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