1x05 Darkest Hour / Wake Thy Power

This is one of those TV moments that catches you off guard, even when you think you’ve seen it all. By now, we kind of expect the twists to happen. But the reveal that Teen is actually Billy Maximoff? That was one of those scenes that, even though it was predictable, still made me feel hyped. The episode has a much tenser vibe, and right from the start, you can tell the story’s going to focus on Agatha. When we see the kids of the witches she killed centuries ago show up as the new obstacle, the tension ramps up fast. Her line, “mercy is overrated,” is the cherry on top, delivered with that perfect mix of sarcasm and truth that only Kathryn Hahn could pull off. But what’s interesting is that this confrontation quickly shifts to a totally different setting. And that’s where the real focus starts: Agatha’s trial.

The concept of the trials has been a clever twist since the beginning of the season, putting the witches to the test with metaphysical and emotional challenges, always with a touch of fantasy... But here, the ‘80s teen movie vibe, with a Ouija board and digital clocks counting down, adds this layer of nostalgia while still pushing the plot forward. The campy setting is totally intentional, and the slightly cheesy CGI is part of the fun — nothing here is by accident.

But without a doubt, the highlight of the episode is the conflict between Agatha and her mother’s spirit. Their conversation, with Agatha asking why her mother still hates her, is gut-wrenching. Her mom’s answer — that Agatha “was born evil” and that Evanora should’ve killed her at birth — is cold and brutal. This is the heart of the episode: Agatha, who’s always been portrayed as the manipulative, cruel witch, is actually a tragic figure. Her relationship with her mother is the root of her insecurities, her thirst for power, and her disdain for any emotional ties. It’s one of those moments where the show steps back and reminds us that, even though it plays with humor and pop culture references, at its core, we’re dealing with some really complex characters.

Now, about Teen... The show had been dropping hints that he was more than he seemed, and the way it all comes together at the end of the episode was perfect. The connection to Wanda, the crown appearing on his head, and that flawless touch of Billie Eilish’s song playing at the right moment — seriously, it was that kind of audiovisual sync that rarely hits this well, and it’s what makes me love this medium. It didn’t matter that we already knew Teen was Billy; the way it was executed made the reveal totally worth it.

On the downside, the episode does fall short in some places. Like Alice’s death, which should’ve been a devastating moment, but it gets kind of lost in the middle of all the action. It feels like the script didn’t quite know what to do with her, and instead of giving the character the closure she deserved, she just kind of fades away. Plus, the trial storyline, with Evanora’s spirit dictating what should happen, felt a bit forced, like the episode was trying to tie things up too quickly...

But overall, it’s a strong episode that balances humor with some heavy emotional moments. The show keeps surprising me, especially in how it’s developing Agatha, who’s becoming more of an anti-heroine while also revealing her more vulnerable side. And as for Billy? If this reveal is any sign of what’s coming in the next few episodes, I think we’re about to see a shift in the MCU that could change a lot of things...