Is Rio Vidal actually there in Agatha All Along?

As a long-time fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must say that the enigma surrounding Rio Vidal in ‘WandaVision’ has been as captivating as the show itself. From my perspective, it seems clear that Rio is indeed real, and not just a figment of Agatha’s imagination.

In Episode 6 of “Agatha All Along“, viewers were presented with a wealth of fresh data, such as who Billy is searching for at the end of his journey; however, it also sparked curiosity among fans. Notably, Billy engaged with every member of the coven before encountering Agatha, except for Rio, whose sudden absence has raised some eyebrows and fueled speculation.

Although some viewers attribute Aubrey Plaza’s absence to scheduling conflicts, it’s worth noting that her brief appearance could have been filmed during the same time as the house scenes in Episode 1. This leaves us wondering if her absence was deliberate.

It’s tricky to say for certain whether Rio truly existed or was merely a figment of Agatha’s mind, given their long-standing relationship. In this analysis, we evaluate the proof to find out if Rio was physically present or simply a hallucination experienced by Agatha throughout.

Is Rio Vidal actually there in Agatha All Along?

Signs that Rio was never actually there

Initially, Rio manifests during Agatha’s hallucination as she delves into her detective puzzle, casting a shadow of uncertainty over everything she perceives. She acknowledges this herself, reasoning that if Teen is “genuine and not a creation birthed by my confined mind,” then Rio should be too. However, it doesn’t always follow that this is the case. The alternate interrogation scene we witnessed demonstrates how certain elements can remain consistent while others undergo significant changes.

In this game, I, a gamer character, assumed the role of a federal agent named Rio, joining the homicide investigation. I’ve been popping up whenever Agatha needs someone to confide in or discuss the case. One day, I brought her a file containing crime scene photos, and another time, a bouquet of virtual flowers. When Agatha was distressed by Nicholas’s room, I appeared at the door. Rumor has it that I was supposedly at the station with me when we captured Teen. And just as Agatha stepped into the morgue, there I was again.

In every situation, Rio seemed to materialize when Agatha was feeling intense emotions, which might have been a figment of her imagination. To explain, Billy observes Agatha sharing her TikTok joke with the audience, but he doesn’t witness Rio. It seems unusual that this specific shot wouldn’t include her since it could have captured them both during Agatha and Rio’s conversation in their living room at the same time. Additionally, Agatha perceives Rio through the glass as she questions Teen, yet even she eventually concludes that image is just a painting.

Is Rio Vidal actually there in Agatha All Along?

Despite having clear patterns in her appearances, Rio seems to vanish without any notice or grand exit. During instances like when Agatha pursues Teen, when she begins to break free from the spell while conversing with him, and when she discards Agnes’ identity, Rio cannot be found anywhere. Only Billy hidden inside a closet was present at the house after Agatha escapes.

As a devoted viewer, it struck me that the initial episode held some intriguing instances hinting at events beyond our immediate perception. During the conversation between Rio and Agatha about their case, Agatha mentioned a car accident in Eastview – a moment that seems to be when Billy assumed William Kaplan’s body. However, given her state under Wanda’s influence, it’s hard to imagine how she could have known about this event. Could it be possible that there was another clandestine conversation between Agatha and Billy, one that we, the viewers, haven’t had a chance to witness yet?

In the ensuing confrontation between Rio and Agatha within their shared residence, Agatha sustains two significant injuries. A gash appears on her chest, while another wound mars her hand. Remarkably, Rio seals the hand injury by licking it, whereas the chest wound mysteriously disappears from sight soon after the skirmish.

In the end, a message between Billy and his partner reveals that the black heart on Lilia’s list was intended for Billy, not Rio. Since Lilia couldn’t use either of Billy’s real names due to the sigil, she used a code name instead. As Rio wasn’t meant to be part of the coven, it raises doubts about whether he actually attended at all.

Moments that prove Rio was real

Regardless of the strong indications that there were hidden events unfolding which viewers weren’t privy to, it’s equally evident that Rio truly exists, a fact that’s challenging to dispute. In the second episode, when Rio visited Agatha’s house for the confrontation, he forcefully broke open her door. As mentioned by both Agatha and Alice in the following episode, the door remains destroyed. Additionally, it’s shown to be demolished when Billy attempts to fortify the coven against the Salem Seven.

Additionally, Rio is the one who informs Agatha that the Salem Seven will arrive. This could potentially be a subconscious warning from Agatha, but Teen also mentions “the group arriving tonight.” This implies that he may have received information about them, aligning with his ability to observe the upcoming fight.

Is Rio Vidal actually there in Agatha All Along?

In the fourth episode, although there’s no direct reference to a fight or Rio for the next two installments, he hints at Agatha that “the alluring yet perilous woman returns.” This suggestion strongly implies that Rio is present in reality beyond Agatha’s mindscape.

Starting from then, it becomes challenging to question Rio’s presence among the coven. Each member of the group interacts with her in one way or another. This includes discussions about whether she will prove beneficial for the team, listening to her reveal secrets about Agatha and Nicholas, and engaging in debates during Agatha’s trial with her.

From where I stand, if everyone else can spot her, it seems like the mystery has been solved. But if everyone is merely a product of Agatha’s vivid imagination, then Rio might be nowhere to be found. Could that be possible?

Is there an in-between possibility?

In my opinion, it appears that Rio may have both genuine and illusionary appearances. She seems physically present on the Road, interacting normally with everyone except during Agatha and Billy’s conflict at the end of episode 5. Her absence when Billy unleashes his power (following Alice’s death) is questionable, but it doesn’t necessarily mean she isn’t a genuine character.

I’ve got a feeling Rio was indeed present during their fight, judging by the facts. The house still shows signs of damage, her prediction about the Salem Seven proved accurate, and it looks like Teen caught sight and sound of her.

However, let us consider those initial four instances where Agatha hadn’t yet lifted the enchantment. These appearances were orchestrated by Phil Jones/Harold Proctor, occurring off-screen or in a manner unnoticed by Billy. Agatha’s introduction happened at her residence, but she didn’t participate in the subsequent search or pursuit. She was also present during the interrogation, though her involvement became invisible as the spell began to falter. Lastly, she assisted Agatha in recalling her identity, but had vanished before the final shattering of the enchantment.

It seems to me none of those events were genuine. Following Wanda’s demise, the spell began to disintegrate and Rio emerged as a character that helped Agatha recall their close past. However, it appears those scenes never happened in reality. Rio became real only when both Billy and Agatha were together. It’s possible that Rio was summoned or made manifest from Billy’s reality-bending abilities interacting with Agatha’s memories.

Three additional episodes of “Agatha All Along” are yet to air, and showrunner Jac Schaeffer has confirmed that character Rio will make a return. It remains to be seen whether these upcoming episodes will clarify if Rio Vidal is physically traveling the Road or if she serves a more symbolic purpose in the storyline.

New episodes of Agatha All Along stream on Disney Plus on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET.

2024-10-19 18:31