Agatha All Along: Familiar by Thy Side
October 16, 2024 6:49 PM - Season 1, Episode 6 - Subscribe
Familiar Teen is much more than he seems, and his connections to the rest of the coven are revealed.
What a Locke-tober treat.
Where in Paramus is Bohner doing his one man show? At the Grand Lux Cafe in the Garden State Plaza? Enquiring minds want to know.
(And how delightfully infuriating to tease comic book readers by not giving “boyfriend” a name!)
posted by bcwinters at 7:12 PM on October 16 [1 favorite]
Where in Paramus is Bohner doing his one man show? At the Grand Lux Cafe in the Garden State Plaza? Enquiring minds want to know.
(And how delightfully infuriating to tease comic book readers by not giving “boyfriend” a name!)
posted by bcwinters at 7:12 PM on October 16 [1 favorite]
Am loving that Teen is Unambiguously and definitively Gay, and hope Disney don't screw this up.
posted by Faintdreams at 7:24 PM on October 16 [2 favorites]
posted by Faintdreams at 7:24 PM on October 16 [2 favorites]
The Bergen Mall used to have a theater, but that closed a long time ago.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:22 AM on October 17
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:22 AM on October 17
This episode made me want to immediately rewatch the first one! I loved how “Agnes of Westview” had Kathryn engaging in award-winning prestige TV acting, but to Billy’s eyes it was clownish and over the top. I swear Joe was about to break during that “Don’t poke the bear” exchange.
(And how delightfully infuriating to tease comic book readers by not giving “boyfriend” a name!)
Didn’t Mr. Kaplan say “No Eddie?” when Billy came home from meeting Mr. Bohnerriffic?
posted by ejs at 5:58 AM on October 17 [6 favorites]
(And how delightfully infuriating to tease comic book readers by not giving “boyfriend” a name!)
Didn’t Mr. Kaplan say “No Eddie?” when Billy came home from meeting Mr. Bohnerriffic?
posted by ejs at 5:58 AM on October 17 [6 favorites]
For an episode that barely nudges the main plot along, there’s quite a lot—I may have to rewatch this one.
Yes, this.
The episode felt like filler plot wise, but it was very much not filler in terms of illustrating what Billy's been through. My favorite was that Billy been in William's body for 3 years, so he's definitely had to grow up a lot while still keeping up the charade. He's had to pretend and maintain that his current family is his only family while knowing that he has another one and he can't talk about it to anyone. That explains the odd mix of maturity and immaturity that pops up in Teen and gives the name 'Teen' even more meaning. Very well done.
I believe that was the first kiss between two males in the MCU and it was great, especially for how it wasn't a big deal, felt very natural.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:06 AM on October 17 [4 favorites]
Yes, this.
The episode felt like filler plot wise, but it was very much not filler in terms of illustrating what Billy's been through. My favorite was that Billy been in William's body for 3 years, so he's definitely had to grow up a lot while still keeping up the charade. He's had to pretend and maintain that his current family is his only family while knowing that he has another one and he can't talk about it to anyone. That explains the odd mix of maturity and immaturity that pops up in Teen and gives the name 'Teen' even more meaning. Very well done.
I believe that was the first kiss between two males in the MCU and it was great, especially for how it wasn't a big deal, felt very natural.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:06 AM on October 17 [4 favorites]
Just saw a TikTok that said that the Hebrew verse William reads is about the firey smiting of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu.
Didn’t Mr. Kaplan say “No Eddie?” when Billy came home from meeting Mr. Bohnerriffic?
Oops, you’re right! He did. My bad.
The Bergen Mall used to have a theater, but that closed a long time ago.
Lol, my own personal Witches’ Road* was the basement in the Bergen Mall.
* terrifying place I had to walk through to get comic books
posted by bcwinters at 6:26 AM on October 17 [6 favorites]
Didn’t Mr. Kaplan say “No Eddie?” when Billy came home from meeting Mr. Bohnerriffic?
Oops, you’re right! He did. My bad.
The Bergen Mall used to have a theater, but that closed a long time ago.
Lol, my own personal Witches’ Road* was the basement in the Bergen Mall.
* terrifying place I had to walk through to get comic books
posted by bcwinters at 6:26 AM on October 17 [6 favorites]
Rio (Plaza) is still 100% MIA ?
