Agatha All Along?

[BrianL]

Unfortunately, some producers think they *have* to fill 8 episodes at 42 minutes each, instead of what's good for the story. The first two episodes really could have been combined into one. The third one wasn't much of an improvement. The road thing has finally started and shows some promise, but they still spread the story out too thin--it could have been done in 30 minutes.

Aubrey Plaza's character showed promise. I may watch it when she comes back on. Maybe the show will finally have solid legs then. As of right now, it's pretty mid.

This seems to have become a common problem with stremaing shows (I have not watched any Agatha yet). The pacing is all over the map! They also need to take into account if it is the kind of show that is dropping all at once or in weekly installments. Many of them are more "binge" type shows, e.g. a "long movie" but if they are breaking it up weekly, it really kills the momentum. Most of those types of shows might even be better as just a movie. Sometimes stuff just doesn't need to be that long!

 

[becoming_diznified]

Unfortunately, some producers think they *have* to fill 8 episodes at 42 minutes each, instead of what's good for the story. The first two episodes really could have been combined into one. The third one wasn't much of an improvement. The road thing has finally started and shows some promise, but they still spread the story out too thin--it could have been done in 30 minutes.

Aubrey Plaza's character showed promise. I may watch it when she comes back on. Maybe the show will finally have solid legs then. As of right now, it's pretty mid.

Ok so it wasn't just me. I thought the first two episodes were the setup. Agatha breaks the Scarlett Witch spell and then they get the bad together. The third episode wasn't too bad though I wish they hadn't already killed off Debra Jo Rupp's character who was the funniest of the bunch.

 

[Suger Mag]

To each their own... I have enjoyed the first three episodes. Personally I liked having the built in pee break of having the first two episodes released together.. I am watching a TV show... not a movie. I like having 40 minute episodes and not an hour plus. I disagree that the first three episodes could have been done in 30 minutes. No way. Pulling in the different witches... bringing the backstory in for newer watchers. Was it really that hard to watch the first two episodes back to back?

SO far I am good with the pacing and I am enjoying it, Although it took me by surprise at first... I liked the flat Agnes portrayal as a contrast to the real Agatha.

Spoiler

Since Ms. Heart was not an actual witch I am not surprised she died real quick.... also liked the teasing of a potential Mephisto appearance as well as Nicolas Scratch, both are fun characters, they already named dropped the Salem 7 and Mephisto

 

[Moliphino]

To each their own... I have enjoyed the first three episodes. Personally I liked having the built in pee break of having the first two episodes released together.. I am watching a TV show... not a movie. I like having 40 minute episodes and not an hour plus. I disagree that the first three episodes could have been done in 30 minutes. No way. Pulling in the different witches... bringing the backstory in for newer watchers. Was it really that hard to watch the first two episodes back to back?

SO far I am good with the pacing and I am enjoying it, Although it took me by surprise at first... I liked the flat Agnes portrayal as a contrast to the real Agatha.

Spoiler

Since Ms. Heart was not an actual witch I am not surprised she died real quick.... also liked the teasing of a potential Mephisto appearance as well as Nicolas Scratch, both are fun characters, they already named dropped the Salem 7 and Mephisto

After the first two episodes I was raring to watch the rest right then.

 

[Suger Mag]

After the first two episodes I was raring to watch the rest right then.

right? I think that was my biggest complaint... I wanted to keep on going down the road all weekend in a big binge

 

[becoming_diznified]

I am curious to see what is in the 4th episode. We should be in the heart of the story so will most of the remaining trials be losing someone on the road till there's one or two left or will there be a twist?

 

[Suger Mag]

I am curious to see what is in the 4th episode. We should be in the heart of the story so will most of the remaining trials be losing someone on the road till there's one or two left or will there be a twist?

I think we will see the return of the real green witch , the one who was Black Heart in the list.

But yes, I do think there will be a loss of members maybe not each time... but I kinda feel like there are a couple of Red Shirts in this group.... divination and protection come to mind. Agatha seems to have a history with Jenn (potions)... and of course Aubrey's character....

 

[PolymerSkywalker]

Views are quite low or the ones I have seen are pretty low on viewership numbers. I may try and binge it later, but it’s clearly not the streaming hit that Disney needed right now.

I loved Wandavision, so I will give this one a shot at some point.

