Tag Archives: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E19 Failed Experiments

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoCoulson and his team race to combat Hive’s control over the Inhumans, as their enemy’s deadly plan for the human race is revealed.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fails miserably this episode which has Hive’s plan revealed and it eventually involves getting Kree to show up after his first step fails. It also includes SHIELD staring on and failing in an assault on Hive.

Where to even begin….

There’s the rewriting of Inhuman history which somehow makes the Hydra rewrite not look as bad.

There’s the involvement of Kree, which again makes little sense and rewrites an exciting origin (you have multiple to choose from). And that involvement is not the origin of Inhumans which is covered in about 5 minutes, but also two Kree soldiers showing up. That should be exciting, but instead it’s laughably bad in almost B movie sort of way.

There’s the inability of Coulson to take actual action to stop Hive and Hydra. If they’re this much of a threat, why not bomb the place? Call in superheroes. Do more than send a small group of people!

There’s Lincoln deciding to not think things through and doing idiotic things. I’ve never wanted a character to die more.

The episode just fails again and again the while the last couple of episodes were an improvement, this one is a massive step back in every way. Not only is the plot nonsensical but the acting has gotten worse (Ward as Hive is painfully bad now).

The show has hinted the death of someone. At this point I hope it’s everyone.

Overall Score: 6.1

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E18 The Singularity

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoHive has the team reeling as he continues to sway Inhumans to his side, but hope remains as Agents Fitz and Simmons follow a lead that could end Hive’s reign.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has the team going after a possible “cure” to take on Hive as Hive goes on a mission to recover an Inhuman item.

While the team is figuring out how to get Daisy back the big focus of the episode is really about Fitz and Simmons moving their relationship forward. There’s lots of discussion about the awkwardness and how things might proceed. The discussion overall is rather awkward actually… like written really weird.

The episode is a decent one. Better than most of the season, but still not as good as the series has been. But, it’s heading in a better direction, so that’s good.

I think part of what’s throwing me off is that Hive’s master plan doesn’t feel much like one. He dances around what he wants to do and his goal is, but it’s still not clear, unlike Hydra which just wanted to take over the world. The use of the Inhumans by Hive too has a second rate feel about it all too. It just doesn’t quite totally click.

The season is heading towards its finale, and while it’s getting better, it’s still really choppy and not quite clicking that the series has in the past.

Overall Score: 8.15

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E17 The Team

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoAgent Daisy Johnson must call upon the Secret Warriors for an inaugural mission that will leave no member unscathed, and S.H.I.E.L.D. learns more about Hive’s powers, forcing them to question everyone they trust.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a pretty solid episode that goes through too much too quickly I think but does an excellent job of building tension throughout the episode until an eventual reveal towards the end.

The episode has the Secret Warriors go after Malick and capture him. From there the episode focuses on one the Secret Warriors being infected by Hive. The episode is seriously just focused on who the “traitor” is with lots of fingers being pointed and everyone trying to figure out the answer. There’s lots of false clues and red hearings to through us off on who the traitor is, but by the end (and really when you think about the biggest emotional impact), it’s pretty clear as to who the traitor most likely is.

The last 10 minutes of the episode is the big reveal, as usual, with a pretty big change at the end that should be interesting to see where the final episode of the season goes. There’s still the eventual tie-in with Captain America: Civil War too to deal with.

The episode is one of the better for the season, here’s hoping it keeps it up.

Overall Score: 8.15

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E16 Paradise Lost

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoThe team hunts for information on a new enemy; Malick’s secret from his past threatens to destroy his Hydra legacy.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. bounces back from the previous week’s rather weak episode. That’s achieved by focusing some emotional oomph into Malick and giving us a revealing look into the character that’s actually fascinating and adds depth to the character.

Malick has been rather cagey with the return of the Hydra being/Ward and we learn why tonight as Malick’s history with the character is revealed and we learn more about the ceremony that Hydra would perform to send individuals into the other world. It’s actually interesting and to me it shows that the series might actually be more interesting with a Hydra focus (I know it defeats the purpose of the show). But, what it shows is that the series can have a lot of emotional depth and that it often lacks. It can be done. It can be done well.

Beyond that, the SHIELD team is split with some going after Malick’s associate Mr. Giyera while Daisy and Lincoln head out to find their own lead as to what’s going on. This is not as interesting though Daisy’s plot should raise some eyebrows for Marvel fans and fans of the Inhumans. Its felt like a while since we had some good comic nods, and this is potentially a big one.

The episode is much better than last week as Ward’s plan is revealed a lot more and Hydra’s planning gets rolling. But, what’s more exciting is finally revealing the Secret Warriors which we’ll see in action next episode.