Our household noted that when Rio disappeared, Agatha's behavior got very Rio-like -- I'm not sure the Agatha who left the last trial is actually Agatha, but possibly Rio in disguise.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:52 AM on October 17 [4 favorites]
Our household noted that when Rio disappeared, Agatha's behavior got very Rio-like -- I'm not sure the Agatha who left the last trial is actually Agatha, but possibly Rio in disguise.
posted by AzraelBrown at 7:52 AM on October 17 [4 favorites]
I think of episode 7 on a series to be the canonical place for the inevitable flashback episode in a streaming series, but it worked out well to have it in episode 6, here.
I'm guessing Marvel TV doesn't need to worry as much about international markets as mainstream MCU stuff does, so they can show all the gayness. I was worrying when there was so much implication between Agatha and Rio without actually showing kisses, but then this episode came along.
posted by rmd1023 at 10:12 AM on October 17 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing Marvel TV doesn't need to worry as much about international markets as mainstream MCU stuff does, so they can show all the gayness. I was worrying when there was so much implication between Agatha and Rio without actually showing kisses, but then this episode came along.
posted by rmd1023 at 10:12 AM on October 17 [1 favorite]
they're losing me... i never really cared about Wanda's kids (throw the grieving mom/wife defined by kids. husband on the pile of overdone stories I'm tired of) and was angry about the way MoM undid her growth in Wandavision (because they changed the order of release without retrofitting the story). i want Agatha to be about Agatha and Rio not the Teen. going to watch of course, but def not the story i was hoping for.
posted by kokaku at 3:03 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]
posted by kokaku at 3:03 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]
There was a Goonies-like poster for the "Goofballs" in William Kaplan's room.
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 7:22 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]
posted by Monday, stony Monday at 7:22 PM on October 17 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing Marvel TV doesn't need to worry as much about international markets as mainstream MCU stuff does, so they can show all the gayness
Huh, and here I was assuming the "no gays" bit was a straight* domestic requirement
* heh
posted by coriolisdave at 7:41 PM on October 17
Huh, and here I was assuming the "no gays" bit was a straight* domestic requirement
* heh
posted by coriolisdave at 7:41 PM on October 17
I'm guessing Marvel TV doesn't need to worry as much about international markets as mainstream MCU stuff does, so they can show all the gayness
Huh, and here I was assuming the "no gays" bit was a straight* domestic requirement
IIRC, there was a gay character in Eternals who even had an on-screen kiss with his partner, but in a way that could be very easily excised for international markets (read: China, mostly) where that wouldn't fly. They might have done something similar for overdubbing Joe Russo's lines in the group therapy scene in Endgame.
So this, where you really can't lose the kiss without losing a lot of the story here, is a pretty big step for the MCU, I think. And gives hope for the Agatha/Rio shippers.
Speaking of Rio! Billy's story touched on Lilia, Alice, Jennifer, Agatha, and even Sharon/Mrs. Hart. But never on Rio. More than that, when he shows up at Agatha's house, it's when she's in a scene with Rio from Episode 1, but we only see or even hear Agatha's side of it.
I think that Rio is, let's say, far more tangible on the Road than in our world, where it takes someone like Agatha to really perceive her there. And I think that's because Rio is Death. (This isn't a novel theory, I don't think, but watching for it now, I think it holds up with everything we've seen of her so far.)
posted by Navelgazer at 8:28 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
Huh, and here I was assuming the "no gays" bit was a straight* domestic requirement
IIRC, there was a gay character in Eternals who even had an on-screen kiss with his partner, but in a way that could be very easily excised for international markets (read: China, mostly) where that wouldn't fly. They might have done something similar for overdubbing Joe Russo's lines in the group therapy scene in Endgame.
So this, where you really can't lose the kiss without losing a lot of the story here, is a pretty big step for the MCU, I think. And gives hope for the Agatha/Rio shippers.
Speaking of Rio! Billy's story touched on Lilia, Alice, Jennifer, Agatha, and even Sharon/Mrs. Hart. But never on Rio. More than that, when he shows up at Agatha's house, it's when she's in a scene with Rio from Episode 1, but we only see or even hear Agatha's side of it.
I think that Rio is, let's say, far more tangible on the Road than in our world, where it takes someone like Agatha to really perceive her there. And I think that's because Rio is Death. (This isn't a novel theory, I don't think, but watching for it now, I think it holds up with everything we've seen of her so far.)
posted by Navelgazer at 8:28 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
Oh, and the Lorna Wu version of The Ballad did not disappoint in all of it's 1970's cheesiness. I appreciated that.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:30 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 8:30 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
I liked how Billy’s quest is to find/save Tommy, not Wanda or Vision. Billy was a secondary character, and he wants to help his brother, another secondary character. Small but vital stakes are great!