 

[maverik85]

This seems to have become a common problem with stremaing shows (I have not watched any Agatha yet). The pacing is all over the map! They also need to take into account if it is the kind of show that is dropping all at once or in weekly installments. Many of them are more "binge" type shows, e.g. a "long movie" but if they are breaking it up weekly, it really kills the momentum. Most of those types of shows might even be better as just a movie. Sometimes stuff just doesn't need to be that long!

Yea it seems like most of the 6 episode series like Hawkeye and Falcon and Winter Soldier would have flowed and worked better as a movie. They felt like one long story. The 9 episode series like Wanda Vision, Agatha, and She-Hulk feel more set up for tv style and are paced better for that.
The episode count doesn't have a rule for Star Wars but they feel similar. Mandalorian feels more episodic and works well as a show, whereas Obi-Wan was not great, especially on the pacing and repeated stories to stretch out, and would have worked better as a movie.

Views are quite low or the ones I have seen are pretty low on viewership numbers. I may try and binge it later, but it’s clearly not the streaming hit that Disney needed right now.

I loved Wandavision, so I will give this one a shot at some point.

Overall it seems that they are considering it a success though. It's had over 9 million viewers for the weeks reported, which is good even if not as high as some others. However, since it's budget is low don't think they feel it needs massive numbers either. They haven't revealed its budget but did say it is the cheapest MCU show to date and Echo was $40 million, so this was under that then. Whereas Acolyte had a reported budget of $180 million (that is rumored to have actually ballooned to $230 million) and it got 11 million. So in comparison, Agatha has 80%+ viewership with only 20% of the budget.

 

[BrianL]

Yea it seems like most of the 6 episode series like Hawkeye and Falcon and Winter Soldier would have flowed and worked better as a movie. They felt like one long story. The 9 episode series like Wanda Vision, Agatha, and She-Hulk feel more set up for tv style and are paced better for that.
The episode count doesn't have a rule for Star Wars but they feel similar. Mandalorian feels more episodic and works well as a show, whereas Obi-Wan was not great, especially on the pacing and repeated stories to stretch out, and would have worked better as a movie.

Yeah, epidodic shows need to be just that - episodic. Each show should be self-contained, though it can have connections to a broader plotline. Serialized shows are different, and continue with every installment, really telling one story. The trick is to know which kind of show you are, and why. I think a lot of streaming shows miss this finer detail.

I did enjoy Obi-Wan, but mostly for seeing Ewan and Hayden back. They can give me as much of that as they can make please! It actually might have made a better movie though - I get that. I'd have put it in theaters!

 

[Chirple]

I'm caught up on all episodes. I am really enjoying it.

 

[lovemy3sons]

I really like it so far! I am not a Marvel fan per se, I have never really followed, but I think this is easy for me to enjoy without any background knowledge of that genre.

 

[Suger Mag]

I seriously need a holster for my garden hose spray nozzles

 

[StarCruzer]

My only issue with the show is it leans VERY heavily on the actors and sets (both are excellent). I feel like they didn't spend enough time building on lore. The Witches Road should feel like it's own character.

It's a show that has a lot of great parts that don't quite fit together the way you want. Overall still enjoying it but not as strong writing/directing as I like.

 

[Skywalker3]

Really enjoyed this last episode. Looking forward to how it gets resolved, and what the road will reveal.

 

[Suger Mag]

Really enjoyed this last episode. Looking forward to how it gets resolved, and what the road will reveal.

Spoiler

I loved seeing the police 'interview' from the teens' perspective, was really funny to me and well done. Setting up the Young Avengers

 

[BostonEd]

Yes, the last two episodes were a big improvement. (I think eps 6 & 7.) Glad I'm watching it now, though I still think eps 1 & 2 could have been combined into one 1-hour long episode.

 

[Suger Mag]

ouch that last episode was so good, but also sad

 

[Moliphino]

I got caught up on four weeks of episodes on Friday after being away on vacation. The most recent was especially good, and overall I'd put Agatha in the top tier of Marvel shows so far.

 

[Suger Mag]

enjoy the finale folks. I will have to go media silent as I cannot watch until Sunday, and I do not want to see spoilers

Totally been enjoying this show... besides the show itself, it is fun seeing potential projects being teased as we go down the road as they say...

Young Avengers... Deadpool and Death come to mind