Agatha All Along: The Origin of Agatha’s Darkhold Acquisition Explained
The latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Agatha All Along,”wrapped up its run on October 30, 2024. This dark comedy fantasy miniseries serves as a spin-off of “WandaVision”and features Kathryn Hahn in the role of the formidable Agatha Harkness, a witch with a history that dates back to the Salem witch trials.
The narrative centers on Agatha Harkness, who found herself ensnared in a magical spell within the town of Westview, New Jersey, at the conclusion of “WandaVision.”After breaking free, she sets out on a quest known as the Witches’ Road trials, seeking to regain her lost powers with the assistance of a goth teenager during the series’ debut episode.
Disclaimer: This article contains significant spoilers for “Agatha All Along.”
At the core of “Agatha All Along”lies the Darkhold, a mystical and perilous volume of spells. The series suggests Agatha has wielded the Darkhold for centuries, using it to amplify her abilities. There are subtle hints that she may have sacrificed her son, Nicholas Scratch, in exchange for the Darkhold.
Continue reading to discover more about the Darkhold’s role in “Agatha All Along.”
What is the Background of the Darkhold in Agatha All Along?
Within the MCU, the Darkhold is an immensely potent artifact, shrouded in secrets meant for bold witches and wiccans. Its origins stretch back to ancient eras. “WandaVision”leaves the details of Agatha’s acquisition of this powerful grimoire and her connections to dark sorcery largely unexplained.
The story of the Darkhold in “Agatha All Along”is closely linked to Agatha’s history, including the heartbreaking loss of her son, known as Nicky or Nicholas Scratch, alongside her relentless pursuit of power. The Darkhold is referenced on multiple occasions throughout the series. A notable moment occurs when Jennifer Kale (portrayed by Sasheer Zamata) tells Billy Maximoff (played by Joe Locke) that there are rumors regarding Agatha trading her son for the Darkhold.
Later in the series, Agatha perceives a vision of a cradle holding the Darkhold. Rio Vidal (played by Aubrey Plaza) implies that Agatha has committed grave acts against someone she cherished, hinting once again at her potential sacrifice of her son for the tome.
Ultimately, it is revealed that despite Agatha’s desperate efforts to save him for six years, Nicky succumbs to death, during which she resorts to stealing powers from other witches. Rio ultimately takes Nicky’s life, rendering Agatha powerless to intervene. The series does not further clarify how the Darkhold relates to Nicky’s tragic demise.
The Darkhold and Agatha’s Future
During the finale of “Agatha All Along,”Agatha’s deal with Rio costs her life, ultimately saving Billy. In an unexpected turn, Agatha reemerges as a ghost after the concluding confrontation, remaining as a spectral presence. She then visits Billy, leading them to agree that she will mentor him in harnessing his abilities and searching for his sibling, Tommy.
The conclusion fails to explain the fate of the Darkhold after Wanda obliterates it, as depicted in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.”As it stands, the book is left without a keeper.
In a flashback to the 1700s, Agatha is accused of practicing dark magic by her coven, which hints at her possible previous possession of the Darkhold. Narrative threads suggest her son’s potential sacrifice for the tome, yet the MCU has not definitively confirmed any of these theories, although comic lore does offer insights.
In the comics, Agatha attempts to recreate her own version of the Darkhold after its destruction by Wanda. She invokes Chaos Magic to initiate a ritual aimed at forging a new Darkhold, only to have her efforts interrupted by the Avengers.
This leads to a mishap, resulting in the emergence of a boy named Darkhold. Agatha and the child temporarily assume the roles of mother and son, but the boy eventually departs from her life. It remains unclear if the show will align with this narrative.
The season’s conclusion reinforces Agatha’s mentor-like role from the comics, with her ghostly existence suggesting potential involvement in future Marvel projects, whether through a second season or other series and films.
Watch “Agatha All Along”on Disney+.
Images Credit: Sportskeeda.com
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