Writers: Rafe Judkins, Lauren LeFranc,
Director: Bobby Roth,
Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Saffron Burrows, Maximiliano Hernandez,
Synopsis: The Agents head to The Hub where Fitz and Ward are sent on a dangerous mission.
After last week’s surprisingly phenomenal episode, it was time to sit and watch with the same anticipation that I had for the first episode. Finally characters were being explored and the action and dialogue were finding the perfect balance. But that was just one episode. Could it be that the level of quality would remain? The answer would be a very warm and welcome “yes”. Although it never quite hits the highs of its predecessor, it also remains consistent throughout, despite interlacing some its broadest comedy moments.
This time all superhero heroics are pushed to the side for more of what the show should be aiming for in the form of espionage. There are very few open references towards the cinematic world, which is a godsend. This truly felt as though it was the first time the show was trying to stand on its own two feet. Even last week’s entry focused on the Chitauri helmet plot device. It starts in teh thick of it, with Coulson taken captive and about to undergo some torture and information extraction. It’s a quick escape though, and the team are soon off to The Hub. The Hub is one of the bases of operation for S.H.I.E.L.D. and is also a place where many secrets are held. It’s nice to see Coulson and his team in the context of the whole organisation. Seeing them regarding as somewhat being the outcasts adds a little flavour to their upstream battle with ‘the man’..
Having level 8 clearance means Coulson is privy to certain information, with Agents Ward and May following behind on level 7. This idea of secrecy and covert operations becomes the main theme of the episode and wouldn’t go amiss being prevalent in the show as a whole. Skye tries to rally the team against the unfairness of it all, and how teams should share information, but the rest of the gang are very understanding as to the need for secrecy. Seeing the team react in such a way for very heartening, as they act like agents should act. It’s always annoying seeing films and TV shows in which characters that have been in this line of work for so long, suddenly decide to go against the formal rules.
From there we have two separate plots, with Ward and Fitz sent on a secret mission. They make the perfect odd couple, and Fitz gets the same attention that was offered Simmons last week. Seeing two characters I despised in the first 5 episodes quickly become my favourites just goes to show how important good writing is. Fitz has an understandable jealousy of Ward, but also proves his own worth when the chips are down. Ward is also portrayed as the super agent, but without any unlikable degree of cockiness. The show once again plays with conventions by having a hostage situation turn into one of frivolity as Fitz helps out some unsavoury characters in need. Meanwhile, Skye convinces Simmons to hack into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s computer network in order to find out about the mission that has been kept secret from them. It’s a wonderful comedic story, but also has an immature sensibility that makes the two characters feel as though they are high school girls; perhaps that’s part of its charm.
With cool gadgets and clear connections being tied between the group, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to evolve in the best possible way. The humour and heart are in the right places, although I do wonder about S.H.I.E.L.D.’s policy of forgiven insubordinates. ‘The Hub’ also makes it a priority to question the methods of undercover government agencies, with Fitz and Ward left without an extraction plan. Although looking at first like a condemnation of the higher-ups, we are reminded that Coulson has done such things in the past. Coulson also keeps his professionalism despite disagreeing wholeheartedly with his superiors. Getting serious without losing the fun, this is promising to be a huge turn around for the show.
Best Bit: Coulson’s one-sided consultation with Agent May is particularly hilarious, and also is quite telling of their close friendship. It’s an awesome piece of comedy that fits in with the genetics of the show. Quite how Ming-Na Wen is able to convey so much without doing anything in particular is a great testament to her wonderfully subtle acting abilities.
Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. hits Channel 4 every Friday at 8pm.
