Warning: This article contains spoilers for Agatha All Along episode 1, “Seekest Thou the Road,” and episode 2, “Circle Sewn with Fate/Unlock Thy Hidden Gate”
Aubrey Plaza made herMCUdebut inAgatha All Along, and her powerful character’s connection to Agatha Harkness and real identity has been a hot topic of discussion. Best known for her roles inParks and Recreation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the WorldandLegion, Aubrey Plaza is a very exciting addition to the MCU, especially in the witchy series,Agatha All Along. Plaza reunited withParks and Recreationstar Kathryn Hahn inAgatha All Along’spremiere episode, but very little has yet been revealed about her mysterious MCU character, Rio Vidal.
Since Aubrey Plaza was announced to be joining thecast ofAgatha All Alongin November 2022, there have been many theories suggesting who she could be playing. It’s been known for some time that her character would go by the name Rio Vidal, but whether this is an alias, a moniker, or an outright lie remains to be seen.There are several convincing theories regarding Rio Vidal’s true purpose that could hint at huge storylines for the MCU’s future, andAgatha All Along’sfirst two episodeshave supported two key ideas.
Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal Explained
Rio Vidal Is An Original Character In The MCU
Unlike the other members ofAgatha Harkness' coven inAgatha All Along, Rio Vidal is a completely original character created solely for the MCU series. Since she has no history in Marvel Comics, very little is known about Rio Vidal’s backstory or her connection to Agatha Harkness. However, some information can be surmised fromAgatha All Along’sfirst two episodes, most notably, the idea thatRio Vidal and Agatha Harkness may have had a romantic relationship at some point in the past.
Agatha Harkness and Rio Vidalhave definitely been through some things together, and these experiences seemingly culminated in the pair coming to blows. Vidal’s attempt to kill Harkness appears to have been a long time coming, while Harkness had been hiding under the protection of the Darkhold until Wanda Maximoff took the relic inWandaVision.Rio Vidal is confirmed to be a Green Witch, one with a connection to the Earth and nature, which is suggested to be crucial to accessing and surviving the Witches' Road, though it’s still unclear why.
Rio Vidal’s Powers Explained
Rio Vidal Is A Powerful Witch In Agatha All Along
As a witch in the MCU, it seems that Rio Vidal may share many of the same abilities as Agatha Harkness and Wanda Maximoff. This could include energy projection, spell-casting, teleportation, mind and memory manipulation and many others, though it has also been shown that specific witches tend to have a specialty. While theScarlet Witch’s specialty is Chaos Magic, and Agatha Harkness is adept at stealing other witches' magic, it remains to be seen what specific gifts being a Green Witch will grant Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal.
Who Are The Salem Seven? Agatha All Along Villains' Marvel Comics History & Powers Explained
Agatha All Along introduces a new team of magical supervillains based on Agatha Harkness' powerful shapeshifting enemies from Marvel Comics.
Rio Vidal showed incredible acrobatic and gymnastic fighting skills during her spar againstAgatha Harkness inAgatha All Along’spremiere. She also showed off her telekinesis, as she created gusts of wind and was able to lift herself effortlessly from the ground to standing. Interestingly, Rio Vidal also seemingly has a connection to the terrifying and aggressive Salem Seven.Vidal also demonstrated the ability to be able to heal others, as she healed a knife wound on Agatha Harkness' hand with a lick, and she appears to have access to Earthly magic as a Green Witch.
Is Rio Vidal A Secret Identity? Morgan Le Fay Theory Explained
Some Have Theorized Rio Vidal Could Be The MCU’s Morgan Le Fay
One of the most popular theories regarding Rio Vidal’s true identity inAgatha All Alongis that she could, in fact, be Morgan le Fay.Morgan le Fay is a human/fairy hybrid in Marvel Comics, who has mastered the Mystic Arts, gifting her some impressive magical abilities. Elizabeth Hurley portrayedMorgan le Fay in Marvel Television’sRunawaysseries, which hasn’t been canonized in the MCU, leaving the door open for a new iteration of the mystical villain to appear inAgatha All Along.
InRunaways, Morgan le Fay was a powerful enchantress and the leader of a coven of witches who had become trapped in the Dark Dimension. She manipulates Nico Minoru into helping her escape, but is soon re-banished.
Perhaps supporting this theory, Morgan le Fay was once in possession of the Darkhold in Marvel Comics. If Rio Vidal is le Fay, this could explain her fascination with theBook of the Damned inAgatha All Along.Morgan le Fay also has a penchant for sporting green outfits, which Rio Vidal has already demonstrated as a Green Witch in the MCU. Morgan le Fay also has abilities connected to nature in Marvel Comics, being able to physically manipulate the natural elements, so it would make sense for Aubrey Plaza’s mysterious MCU villain to be outed as this exciting villain.
Agatha All Along Hints Rio Vidal Could Be Mephisto’s Daughter
Agatha All Along May Have Teased Rio Vidal As The MCU’s Blackheart
While it would be fun for Aubrey Plaza to be playing Morgan le Fay, one new theory could be far more significant for the MCU.Agatha All Along’sfirst two episodes made many mentions of a"black heart,“which has led some to theorize that Rio Vidal could, in fact, be the MCU’s depiction of Marvel Comics’Blackheart, the son of Mephisto.Mephisto created Blackheart from the evil energies in the town of Christ’s Crown, New York, but despite trying to train his son in the dark ways, Blackheart still turned his back on his father.
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Over the years, Blackheart has tried to recruit heroes to wage war on Mephisto, and this could be exactly what Rio Vidal is attempting inAgatha All Along. In episode 1,Vidal notes that she does indeed have a heart, and that it’s black and beats for Agatha Harkness. This is supported when Lilia Calderu jots down Vidal’s name as a drawing of a black heart, reinforcing this incredible new theory. This could suggestAgatha All Alongwill finally bringMephisto into the MCU, paying off years of hints and teases towards the iconic Marvel villain.
New episodes ofAgatha All Alongrelease every Wednesday at 6pm PT/9pm ET on Disney+.
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.