The season has been uneven, but this is a better episode than we’ve seen.

Overall Score: 7.64

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E15 Spacetime

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoDaisy gets a terrifying glimpse into the future and S.H.I.E.L.D. tries to prove her vision isn’t set in stone.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is an interesting episode attempting to have some fun with an Inhuman power that allows an individual to see the future. So, the question is, can you change your fate? The bigger question is, can you avoid a cliche and a story we’ve seen done numerous times elsewhere?

The episode is really just a build of folks going out of their way to avoid what is seen and then the last 10 to 15 minutes is the reveal as to whether that’s the case. There’s some ok things and some small hints here and there, but the episode overall is very blah.

There’s some fights, there’s some more foreshadowing of things to come, but the episode really gets us nowhere and lacks excitement to justify the hour. By the time the episode is over it feels like nothing of importance has happened other than a new Inhuman is discovered, but then he dies, so doesn’t really matter.

I’d think this episode sets up some things to come, but even then there’s nothing of major significance or no events were vital to get us to any point in this episode. Everything could have happened in another episode and sped up the narrative a bit.

The episode feels like a waste and one that there’s just no reason that it’s needed to be watched. When you can skip an episode and miss nothing of importance, that’s not a good sign.

Overall Score: 6.1

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E14 Watchdogs

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoA radical group emerges with plans to eliminate Inhumans and Agent Mack is caught in the crossfire with his brother. Elsewhere: Simmons unearths a powerful chemical compound that could impact the future for Inhumans.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is again full of potential and doesn’t quite reach the level it could or should. The show focuses on a vigilante group called the Watchdogs, a hate group hunting Inhumans with some pretty cool technology. Mixed into that all Mack is dealing with his brother who has some sympathetic feelings for the Watchdogs.

The episode could do some excellent work when to comes to exploring hate groups, especially with the fact that Mack and his brother are African-American. And though the show touches upon it all a bit, it never quite fully commits to the allegory.

There’s some cute moments here and there and it gives SHIELD a new focus on the Watchdogs, who unfortunately are just another arm of Hydra instead of being used they way they should, a domestic terrorist organization.

The cute fun moments don’t quite make up for what is essentially a bridge episode that never lives up to its potential.

Overall Score: 7.1

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E13 Parting Shot

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoBobbi and Hunter become trapped in an assassination plot after tracking Malick to  Russia. Also, the S.H.I.E.L.D. team is changed forever after trying to save lives that are on the line.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a bit of a mixed bag with this episode. There’s a focus on the continuation of last week’s episode, but lets face it, the episode doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense in the grand scheme of things.

But, the episode is really about Bobbi and Hunter in a huge way. The episode has them trapped and facing possible execution for an opt that goes really wrong. What really surprises me is how little fanfare the episode has gotten in the lead up. For those paying attention the big picture of things, we know these two are going to be spun out into their own show Marvel’s Most Wanted with a pilot on order.

This episode in a way is their send off from the show on to their own thing, though I’m sure it’ll be back. While the 50 minutes leading up to the end really make little sense and is just plotted horribly (really, a President meeting with a General in some crap basement. A shadow bad guy, sigh), the end of the episode is actually rather touching in many ways.

50 minutes of bad for 10 minutes of good. And I think that sums up a lot of what this series is, lots of really bad to get to the little good, and this good, is REALLY good. It’s kind of hard not to be touched a bit with the ending.

Here’s hoping the series figures out how to give us more of of those 10 minute moments and less of the 50 minutes.

Overall Score: 7.1

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S3E12 The Inside Man

Agents_of_SHIELD_logoCoulson and General Talbot are forced to team up and attend a symposium on Inhumans, where they believe Malick has an inside man, but a surprising traitor is revealed.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has a decent action filled plot with this latest episode that feels like it’s more about relationships between a couple of key folks than the bigger picture, because in the end, not a whole lot happens.

The twists and turns aren’t too surprising, they just move the plot along really spending time until we get the bigger picture as to what Ward is.

On the relationship front, it’s all about Coulson/Talbot and Skye/Lincoln. Coulson and Talbot now have to work together, and here we get a sense of how that’s going to be and Skye and Lincoln move forward in the clear relationship they have (which also has me betting Lincoln gets killed by Warn at some point).

None of it is very exciting for me, and the episode feels like it’s generally going through the motions without much else. I know there’s a bigger picture here, but this episode feels a bit blah getting us there. There’s some action, but even that isn’t anything new or exciting.

This is a forgettable episode in a rather uneven season. It’ll probably be important in the scheme of the season, but on its own, it’s probably one you can skip.