I also liked how they incorporated the Hex, Lilia, and Alice into William’s last day/Billy’s first day, though I wish they had worked harder on bringing Jennifer into the pre-coven.
Also: Why did Lilia put the sigil on Billy? What advantage was there in making sure no witch knew his name? I know a lot can happen in the last few episodes, and this may yet be explained. (Theory: Lilia knew that Billy would get them to the end of the Witches’ Road* and it could only happen if Agatha didn’t know who he was at first)
*As edencosmic said last week, I assume everyone who dies will come back by the end
posted by ejs at 8:35 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
I also liked how they incorporated the Hex, Lilia, and Alice into William’s last day/Billy’s first day, though I wish they had worked harder on bringing Jennifer into the pre-coven.
Also: Why did Lilia put the sigil on Billy? What advantage was there in making sure no witch knew his name? I know a lot can happen in the last few episodes, and this may yet be explained. (Theory: Lilia knew that Billy would get them to the end of the Witches’ Road* and it could only happen if Agatha didn’t know who he was at first)
*As edencosmic said last week, I assume everyone who dies will come back by the end
posted by ejs at 8:35 PM on October 17 [2 favorites]
Also: Why did Lilia put the sigil on Billy? What advantage was there in making sure no witch knew his name? I know a lot can happen in the last few episodes, and this may yet be explained. (Theory: Lilia knew that Billy would get them to the end of the Witches’ Road* and it could only happen if Agatha didn’t know who he was at first)
I imagine we'll get more on this - Patti LuPone's performance in that scene blew me away for all of the internal tragic horror she was holding back from expressing. And maybe it was simply a case of trying to make herself unsee what she had just seen in his future for her own mental health.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:01 PM on October 17 [6 favorites]
I imagine we'll get more on this - Patti LuPone's performance in that scene blew me away for all of the internal tragic horror she was holding back from expressing. And maybe it was simply a case of trying to make herself unsee what she had just seen in his future for her own mental health.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:01 PM on October 17 [6 favorites]
I'm now starting to wonder just how much of what we've seen, specifically on The Witches Road, is "real" or whether it is something created by Billy/William much like Wanda did to Westview.
posted by KingEdRa at 9:10 PM on October 17 [6 favorites]
posted by KingEdRa at 9:10 PM on October 17 [6 favorites]
We've finally got Billy into the MCU (c'mon, Young Avengers) and he's looking for Tommy too. Now all I need to happen is for Rio to actually be...
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 11:38 PM on October 17
...MCU Blackheart.
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 11:38 PM on October 17
So this, where you really can't lose the kiss without losing a lot of the story here, is a pretty big step for the MCU, I think. And gives hope for the Agatha/Rio shippers.
Huge! Any queer fan of Marvel has been disappointed so many times.
posted by ellieBOA at 4:15 AM on October 18 [3 favorites]
Huge! Any queer fan of Marvel has been disappointed so many times.
posted by ellieBOA at 4:15 AM on October 18 [3 favorites]
I thought that an episode or two ago, it was stated, or implied, that Rio had walked the Witches' Road with Agatha last time? Teen's internet search (which is surely reliable) identified Agatha as the only known survivor of the Witches' Road. Also, Teen didn't encounter Rio this episode like the rest of the coven, but he did run into Mrs. Hart. I'm leaning towards Rio being a personification of some kind - the Road, Death, or maybe Agatha's power?
This show will probably reward rewatching.
posted by mersen at 5:33 AM on October 18 [1 favorite]
This show will probably reward rewatching.
posted by mersen at 5:33 AM on October 18 [1 favorite]
Did anyone else notice that the heart emoji Boyf used to text Billy was a black heart?
posted by Karmakaze at 6:26 AM on October 18 [7 favorites]
posted by Karmakaze at 6:26 AM on October 18 [7 favorites]
The use of the Black heart to me is a big indicator that Agatha and Billy are the only 'Real' things on the Witches road.
Billy might have manifested the entire thing the same way Wanda did with the original Westview Bubble.
There were multiple pointers in William / Billy / Teen's teenage backstory episode
- Alice Wu as Policewoman (and possibly bar mitzvah DJ?)
- Boyfriend using black Heart Emojii
- Teen (as we the audience) never see Rio until the road.
