Daisy and Simmons are the only hope is to save everyone in a world controlled by Hydra.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is back after a brief break with a new episode that dives deep into the world Ada has created that has Hydra taking over into the role of SHIELD.

This is an alternate world episode and storyline that we’ve seen done before so many times and like so many of those previous times, this is really good and entertaining.

By twisting the characters we’ve known it feels like the show has really looked into this world and has gotten ahold of who they are and what makes them tick. The result is a mirror world and one that’s solid storytelling.

But, what really impresses me about this episode is the small details that it throws out there. There’s an entire debate about Hydra and their roots in Nazism as if a wink and nod to the real world debate going on about changes of Hydra presented by Marvel comics (yes they’re Nazis).

Jemma is the center of the episode and everything about her and this episode are the small details. From the dark circles under her eyes to the bruises to the fact her voice is messed up for much of the episode, it all comes together. Then add in the choices with the visuals as a whole with a slight filter to the color to let us know this isn’t the real world. It all adds up to the best episode of the season and one of the best of the series. This episode shows off what could have been with such a focus on the small details and how it rights it gets everything.

A lot of the episode is the fun of finding out what’s different and how it all shakes up so I don’t want to spoil too much of that, but the episode is solid with a great emphasis on what makes each character interesting. There’s intrigue, action, and some surprise twists.

As the title says, what if? And that’s the worst thing about the episode, is that it makes me ask “what if” the entire series had this much attention given to it. It shows off the flaws of what’s come before but at least we’re getting this and hopefully, what’s to come continues whatever new energy and vision the series seems to have.

Overall Score: 9.25

As more LMDs infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D., suspicion begins to turn to paranoia among the members of Coulson’s team.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. gives us an entertaining dive into the rabbit hole as the episode progresses and we’re wondering more and more who is an LMD and who isn’t. While I’d have liked a slow build to it all, this episode delivers what I’ve been looking for going with an almost psychological horror as we question everything. The episode is the last before a month break and it leaves us with a lot of action and an ending of the episode that’s the best of the season so far, and one of the best episode endings of the series.

As I said, the episode is a spiral and a build up. There’s only a few agents left to mount a resistance against the LMDs and even then, have they been compromised? That’s the question we’re left with over and over. We never fully know exactly who is still themselves and who is an LMD. That’s some solid work as we’re kept on our toes.

The episode also amps things up with Aida who is also spiraling in her own way, into craziness. She makes some shocking moves that will change things.

But, it’s the last 15 minutes or so of the episode, especially the last 5 that really ups the excitement for what’s to come. We get to see what everyone’s fantasies are within the program giving us a better idea about their wants and desires and while some are obvious, some are quite shocking.

And that’s what’s great about this episode, its ability to shock with twists. This is one of the strongest of the entire season as it keeps things very simple but builds upon the ongoing story. More like this please!

Overall Score: 8.95

Coulson and the team engage in a deadly cat-and-mouse game as they work to rescue Director Mace, who is fighting for his life.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. after what feels like forever we finally get the origin of the man who is obsessed with Coulson and the head of the Watchdogs. And after all of the waiting… it’s underwhelming. It’s underwhelming to an extent that Coulson even acknowledges it with a “cool origin bro.”

The episode focuses on a couple of things, two of which are trying to find individuals. There’s Director Mace who is being held by the Watchdogs and in usual bad guy fashion is toyed with for unknown reasons. Then there’s finding May.

There’s a lot to the episode that left me scratching my head. Quake fighting the non-powered Watchdog head in hand to hand combat when she could end it in two seconds by using her powers. Then there’s her leaving him after winning. And some of the other bad guys get away eventually!?

It’s all really choppy and weird with plot points that make little sense at all.

And then there’s those last ten minutes where a twist is revealed as to why things played out the way they did… which left me with… huh!?

For those who read comics, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. feels like it’s taking a lot of ideas from Marvel’s Secret Invasion storyline leaving viewers to question who’s real and who’s not. It’s fun, but the episode has also gone a bit over the top with it all giving us reveals at odd times leaving out the shock of it all.

While I generally like the concept of where this season has gone, it hasn’t quite played things the way I’d like, expect, or make sense. In the end, this episode left us with one too many decoys.

Overall Score: 7.85

An explosive Inhuman surfaces and the team are tasked with containing it. Elsewhere: Coulson and Mack encounter Radcliffe’s inspiration for Aida.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. gives us a bang and brand new villain who is kind of like Nitro in a way. An Inhuman that expands in gass and creates an explosion.

The episode is interesting in that it kills off at least one character and gives some more depth for Radcliffe as a character. We now know why he wanted to create the LMDs and the world that Melinda now inhabits. It’s touching in some ways.

The issue I have with the episode is it’s pretty clear as to what’s being set up for the future. The agents will be forced to choose between saving Melinda and killing this person we’re introduced to. It’s pretty obvious this is where things are going. But, again, the segment adds a lot of depth.

The bigger thing of the episode is introducing us more in the folks that are pulling the strings of the Watchdogs and Senator Nadeer. I’m not quite sure where it’s all going, and it’s at least interesting because it’s not Hydra, so something new and it feels like we’re getting a good villain for Coulson to go up against.

The real bad of the episode is too many football references. It feels like the writers know that the Super Bowl was the past weekend so they specifically had this football sub-theme running through things. It was noticeable, and a little irritating due to cheese factor.

The episode is one of the better ones this season. There’s solid action and a good new villain. It adds some depth to some characters. It also moves the bigger picture story forward. Other than some eye-rolling dialogue, it’s actually one of the more solid episodes this season.

Overall Score: 7.85

Coulson and the team race to save agents Sam and Bill Koenig from those triyng to get their hands on the Darkhold book.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings back the Koenigs in a fun episode that plays off guest star Patton Oswalt’s deadpan humor. We also learn a bit more about them too! Like the original that got them all into SHIELD… who is not what you’d expect.

There’s something endearing seeing Oswalt play off himself in three different roles, each with their own personalities. The episode revolves around them and their hiding the Darkhold and a search to find them and it.

We also get some more reasons for at least one of the villain’s motivations this season with a pretty interesting twist at the end that seems like there’s a big target being placed on Coulson. With a reveal of who’s an LMD and who’s not, things are heading to a collision course.

This episode is a stronger one of the season adding some depth to motivations mixed with some humor to it all. I think the lesson is clear, more Oswalt please!

Overall Score: 7.85