Ever since show debuted, the internet spun itself into knots, trying to figure out who the WandaVision villain was.
Could it be Mojo? Mephisto? Or perhaps Professor Xavier trying to help Wanda get out of her head? Instead, it was Agatha Harkness (or Agnes as she’s known in WandaVision)—a peripheral character from the Marvel Universe that at least 90% of the viewers didn’t even know existed.
Agatha Harkness? Really?
Maybe we set the expectations a little high here, thinking that the MCU would treat its TV shows with the same seriousness it does the movie side of the business. After all the promises that this would kick-start the next phase of the MCU and rumours that huge characters would be introduced, WandaVision has served as nothing more than a filler between films.
It had the perfect opportunity to show it meant business by utilising a big villain from the comics, setting the pace and showing that anything can truly happen in an MCU property. Instead, the Agatha Harkness reveal proved that Marvel Studios is determined to keep the main course for the big screen, leaving the leftovers for Disney+.
Kathryn Hahn deserves more.
Make no mistake about it, this isn’t a slight against Kathryn Hahn, who’s a fantastic actress and been completely flawless in the part. But imagine if she’d been revealed as Mephisto rather than a character who may or may not be Sabrina Spellman’s aunt?
Yes, Agatha Harkness has a strong link to Scarlet Witch in the comics, but since the MCU tends to be allergic to the source material at the best of times, Hahn had a host of other (better) options here.
Doesn’t an actress of her calibre deserve something, well, more?
WandaVision is average at best.
Incredibly, WandaVision also seems to be immune to the criticism that would befall other series. It’s been a bang-average show at best—it tries too hard to be Legion‘s prettier cousin, but it has about as much charm as a plastic flower in a garden of roses. We’ve seen other shows and movies crucified because of fan expectations not being met, or failing to deliver on the teases. Yet, here, we have the “tastemakers” backpedalling to defend every bad decision. You don’t have to like everything that Lord Feige does, you know?
It’s no secret that WandaVision is loosely inspired by the “House of M” storyline, but it truly feels like it read the crib notes of the comics rather than understand the essence of it. The show had the potential to be something outstanding and to throw a blockbuster adversary into the mix, but it chose to be an intermission until the MCU’s “real” programming commences. Hopefully, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier isn’t more of the same…
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So first of all, we have no idea yet of Agatha Harkness isn‘t working for someone else behind the scenes. The plot has twisted more than once already. So perhaps you should wait for the last episode.
Second, Harkness is not a Thanos or Dormammu, but that is a good thing. You really want yet another villain who is trying to destroy and/or rule the universe? Or what is your criterion for what makes a great villain? Loki was a far more compelling villain than Thanos – not because he was more powerful, but because he had more facets and made for storylines that were not straightforward and predictable. I fear they will still introduce Mephisto in the next episode. I would be quite disappointed.
If they were just raising the stakes over and over, then they should have finished the MCU with Phase 3. Because if all they do is introduce a bigger villain in every phase, then it‘s going to get really old really soon.
But hey, apparently I am just a „tastemaker“ backpedalling and defending bad decisions, right? Because after all, anyone not sharing your opinion is just a doofus who will defend anything Feige does. Great way to say: „Sorry guys, I am right, you are wrong. If you think otherwise, you‘re a fanboy. Not interested in any discussion.“ Funny though that you call Harkness a peripheral character, but Mojo would have been good enough, apparently. Weird.
And I don‘t get your point that fan expectations are not being met. In fact, I am surprised that people aren‘t complaining about how the series is pandering to the hardcore fans. Introducing a character like Harkness that casual fans like you were not even aware of before is the epitome of fan service. Instead of saying that the series is not catering to the Marvel fans, you should be complaining that the series is not catering to casual fans by introducing one of the five Marvel villains you happen to know. I have been reading Marvel comics for over 40 years now, and while the MCU was a watered-down version of Marvel storylines and characters, made to appeal to a general audience, WandaVision is a hardcore fan‘s wet dream. I think that is why you don‘t like it.