“Agatha All Along” introduced one of the coolest characters in the MCU, Rio Vidal, played by Aubrey Plaza. Rio has a lot of mystery around her. She is a strong and confident witch, and fans quickly loved her. Her sarcasm and humor balance well with Agatha Harkness’s lively personality, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn.
It will be exciting to see more of Rio as the series continues. This leads to some questions: Who is Rio Vidal? What is her connection to Agatha? How powerful is she as a witch?
Who is Rio Vidal in the MCU?
There is not much information about Rio Vidal yet. She first appeared in the first episode of “Agatha All Along,” where she acted as a detective in the spell that Wanda cast on Agatha. From the beginning, she and Agatha have a troubled past. Rio would not have tried to kill Agatha if things were good between them.
Like Agatha, Rio is a witch with strong powers. She can use wind magic to push Agatha against walls or the floor. Rio’s powers come from nature because she is a Green Witch.
Green Witches have earth magic, which includes elements of nature. Her ability to create blasts of wind shows her control over the elements. In the second episode of “Agatha All Along,” a Green Witch is needed to open the door to the Witches’ Road.
Although Rio’s name was not on the list that Agatha received, a single black heart was drawn on it. Green Witches have black hearts, and Rio tells Agatha that her heart is black and beats for her.
Rio Vidal is Inspired by Multiple Magic Users in Marvel Comics
Rio is a new character in the MCU. She does not have a comic counterpart like many other characters, including Agatha and Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen. Some fans think that Rio is based on several characters in the comics who can use magic.
One character that comes to mind is Blackheart, who is the son of Mephisto, a powerful demon. Blackheart can change his physical form and control dark energy.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
If Rio is inspired by Blackheart, then she might be a demon instead of a witch. It is already confirmed that Agatha cannot absorb Rio’s powers without putting herself in danger. If Rio were a demon, Agatha would not be able to take her powers.
Another possible influence on Rio’s character is Gaea, the Earth goddess. Gaea is the mother of many life forms and had children like the Titans and Cyclopes. She is an Elder god who gave birth to new gods, creating generations of gods on Earth and has great power.
Gaea is immortal and can heal people. Rio likely has the same immortality as Agatha and other witches. Rio also has the power to heal wounds, as seen when she licks Agatha’s hand to help her. While Rio may not be Marvel Comic’s Gaea, it seems Gaea influenced the creation of Rio, especially since Agatha would die if she tried to absorb Rio’s powers.
The Complex Relationship Between Agatha and Rio
The chemistry between Agatha and Rio in the first two episodes of “Agatha All Along” is clear. From their first meeting in Wanda’s spell to their fight in Agatha’s home, it is obvious that these two have a deep history. Rio is angry with Agatha because she took the Darkhold and began using dark magic.
The exact reason why Rio seeks revenge on Agatha is not yet known. However, it is reasonable to think that the two might have had a romantic relationship in the past.
During a press conference for “Agatha All Along,” Plaza hinted at the connection between Agatha and Rio. She mentioned that fans should expect a “very intense dynamic” that “has all the colors of the rainbow.” Whether Agatha and Rio were lovers or not, Plaza’s hint suggests that their relationship could be romantic as the series goes on.
Rio Vidal is already becoming one of the most interesting characters in the MCU. It will be exciting to watch her character grow and see how her relationship with Agatha changes. Fans will continue to theorize about her true identity until it is revealed.
New episodes of “Agatha All Along” are available to stream on Disney+ every Wednesday.
The prologue for the new CG-animated movie Transformers One tells the story of how Cybertron began. It starts with a being named Primus. Primus is the first Transformer and changes into the planet now known as Cybertron. The prologue also introduces the first generation of Transformers created by Primus: the Original Thirteen Primes.
These Original Thirteen Primes are an important part of Transformers history, and they fit well into the new story set by this exciting CG-animated film. Now, let’s look at the origins and ideas behind the Original Thirteen Primes of Cybertron.
The Original Thirteen Primes Are Cybertron’s Founders
The Original Primes serve as the first members of the Cybertronian race. They are the founders and key figures in many parts of the Transformers story. For example, Micronus Prime is the first Mini-con or Micromaster Transformer, and Onyx Prime is the first beast Transformer.
In the film, they are shown as the first transforming robots created by Primus. Their purpose is to teach, lead, and protect future generations. Any Cybertronian who has the name Prime understands that it means more than just a title. The Primes are the most honorable, good, and brave beings from Cybertron.
In Transformers One, the Original Thirteen Primes are shown as a noble group of Cybertronians. They are led by Zeta Prime (James Remar), who carries the Matrix of Leadership, an important object. The story starts with a young Cybertronian named Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth).
