S.H.I.E.L.D puts everything on the line to survive a war that blurs the line between friend and foe. Coulson and his team will be forced to make shocking sacrifices that will leave their relationships and their world changed forever.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. wraps up its second season with a two hour finale that pits S.H.I.E.L.D. directly against Jiaying’s Inhumans as war is declared between the two.

There’s lots of action, which is much of what the episodes are, and that’s about it, until about the last 15 minutes. So let’s go over the details that cause the season’s finale to be both really bad and really good chunk by chunk.

All hell breaks loose and war kicks up when Jiaying launches an attack. Folks figure out what’s up on SHIELD’s end, and Coulson’s cooler head wins out. It’s a plot point that we could see a mile away. But, it’s ok as it drives the two-hour finale.

The Inhumans hand over Cal to SHIELD, which is interesting, and it leads us to finally glimpse the Mr. Hyde side of the character. The make-up is rather atrocious reminding me a bit of Leprechaun. In fact with the make-up on, Cal seems to now run like he’s the Leprechaun, or a monster in Big Trouble in Little China. Kyle MacLachlan‘s crazy performance is good through, and he plays the batshit insane character with fun enthusiasm.

Next we have Grant and Agent 33 enacting revenge on Bobbi. This is all ok, and ties up some plot points there, but we know Bobbi has to survive considering she was up for a spin-off series. There’s some cool moments though in that entire sequence.

Really, the entire two hours hinges on the last 15 minutes which actually has some pretty hefty results including characters being injured, deaths, and in the final ten minutes a glimpse at the new status-quo. The finale really gives us a glimpse into the third season and what the new SHIELD will have to deal with, and it looks like they’ll need to become secret warriors.

And that last-minute…. didn’t see that coming.

Overall Score: 7.25

As tensions rise between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Inhumans, Skye finds herself torn between the groups; Coulson reveals a secret.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. picked up post Avengers: Age of Ultron, much like the previous season did after Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There’s some oddness to it, as Coulson says that Fury is alive and well in a roundabout way, and no one bats an eye. It also quickly leads to a new status-quo for S.H.I.E.L.D., something else that wraps up rather quickly.

The episode does reference the movie often, using its events as a cautionary tale as to how not to function, which is an interesting route to go, and sets up S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers as adversaries down the road.

There are two nice things that are sort of revealed. The first is what the Theta Protocol is. The second is what’s being hidden in the basement. The former is wrapped up nicely, the latter… no idea what it is.

Much of the episode revolves around the first real meeting between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Inhumans and Raina’s visions as well as Raina’s habits to manipulate folks. There’s some twists and turns and it’s pretty clear where things are going at times with an ending that’s rather predictable.

With one episode left, it’s war!

Overall Score: 7.25

Gonzales and Coulson must find a way to put their differences aside and work together against HYDRA, even if it means teaming up with someone they don’t trust.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. got a bit better this episode as Coulson lays the cards on the table for Gonzales as to what’s up and why Gonzales should trust him.

Just like old times the team comes up with an over the top scheme to get in and get the job done, but can they really trust each other? Really the episode is more about Ward and his attempt to find some redemption for all of the things he did. It comes up over and over, and it’ll be interesting to see where the series goes from here for the character.

The bigger thing is Gonzales, who clearly has some greater plans for the enhanced beings and has some things going on we don’t know about.

For the last couple of weeks Marvel has been hinting that there’s a bigger tie-in to Avengers: Age of Ultron, and this episode we finally get that. There’s some small teases about twins, but the last ten minutes of this episode is what we’ve been waiting to see, the lead in to the movie, and it has me excited. Hopefully they continue with it, because acting as an extension of the movies is where the show is the strongest.

Overall Score: 7.75

A dangerous new alliance is formed as Coulson and Hunter turn to the last person anyone would expect, Grant Ward! As the war between S.H.I.E.L.D. factions continues, Skye and Lincoln will find themselves drawn into this conflict.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is daughter/daddy night as Skye and her father get to know each other. They still haven’t quite explained who Calvin is for non-comic fans (ie what makes him special), so watching actor Kyle MacLachlan is pretty entertaining as he bounces around his mood.

But really, the episode is about bringing storylines together. Coulson decides he has to make a deal with the devil to figure out what’s going on and get closer to take on Hydra. That involves recruiting Grant, and of course things go wrong and there’s double-crossing, and Skye gets whisked away. The episode was just a way to get a lot of major players together to lead into the end of the season.

There’s also a lot of advertising tying in the episode to Avengers: Age of Ultron. I haven’t seen the movie, so can’t say how well it does that, but it definitely doesn’t have the connection we saw in the first season, and feels a bit more forced.

Overall, the episode just is. There’s lots of action. The acting isn’t as horrible as it has been the last few episodes. It told a somewhat entertaining story. It just…. was.

Overall Score: 7.25

The story of Melinda May’s transformation into “The Cavalry” is revealed as she finds herself at a crossroads in the war between Coulson and Gonzales. As Skye learns more about her true heritage from Lincoln, the truth about Inhumans will send her in a new direction.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a night of revelations including Melinda May’s past and why she has the reputation she does. It also involves Skye’s history and the revelation of her parents to her. All of it is tied together in a way that’s a bit too convenient and tied together. Marvel does a great job of tying together its series, but this episode conveniently ties in Melinda’s past with the whole Inhuman thing. It’s a bit too far. Skye learning about her power is nice, and how they explain it is very cool.

