Warning: This article contains spoilers for Agatha All Along episode 5, “Darkest Hour, Wake Thy Power.”
There are several more clues inAgatha All Alongepisode 5 pointing to Lady Death having already debuted in theMCU.Parks and Recreationstar Aubrey Plaza was introduced to the MCU as theGreen Witch, Rio Vidal, inAgatha All Along’spremiere. Even though her identity has seemingly been confirmed, there have been several hints that she may not be all she seems, and popular theories have instead named her the demon Mephisto, his child Blackheart, the villain Morgan le Fay, or even the MCU’s depiction of Lady Death.
Theories suggesting Rio Vidal may actually beLady Death in the MCUhave really picked up steam after the two most recent episodes ofAgatha All Along.“In the neighborhood"following Sharon Davis' demise,Rio Vidal joined Agatha Harkness' coven on the Witches' Road in episode 4, and later revealed an age-old betrayalthat could have involved her taking Agatha’s late son, Nicholas Scratch.Agatha All Alongepisode 5, “Darkest Hour, Wake Thy Power,” featured several more clues that seemingly confirm Aubrey Plaza to be playing the MCU’s Lady Death.
Rio Vidal’s “Death” Cackle Was Enough Proof On Its Own
Rio Vidal Laughed At The Hint From The Ouija Board
While Rio Vidal’s chilling cackle aboard her hexenbesen, a witch’s broom, was very reminiscent of a classic, stereotypical witch, her second moment of laughter inAgatha All Alongepisode 5 points to her instead being Lady Death. As part of the third trial onthe Witches' Road, Agatha Harkness and her coven were urged to play with a Ouija board.When a spirit is eventually made contact with, it suggests that it is Death, which spurs yet another cackle from Rio Vidal, perhaps because she knew the spirit must be joking.
Watch How Rio Vidal Reacts To The Salem Seven Attack
Rio Vidal Set The Salem Seven On Agatha Harkness
After making their MCU debut inAgatha All Alongepisode 2, “Circle Sewn with Fate/Unlock Thy Hidden Gate,“the Salem Sevenreturned in episode 5, and made their way onto the Witches' Road. Lilia Calderu saw the Salem Seven arrive on the Road in a dream, but Rio Vidal seemed to know exactly what she was going to tell the group before she’d revealed it.It was Rio Vidal who informed the Salem Seven of Agatha Harkness' whereabouts following the pair’s spar inAgatha All Along’spremiere, and, as Death, she may be aware of their activities nonetheless.
In Marvel Comics, the Salem Seven are the children of Nicholas Scratch, and he sends them after his mother when she leaves the magical community of New Salem. This origin has been changed for the MCU, so they are no longer related to Agatha Harkness.
It’s possible that, should she be Lady Death, the Salem Seven may have also made a deal with Rio Vidal to ensure their elongated lifespans, allowing them to hunt down Agatha Harkness over the centuries.Agatha All Alongepisode 5 confirmed the Salem Seven to be the children ofAgatha Harkness' original coven, the members of which she killed, as detailed in the opening moments ofWandaVisionepisode 8.Rio Vidal is not shocked about the Salem Seven’s arrival on the Witches' Road, and she may have even been the one to leave the door open for them.
Rio Vidal Hates Ghosts
Agatha Harkness' Mother Returned In Agatha All Along Episode 5
During their Ouija board experience,the contacted spirit seems adamant that Agatha Harkness needs to be punished, which leads to Agatha removing her hands from the planchette and releasing the spirit. This turns out to be the spirit of her own mother,Evanora Harkness, played by Kate Forbes. Evanora appears as a ghost before the other members of the coven, urging them to leave Agatha with her as they continue on their journey down the Witches' Road. It’s Rio Vidal who fervently refuses, however, despite her claim that she"hates ghosts.”
Marvel Just Made This Dark Theory About Teen’s True Identity Even More Compelling
Teen’s true identity in Agatha All Along was all but confirmed in episode 5, but it also supports one of the darkest theories about the character.
It would make sense that Rio Vidal would have a hatred for ghosts if she were Lady Death.Ghosts are dead people who have unfinished business in the mortal plane, so they aren’t quite ready for Lady Death to claim for herself. While this would be reason enough for Rio Vidal to show animosity towards Evanora, it’s also quite touching to see Vidal be so protective of Agatha Harkness, whom she once loved, despite the pair having grown estranged since Vidal’s as-yet-unseen betrayal.
Alice Wu-Gulliver’s Soul Needed To Be Dealt With At The End Of Agatha All Along Episode 5
Perhaps the most overt clue that Aubrey Plaza is playing Lady Death inAgatha All Alongepisode 5 is that she is absent during the episode’s final moments back on the Witches' Road. This scene played out shortly afterAgatha Harkness inadvertently killed Alice Wu-Gulliverby absorbing her power. With Alice dead,it’s very possible that Lady Death needed to remain in the 1980s-themed house to deal with her soul, out of sight of the other members of the coven.Agatha All Alongepisode 6 may deliver even more clues regarding Rio Vidal’s true nature.
Agatha All Along
Cast
Agatha Harkness, after the events of “WandaVision,” seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.
