As a longtime fan of Marvel and a mother myself, I must say that Agatha All Along has truly outdone itself with the heart-wrenching finale of Episode 9. The scene where Agatha finds her son Nicholas Scratch has left an indelible mark on me, reminding us all of the raw, unfiltered pain that comes with loss – a pain that is often overlooked in the grandeur of superhero narratives.


In episode 9 of Agatha All Along, the journey of Agatha Harkness and Billy (or maybe Billy Kaplan) along the Witches’ Path reaches its conclusion.

Instead of the usual Marvel series, this final episode didn’t follow the routine of an explosive, action-packed climax filled with excessive guest appearances that hint at the storylines to come in the next fifty-two episodes, further enlarging the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As a gamer, I was pleasantly surprised by its unique approach.

Instead, the finale delved deeper into something more personal about Agatha, and showrunner Jac Schaeffer chose this moment to unveil more of Agatha’s past, offering insights into who she was before she transformed into the sinister witch of Westview. True to form, it turned out that Agatha had a significant history of pilfering magic from other witches, but the finale’s shocking revelation was her deep maternal affection for her son, Nicholas Scratch, otherwise known as Nicky.

From my perspective as an ardent fan, I’ve always assumed Agatha Harkness to be a ruthless mother, willing to barter her son Nicholas for the Darkhold’s power. However, the reality of Nicky’s demise was far more poignant than we could have imagined, offering us one of the most stirring scenes in the show’s entirety.

Nicholas Scratch

But before we get to that, we need to understand some context around Nicholas’s birth. It turns out that poor little Nicky wasn’t really meant for this world and was supposed to die during childbirth. Rio (Mistress Death to you and me), however, out of the love she felt for Agatha, allowed the child to live.  

For approximately six years, Agatha and Nicky embark on a journey across America, performing witch slayings, tending goats, and creating an outstanding tune (going down, down, down!). Essentially, they enjoy quite the adventure – until one night when Nicky is awakened to find Rio present, marking the moment she whisks him away.

Afterward, the most poignant moment in the series unfolds. In the early hours of the day, Agatha discovers her cherished son has tragically passed. Unlike other scenes featuring intense duels with Mephisto’s minions, clever banter, or thrilling fights against enigmatic cosmic entities, this time Nicky quietly left during the night while Agatha was by his side.

Experiencing death can be an unexpectedly ordinary event, unlike how it’s often portrayed in movies. Those who have been through it know that it rarely unfolds as we imagine, with dramatic goodbyes or tearful vigils by the bedside. Instead, for many, it’s simply a moment when someone closes their eyes and doesn’t open them again.

We all need more time

In the realm of Marvel productions, it’s no secret that deep, nuanced drama isn’t typically their forte. Yet, it was truly unexpected when even a show as whimsical and playful as Agatha All Along managed to deliver such an intensely emotional scene.

Indeed, it’s truly advantageous to have an actress as gifted as Kathryn Hahn portraying Agatha, and she delivered a heartfelt performance in that particular scene. It wasn’t excessive or overly sweet. Instead, it was the desperate pleas of a woman, accustomed to wielding power and standing above others, frantically trying to rouse her son, aware that even with all her powers, she couldn’t resurrect him.

I found this scene to be my favorite in the series, as it perfectly embodies the essence of Agatha All Along. It symbolizes the universal longing we all have for those who are no longer with us, showcases how many of us find strength in grief to accomplish the seemingly impossible, and painfully illustrates that grief can lead us to commit unimaginable acts.

If you want to know more about Agatha Hakrness, we’ve explained why she killed the witches in Episode 9 and revealed what’s next for her and Billy. We’ve also done separate guides on Fantastic Four, Spider-Man 4, and Avengers Doomsday if you want to know more about the upcoming Marvel movies.

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2024-10-31 15:49