WandaVision: What’s hidden in plain sight in episode 8

As the truth behind WandaVision is revealed at last, we take a closer look at some brand new clues and reexamine some old ones.

As a series, WandaVision, like Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) herself, knows how to pull off a magic act. Just when you think you’ve figured out how it’s doing it’s trick, the Disney Plus show does something completely unexpected which makes you question everything you’ve seen. Yours truly was so convinced about where this miniseries was heading that he was completely unprepared for the twists and turns in this penultimate episode. All those elaborate theories? Whoosh! There they go, right into the fire. And not hellfire either, since it seems neither Mephisto nor any devil of any sort was involved with what’s been happening in Westview.

But WandaVision’s eighth episode, entitled “Previously On…”, did give Marvel fans plenty of new things to be dazzled by, and also brought several previous clues into sharper focus. While there’s still plenty enough questions to be answered (Just who is “Fietro” really?) We now have a clearer understanding of what happened to Westview, and both Wanda and Agatha Harkness’ (Kathryn Hahn) role in what happened. So, like the episode itself, let’s rewind back though at some of the key moments (and remember, there’s SPOILERS) and what they could possibly mean as we move towards the finale.

“Mors Monstru Naturale” in WandaVision

So remember that musical montage from last episode telling us how “It was Agatha all along”? Well, it seems that little number may been chalk full of little white lies. Because Agatha Harkness may not actually be as much of a villain that WandaVision painted her out to be. Turns out Wanda, not Agatha, really was the person who turned Westview into Pleasantville. Moreover, it seems Agatha was trying to gauge the true nature of Wanda’s powers and determine just how dangerous she actually was. And seems that her motives for doing this tie directly into this episode’s prologue.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, 1693, Agatha is put on trial by her own coven for harnessing dark magic. Yet Agatha insists (or perhaps lies) that she’s not in control of her abilities, and begs her mother (Kate Forbes) for help and to teach her. What’s particularly interesting here is Agatha’s mother looks and acts more in-line with Agatha from the comics. In fact, according to comic book Agatha’s backstory, she and her coven hunted down fellow witches during the Salem Witch Trials as a kind of extreme practice of “survival of the fittest.” Note, too, how Agatha’s mother develops a “crown” that’s reminiscent of the one Wanda wears as the Scarlet Witch in the comics.

Also, in the comics, Agatha keeps a very close eye on those with incredible, magic-like powers, often going to extreme lengths to make sure they don’t lose control. Such was the case with Wanda, and also Franklin Richards, the son of Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards and Susan Storm.

WandaVision’s Agatha is no different in this regard. Despite her very questionable methods, she’s forcing Wanda to face past traumas and suppressed memories as a means of getting to the truth behind her powers. Since this version of Agatha also knows what it’s like to wield unchecked magical powers, this would also make her empathize with Wanda more. And better understand why Wanda needs to be stopped.