The episode also reveals Raina’s ability, which is cool. We also get to finally find out what Fury’s toolbox is.

The acting is a bit better than last week…. but it’s still a bit sub-par compared to previous episodes. Still, the series is moving along the Inhuman story well enough, and is doing what Marvel can’t do in the movies.

Here’s hoping the hype pays off in future episodes, time will tell.

Overall Score: 7.25

As Robert Gonzalez makes his move, Coulson must do whatever it takes to protect the future of S.H.I.E.L.D. Meanwhile Skye’s journey to control her powers take a surprising turn when she meets the enigmatic Inhuman named Lincoln.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. kicks off with lots of revelations right away, and some interesting things that might seem familiar for Marvel comic fans.

Skye is in a weird land, having been brought there by the mysterious Gordon. Is this land possibly connected to Iron Fist who’ll be on Marvel’s Netflix series? Is this MountWundagore? Is this one of the lost Inhuman tribes that have been mentioned in Marvel comics? All are possibilities and as a comic fan, holy crap am I excited and hoping we find out more.We’re also introduced to a new Inhuman Lincoln Campbell who has electrical powers. Played by Luke Mitchell, he might have won the award for worst acting on the show. He has electrical/energy powers. There’s a lot of possibilities of who he might be, or he might be a new one. No matter, he’s a horrible actor.On Coulson’s side of things, he has a plan to get back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and free his team.Choices are given to lots of folks Skye, Coulson, May, and more. It’s all pretty coolstorywise…. but what was up with the acting!? Two steps ahead, three steps back I guess.

Overall Score: 7.25

(There’s a spoiler below. Highlight the text to see what it says if you want it to be revealed – the Management)

Tonight’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to explore the encroaching conflict between the two factions of S.H.I.E.L.D.  The exploration of multiple schools of thought within S.H.I.E.L.D. is quite an enticing hook and adds a fresh wrinkle to the conventional S.H.I.E.L.D. vs HYDRA formula. It is a real credit to the writers that they are able to keep the story fresh while keeping it organically tied to the growing cross-media MCU.

Tonight’s story is told, with a series of juxtaposing flashbacks that take place during the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. occurring  in events of the Winter Soldier (Captain America 2). I thought this was really powerful plot device. It not only solidifies AoS’s legitmacy as a chronicle for both S.H.I.E.L.D. and the MCU, It adds intrigue and anticipation for further developments to come.

Anti-Nick Fury sentiment has been a staple with Marvel’s comic canon, particularly the politics of S.H.I.E.L.D. It is a real pleasure to see this played out on the small screen. Tonight’s episode reaffirms Fury’s larger than life impact in the MCU especially considering how much he affects the landscape when he isn’t even there. If you didn’t respect Fury as much before this episode you will after this one, especially after learning the composition of the toolbox he entrusted to Coulson *spoiler* (Vibranium). A reveal that should have fanboys and girls drooling for a while.

At the heart of this episode is the question of Fury and by extension Coulson’s credibility. The two S.H.I.E.L.D.’s approach the same goal namely world security but go about it through fundamentally different means. Where the currency of Fury’s espionage was the selective wielding and use of secrets,  This new allegedly more democratic shield envisions them as a fatal flaw. To quote Bobbi Morse “Secrets are what brought down S.H.I.E.L.D. the first time” I love this conflict. S.H.I.E.L.D. is essentially torn against itself in a war of transparency versus strategic compartmentalization this feels like the perfect set up for the upcoming Civil War Movie.

The arsenal of Fury’s discretion (or indiscretions) namely alien biology (Kree/Inhumans /Skye) advanced weaponry and hidden knowledge have now become pieces on very complex chessboard. Opportunity costs that all players scramble for in order to contain, control or destroy. It’s a very fascinating time in the MCU.

Agents of Shield started out as the unsure newcomer as it struggled to find its place in an established world. It is self-evident how much the series has grown spreading its wings boldly in a new area and planting new seeds for more developments in the franchise. New intrigues, new players, new questions. I am excited and you should be too.

Overall Score: 10

Final Thoughts  / Speculations

I will never tire of the eternal badassery of Agent Melinda May. I hear that Kill Bill siren whenever she’s about to drop some poor soul.

Seeing Skye enjoy her powers and Gord’s speech about connection and vibration were very beautiful moments

I initially suspected Mack and Bobbi to be working for S.W.O.R.D. (The Sentient World Observation & Response Department)  With all this concern over the misuse and misunderstanding of alien powderkegs perhaps the two factions will come to an amicable agreement and we will see the founding of S.W.O.R.D. and their cooperation as sister agencies. With all of marvel’s cosmic properties inbound (GOTG2, Avengers Infinity War, etc.) this is not entirely outside the realm of possibilities.

If my speculation is correct would someone please.PLEASE cast Rose McGowan and Agent Abigail Brand?

If you haven’t read Whedon’s run of X-Men which introduced the space espionage agency S.W.O.R.D. please do you self a favor and do so immediately.