‘Agatha All Along’ just dared to go where no other Marvel project has gone before, and it paid off in spades

The sixth episode of Agatha All Along, titled “Familiar by Thy Side,” has indeed marked a refreshing shift in the show’s storytelling. In focusing on Billy Kaplan, a core character with deep ties to the Marvel Universe, the episode created a compelling and thoughtfully layered narrative that gave audiences an in-depth look into Billy’s psyche and his journey of self-acceptance as a queer character.

The series has taken strides beyond simply showing Billy’s relationship with his boyfriend, Eddie, to explore the nuanced challenges that come with being queer. This includes the anxiety Billy feels about his family’s perception of him, the complexity of his psychic abilities, and his drive to reconnect with his spirit-brother, Tommy. All of these layers create a vivid tapestry, grounding Billy’s identity not just in his abilities but in his emotional struggles and triumphs. His fear of being fully seen — amplified by his suspicions of being the reincarnated son of the Scarlet Witch — touches on universal themes, especially poignant for LGBTQ+ audiences.

The show goes further than previous MCU representations of queer characters by weaving Billy’s identity deeply into the narrative, not shying away from the internal and external hurdles he faces. Eddie’s acceptance, without hesitation or judgment, brings a moment of validation and empowerment that extends beyond the character, showcasing queer joy and love in a manner rarely explored within the MCU.

By embracing queer storytelling with a level of complexity and respect, Agatha All Along has set a new standard in the MCU, positioning Billy Kaplan as a meaningful representative of the LGBTQ+ community within the Marvel universe. This intelligent approach to character-driven narrative gives hope that the MCU is moving toward more thoughtful and resonant portrayals of queer characters and stories, marking a promising evolution in its storytelling direction.