He does not have a transformation cog (T-cog) and wants to find the lost Matrix of Leadership. Orion believes that the Matrix can help restore Cybertron’s dying resources and offer more opportunities to the planet’s non-transforming civilians, who face hard work in the mines.
However, it is later revealed that Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), thought to be the last of the Primes, betrayed the Original Thirteen Primes to the Quintessons during a war years ago.
The Matrix of Leadership disappeared when Sentinel and the Quintessons attacked and killed the Primes, except for Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne). Alpha Trion tells Orion Pax and his friends about Sentinel Prime’s betrayal. Now, they must become the heroes Cybertron needs to regain its freedom.
The Concept of the Original Thirteen Primes Developed Over Time
The idea of the Original Thirteen Primes took many years to become what is shown in Transformers One. The concept of a group of original Transformers, or Transformer Archetypes, first appeared in a story called “Covenant.” This story was published for the Transformers convention, BotCon, in 1999.
Still from Transformers One (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
During the Dreamwave Productions Era of Transformers comics, one of the Original Thirteen was called “The Fallen.” He betrayed his fellow Transformers and was corrupted by Unicron.
Essentially, he is the Transformers version of Lucifer. Later, The Fallen was given the name Megatronus, becoming part of the Decepticons faction. While The Fallen does not appear in Transformers One, the film does touch on Megatronus’ connection with Megatron and the Decepticons.
The Fallen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
A version of the Original Primes was shown in the 2009 live-action film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The movie shows The Fallen as Megatron’s “master” and mentor. He is one of the Original Primes who visited Earth long ago during prehistoric times.
He was exiled by his fellow Primes after he tried to activate the Star Harvester, which would have destroyed all life on Earth. The other Primes of Cybertron rejected his plan.
Although he is never called Megatronus in the film, The Fallen is usually the name given to the former Megatronus Prime, mainly because he attempts to betray the other Primes or Primus or his forced exile from his group. However, Transformers One chooses to take Megatronus in a different direction.
Transformers One Changes the Fate of Megatronus Prime
In Transformers One, Megatronus Prime remains loyal and does not betray his friends. The film shows that Sentinel Prime is not a true Prime and stole the title. Sentinel Prime was an aide to the Original Thirteen Primes but betrayed them during their war with the Quintessons.
The Original Thirteen Primes, including Megatronus Prime, were all killed, except for Alpha Trion, who was revived later by Orion Pax and his friends while they searched for the Matrix of Leadership.
Alpha Trion tells them about Sentinel Prime’s betrayal. Sentinel was the one who killed Megatronus Prime, whom D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) looked up to and admired.
Still from Transformers One (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Sentinel Prime betrayed Cybertron, the Original Thirteen Primes, and his own race. He gave the Quintessons control over Cybertron and all the Energon they wanted in exchange for power and control over Iacon (Cybertron’s underground capital).
Transformers One interestingly chooses not to make Megatronus Prime into The Fallen. Instead, it shows Sentinel Prime as the traitor of the Original Thirteen. Sentinel was never a true Prime and was not a real member of the Original Thirteen.
If the story of Transformers One continues in the future, it might revisit the idea of Megatronus Prime becoming The Fallen. Perhaps Megatronus could come back with help from the newly transformed Megatron, and they could work together to rule Cybertron.
The Future of the Transformers One Series
Due to Orion Pax’s actions to save Cybertron and take down Sentinel Prime, while still wanting to show mercy to the villain, the spirits of the Original Thirteen Primes give Orion Pax the honored Matrix of Leadership and the new title of Optimus Prime.
This makes Optimus the newest and last of the Primes. The Matrix restores Cybertron’s lost Energon resources and gives new T-cogs to the Transformers who lost them because of Sentinel Prime. Optimus Prime names his new followers Autobots to protect Cybertron from its enemies, the Quintessons.
Sadly, D-16 has completely rejected his friendship with Optimus. He takes the image of Megatronus Prime as his symbol and starts a new group called the Decepticons, taking the name Megatron, inspired by his late hero. Angry and hurt by Sentinel Prime’s betrayal, Megatron wants to rule Cybertron himself.
Still from Transformers One (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
Transformers One sets up a story for the Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons in the Transformers legend. There are many exciting paths the story can take from this ending. Hopefully, the new story created by Transformers One continues with future films.
In Transformers One, the origins of Cybertron and the Original Thirteen Primes set the stage for an exciting new chapter in the Transformers saga.
As Orion Pax transforms into Optimus Prime, he must show the challenges posed by betrayal and the rise of the Decepticons. The film cleverly intertwines past and future, promising thrilling developments in upcoming sequels, ensuring that the legacy of the Primes continues to shape the fate of Cybertron.
