The third episode of Agatha All Along is out, and it delivers some major revelations for Marvel fans. For the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the name Mephisto is mentioned, Lady Death makes her long-awaited appearance, and the mysterious Teen? He is, indeed, Agatha’s son.
Titled Through Many Miles of Trick and Trials, this episode dives deeper into Agatha’s coven as they navigate dangerous trials. If you’ve been following the series, you’ll know why the first two episodes were released together—this episode marks a significant turning point in the story, making the weekly episode format more suspenseful.
Let’s break down the key moments and plot twists of this episode.
The Road of Trials Begins
The episode opens on Witches Road, where the coven deciphers a cryptic prophecy from The Ballad of the Witches. According to the ballad, they must face their worst nightmares in a series of trials. The problem? The witches have lost their magic. That’s when Teen steps in and suggests using witchcraft to survive the trials.
Many fans, myself included, have suspected that this boy is Nicholas Scratch—Agatha’s son from the comics. His deep knowledge of Witches Road and potion-making hints that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Throughout the episode, he reveals hidden meanings behind the potion ingredients, showcasing knowledge beyond that of the Potion Witch herself. Clearly, this character is being positioned for a larger role, but we may be getting misled.
Agatha’s Son and the Power Play
This episode shines a spotlight on Agatha’s son. The show drops hints, but it’s clear Marvel is playing the long game when it comes to revealing the full scope of his identity. Marvel has a history of misdirection—remember how they kept changing the title of the show? Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, Agatha: House of Harkness—and now, we finally know that “It’s been Agatha All Along.”
Marvel even toyed with fans by slipping “Billy” into the subtitles of the teaser trailer, only to refer to him as “Teen” in the show itself. This deliberate choice makes us question everything.
Adding to the mystery, one of the witches notices a magical reduction spell on the boy, meant to keep his true identity hidden. Several nicknames are thrown his way—“Sparkly Little Mystery” and “Paste That a Cranky Witch Smashed Under a Rock”—but they only deepen the intrigue around who this boy really is.
Lady Death’s First MCU Appearance
Perhaps the most significant moment of this episode is the introduction of Lady Death. Agatha reveals her main motivation: she came to Witches Road to gain more power. Meanwhile, Jennifer is on a personal quest to uncover what happened to her mother.
Lilia, however, gets the most shocking moment of the episode when she encounters Lady Death—a pivotal figure in the Marvel Comics universe. This marks Lady Death’s first appearance in the MCU, and it’s clear that her presence will have massive implications going forward.
There’s also a compelling theory circulating among fans: could Rio Vidal, Agatha’s mysterious adversary, actually be Lady Death? It would explain why the two are at odds—Agatha has been stealing powers from other witches to stave off aging, and perhaps Lady Death is here to collect her due. This theory suggests their conflict has been building since episode one.
Practical Effects
One standout aspect of Agatha All Along is the use of practical effects. Jac Schaeffer, the series creator, has emphasized her desire to use practical sets and effects over CGI, lending a more grounded feel to the show. This is evident in the episode’s house scenes, which echo the visual style of WandaVision. When the coven steps inside the house, their clothes change, and even the episode’s resolution shifts—much like how the inside of the Hex looked different from the outside in WandaVision. It’s a nice callback to the stylistic choices that made WandaVision so unique.
Inside the house, we’re treated to the first trial: the coven must drink poisoned wine while the Potion Witch races to find the antidote. As simple as it sounds, things take a darker turn when the witches start experiencing nightmarish visions during the trial.
Mephisto: Finally Mentioned in the MCU
The most buzz-worthy moment for longtime Marvel fans? The first mention of Mephisto in the MCU. During the trial, Jennifer tells the teen that Agatha sacrificed her son for the Darkhold, also known as the Book of the Damned. She even suggests that her son may have become a demon or an agent of Mephisto.
For those of us who were speculating about Mephisto throughout WandaVision, this is a huge development. While we never saw Mephisto in that series, it seems like his influence is finally being felt in the MCU. Is Agatha’s son, Nicholas Scratch, connected to Mephisto? Only time will tell.
Nicholas Scratch: Revenge and Redemption?
Given the clues in this episode, it’s becoming clear that the teen is Nicholas Scratch, and his role is far from benevolent. In the comics, Nicholas harbors resentment towards his mother, Agatha, for leaving Salem and mingling with the outside world. He eventually becomes the leader of New Salem and tries to turn its witches against her.
Marvel’s version has made some notable changes to this dynamic. Instead of simply resenting his mother, Nicholas is portrayed as someone whom Agatha may have sacrificed for the Darkhold. This twist adds emotional weight to Agatha’s story, making her character even more complex.
A Major Loss and New Possibilities
Sadly, Mrs. Hart (Sharon) does not survive this episode. After being the first to drink the poisoned wine, she suffers the worst effects and ultimately passes away. Her death opens up the possibility for a new member to join the coven—and this is where Rio Vidal might step in. The groundwork has already been laid for her introduction, and her absence in this episode only adds to the anticipation.
Spoilers Ahead: What’s Next?
Before we wrap up, here’s a spoiler for those who don’t mind: Funko Pop toys have confirmed that Death and Wiccan will appear in the series. However, it still doesn’t feel like the teen is Billy Kaplan, despite the hints. Something else is going on here.
Conclusion
With each episode, Agatha All Along continues to impress. The writing is sharp, the mysteries are gripping, and the introduction of characters like Lady Death and the mention of Mephisto signal that Marvel has big plans for this show. If the series keeps building on this momentum, it could be one of the MCU’s standout entries.