Overall Score: 6.7

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Comes to WonderCon

agents of shield secret warriors 1The cast and Executive Producers of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be heading to WonderCon in Los Angeles! Join them for an exclusive panel Q&A session at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, March 26.

The Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel will be moderated by Marvel’s Head of Television and series Executive Producer, Jeph Loeb, and will include a Q&A discussion where fans can get a glimpse of what’s ahead for the team in season three. Fans lucky enough to attend will also get a sneak peek at an upcoming episode of the series before it airs on ABC as well as a limited edition show-themed mini-poster, featuring never-before-seen art by Marvel comic artist, Mike McKone.

Can’t make the panel? Fans can catch the cast at a poster signing after the panel in the private signing room.

EVENT INFORMATION:

SATURDAY, MARCH 26:

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — Panel Session and Poster Giveaway

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM in Room 408AB

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Cast Signing Event and Poster Giveaway

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in the private signing room.

Please note that signings are ticketed events and passes will be available via a ticket drawing beginning at 7:30 AM on Saturday, March 26th in West Hall A.

TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of Shield: Bouncing Back (A Second Take)

NATALIA CORDOVA-BUCKLEY, HENRY SIMMONSOn Tuesday, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returned from it’s mid season hiatus with the episode’s appropriate namesake we are introduced to more Inhumans, namely Yo-Yo Rodriguez AKA Slingshot from the secret warriors title and another I assume to be Gorgon from the same comic series.  The episode is marked by a meeting between director Coulson the US President following the recent bout between Hydra and SHIELD. The meeting clears up SHIELDS official status or lack thereof. While the President feels its too soon to bring SHIELD back in an official capacity following the events of the Winter Soldier, he recognizes the necessity of SHIELD’s mission and gives Coulson his blessing albeit unofficially. While the ATCU will serve as the public face of the governmental response to the Inhuman crisis, they will be taking their orders unofficially from SHIELD.

AoS as a series as come a long way finding its place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as I have mentioned before it has succeeded in the task of adding to the rich tapestry of the MCU while carving out it’s own place and standing on its own. The introduction of the Secret Wars team/property is smart one, as it maintains both of these accomplishments.  Those with an ear to the ground may have caught wind of the alleged rivalry between Marvel Studios and Marvel TV, with the former hesitant to give creative/ jurisdiction or headway to the latter where storytelling is concerned. This is particularly the case with the Inhumans property. However this is resolved the impact should be minimal. Secret Warriors as a property has always centered on secrecy and fighting those invisible (yet nevertheless epic) espionage conflicts.  The team in the comics were identified not only for the powers but for the fact that few others knew about them. As a group running parallel to the Avengers it makes perfect sense for Marvel TV to embrace their ambit.  First they have free reign introduce any original character they wish as we have already seen with Joey as well as Lincoln and second, not all members of the SW team need to be Inhuman. Whatever path the producers choose there is plenty of space in the field to tell a story that does not step on too many toes. AoS has now provided a very good opportunity for cross media story telling that could dovetail into the MCU proper. While AoS and has itself benefitted from the story of the larger MCU whether the reverse will actually happen remains to be seen. An interesting article about this can be found here.

NATALIA CORDOVA-BUCKLEYThe Inhumans are becoming a high profile issue at least in this corner of the MCU, and I am really curious how this will play into the whole upcoming Civil War (if at all). At the very least we’ve seen that they have become a very strategic macguffin that both SHIELD and HYDRA are scrambling for. This made me ponder Luke’s revelation that Terrigenesis outcomes are not random and that some intelligent natural design is at work to maintain  some sort of equibrilium. This reminded me of the Red Queen Hypothesis.  Coulson gave some thoughts as to this equilibrium was being played out with both shield and hydra inhuman recruitments. This is an interesting point to consider given the symbiotic nature of Hydra and SHIELD both in the MCU and Comic Canon. This also gives a nod to the Inhuman series that has long established that terrigenesis serves the long term needs of the Inhuman community, how this will play out in the MCU with all the various factions remain to be seen but I am excited all the same to see it.

I must give full credit to the writers of the show for navigating a politically contentious mandate (studio wise) while structuring a story that stands on the legs of both the general MCU, as well classic comic stories.  This episode represents are marked improvement from those of   pre-midseason  The mythos of Hydra has been established and the organization reinvigorated with shield’s place on the other hand cemented in the world.

Final Thoughts
Mack and Yo-Yo overcoming their language barrier was a nice touch.
The encounter on a whole seemed to warm Mack up a bit, where his prior xenophobia was concerned.

Coulson’s frequent negotiation of SHIELD’s status presents a striking parallel that that which the producers of AoS seem required to do given the current studio politics. If this has been used as deliberate inspiration for the story, I must give kudos to the producer/writers.

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