- Before the road, Agatha is the only one to interact with Rio but that could just mean Rio is solely in Agatha's head.
- Sharon Hart almost runs over / has her car door run into - Teen during Agatha chase
- Ralph Boner (Evan Peters), and the Westview Hex Dome seemingly having been a real phenomenon
- Lila meeting Billy / William palm reading at the Mitzvah and placing the Hex on him in a (seeming) fugue state
- Billy's Magic manifesting right after he lost his spellbook ...
Teenage Bedroom:
- The Wizard of Oz References
- 70's Witches ballad
- During internet search Teen sees ad for Jennifer Kale (potions Witch)
- Various other things that made me go 'oh' but I'd need a rewatch to pinpoint them all ...
posted by Faintdreams at 7:17 AM on October 18 [5 favorites]
Billy might have manifested the entire thing the same way Wanda did with the original Westview Bubble.
There were multiple pointers in William / Billy / Teen's teenage backstory episode
- Alice Wu as Policewoman (and possibly bar mitzvah DJ?)
- Boyfriend using black Heart Emojii
- Teen (as we the audience) never see Rio until the road.
- Before the road, Agatha is the only one to interact with Rio but that could just mean Rio is solely in Agatha's head.
- Sharon Hart almost runs over / has her car door run into - Teen during Agatha chase
- Ralph Boner (Evan Peters), and the Westview Hex Dome seemingly having been a real phenomenon
- Lila meeting Billy / William palm reading at the Mitzvah and placing the Hex on him in a (seeming) fugue state
- Billy's Magic manifesting right after he lost his spellbook ...
Teenage Bedroom:
- The Wizard of Oz References
- 70's Witches ballad
- During internet search Teen sees ad for Jennifer Kale (potions Witch)
- Various other things that made me go 'oh' but I'd need a rewatch to pinpoint them all ...
posted by Faintdreams at 7:17 AM on October 18 [5 favorites]
What if the real Witch's Road is just the frenemies we made along the way?
posted by KingEdRa at 8:36 AM on October 18 [2 favorites]
posted by KingEdRa at 8:36 AM on October 18 [2 favorites]
What if the real Witch's Road is just the frenemies we made along the way?
I think it's more about the frenemies you lose along the way, tbh.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:37 AM on October 18 [2 favorites]
I think it's more about the frenemies you lose along the way, tbh.
posted by Navelgazer at 8:37 AM on October 18 [2 favorites]
Or the frenemies you put in the ground.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:23 AM on October 18 [3 favorites]
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:23 AM on October 18 [3 favorites]
*sigh* Who is Ralph Boneriffic, please? I do not remember this dude at all. Yes, I looked up he was in WandaVision, but what did he do there that I'm supposed to recall?
Otherwise, very interesting episode.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:18 AM on October 20 [1 favorite]
Otherwise, very interesting episode.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:18 AM on October 20 [1 favorite]
Ralph Bohner was an actor caught in the Hex. Agatha took over his house and put him under her control during the events of WandaVision, notably having him pose as Pietro (Wanda’s brother a.k.a. Quicksilver.) When Monica Rambeau came into the hex towards the end of WandaVision, Ralph held her captive in the attic for a while before she overpowered him.
posted by Navelgazer at 11:25 AM on October 20 [1 favorite]
posted by Navelgazer at 11:25 AM on October 20 [1 favorite]
Also, Ralph/Pietro was played in WandaVision by Evan Peters, who played "Peter Maximoff", the version of Quicksilver from the Fox X-Men movies, and therefore is kind of an inside joke; Quicksilver was played by a different actor in Avengers: Age of Ultron, which was the movie that introduced Wanda's character.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:57 PM on October 20
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:57 PM on October 20
Thank you!
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:30 AM on October 21
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:30 AM on October 21
I'm so irked I didn't get this. I thought from the beginning that Teen reminded me of some magic character from the comics, but all I could think of was Klarion the Witch Boy (from DC not Marvel). And it's so obvious! Both the Wanda connection and Joe Lock being a great casting match for the teen Billy Kaplan seen in Young Avengers—it all fits well and I feel like I could have seen it.
So by "irked," I mean pleasantly surprised. I'm glad they surprised me.
posted by straight at 11:14 PM on October 23
So by "irked," I mean pleasantly surprised. I'm glad they surprised me.
posted by straight at 11:14 PM on October 23
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posted by Halloween Jack at 7:03 PM on October 16 [4 favorites]