quiet, Agnes...on the inside," presumably referring to her thoughts that he should be able to read with his telepathy. When Wanda is ushered by Agnes into the house after her exchange with Monica, she finds that her boys are missing and, though Agatha suggests they are playing in the basement, all Wanda finds is the creepy vine-covered lair.

The chilling disappearance of Tommy and Billy could end up referencing a few plotlines from the pages of Marvel comics. In continuity, the boys were eventually revealed to be manifestations of Wanda's reality-bending powers, brought into existence with her magic but vanishing occasionally when she was not consciously focusing on them. Therefore, it is possible that Wanda, now distracted by the Westview's crumbling facade and her troubles with Vision, is having trouble keeping the boys alive. The comics later retconned the twins as fragments of the demon Mephisto's soul, who (in short) reabsorbed them. Given the devil and hell imagery that has surrounded Agatha throughout WandaVision, maybe the boys have been somehow used to empower Mephisto, making the "for the children" chant from earlier episodes all the more disquieting.

How Much Agency Does Wanda Have in the Hex?

WandaVision Agatha Mind Controlling Wanda

Though the first few episodes of WandaVision seem to emphasize Wanda's denial of a reality in which her synthezoid lover is dead, it becomes increasingly clear that she has some level of awareness of (and control over) what is going on. When Geraldine/Monica Rambeau begins to shake off her mind-control in episode 3, Wanda forcefully banishes her from the Hex. Two episodes later, Wanda emerges from the bubble to challenge S.W.O.R.D. and Director Hayward, threatening them to leave her and her newly forged family alone. A far throw from trying to hide her powers as she did during episode 2's talent show sequence, Wanda is now using her abilities openly while townsfolk watch nonchalantly.

However, it seems as though Wanda has some mysteries of her own to unravel. In her argument with Vision at the end of WandaVision episode 5, Wanda claims she doesn't remember how any of it started and, moments later, appears shaken and surprised by her recast brother's arrival. Notably, Norm (awoken from his spell) begs to "stop her," but never mentions Wanda's name directly. Is it possible that he is actually referring to Agatha, who we see at the end of WandaVision episode 7 seems able to tap into minds, as well?

Monica Rambeau notes that her experience in the Hex was both "painful" and "violating," capitalizing on her grief and trauma. Perhaps Wanda is more of a victim than she is a tormentor, manipulated by Agatha or a more imposing being whom she serves. In "Breaking the Fourth Wall," an unseen mockumentary director (who is actually Agatha with Hahn's voice pitch-shifted down) asks Wanda, "Do you think maybe this is what you deserve?" The moment is one of the show's most jarring and chilling to date, making it feel as though, regardless of her reality-bending abilities and apparent agency, Wanda's reaction is that of a person stuck in purgatory.

Does Agatha Want to Drive Wanda and Vision Apart?

After their children were born, the divide between Wanda and Vision has been steadily growing. It's starting to appear as though Agatha may be manipulating the lovers with her magic in an attempt to drive them apart. Vision first appears to grow suspicious of the sitcom Wonderland after an odd exchange with Herb, who was revealed to have been under Agatha's spell in the "Agatha All Along" sequence. Agatha also drew Vision's attention to Geraldine/Monica, leading to him questioning Wanda about her unexplained departure from their home, only contributing to his growing distrust of his wife.

More recently, Pietro has stepped in to assume a quasi-parental role during the family's Halloween excursion, allowing for Vision to explore Westview and stumble upon residents closer to the borders of the Hex. After seeing people frozen or "glitching," he notices Agatha's car, conveniently stopped near the edge of the town. In "Agatha All Along!" it is implied that she was play-acting, causing Vision to venture out of the Hex to the world beyond, an action that nearly ripped him apart. After connecting with Darcy after she is brought within the Hex, they encounter a number of traffic impediments, which they assume are manifested by Wanda. But what if it is really Agatha trying to keep the Avengers power couple apart?

What's The Book In Agatha's Basement?

After Wanda's eerie descent down Agatha's basement steps, she discovers an array of mysterious items, including an ancient book surrounded by an odd orange energy. In the MCU, Doctor Strange introduced fans to an entire library of magical texts, leaving little doubt that this is a similar book of rituals or powerful spells. Thanks to Marvel's comics continuity, there are many possibilities as to what this book could be. One suggestion is the Necronomicon, a tome of black magic which was detested by Scarlet Witch - although Doctor Strange had a copy of it. This could also be the Darkhold, a book constructed out of dark matter from the Hell Dimension and also full of dark spells (the Darkhold was seen previously in Agents of SHIELD). The book could also be an amalgam of ancient texts from the pages of the comics.

The book, which has a design that seems to feature two keys on the cover, could be used to "unlock" the Multiverse, which may explain Evan Peters' Quicksilver turning up at Wanda and Vision's doorstep. The spellbook could also be used to make sense of Vision's rebirth after his death in Avengers: Infinity War. Notably, the energy surrounding is reminiscent of the orange Soul Stone. Could this indicate that it was used to somehow locate and bring back Vision's soul to his body or else help to explain where Billy and Tommy really came from?

Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige and WandaVision's showrunner Jac Shaeffer have really taken many risks with Disney+'s first superhero-focused original series, which is easily the MCU's most experimental project to date. So far, the show executed its mystery box formula with finesse, keeping the story engaging despite the long-list of still unanswered questions. While the twist that Agnes is actually Agatha Harkness was a bit predictable, it is a testament to the show that many fans left WandaVision episode 7 still craving more.

Next: Marvel Theory: Endgame Set Up Agatha Harkness In WandaVision