Thursday, April 2, 2015

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - One Door Closes


S.H.I.E.L.D. vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. begins here. You know, I might be more interested in this storyline if it wasn't playing out as too spoiled teenagers arguing over the same Xbox gamertag. "You're not S.H.I.E.L.D.! I am!" "Nuh-uh, I called it first!" Anywho, everything starts when Coulson (Clark Gregg) calls out Mac (Henry Simmons) on his betrayal before realizing Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) is actually in on it. Betraying S.H.I.E.L.D. for another version of S.H.I.E.L.D. the pair work to smuggle Fury's special Pandora's Box out of the compound before getting caught. When that fails Adama, I mean Gonzales (Edward James Olmos) sends in the Marines, I mean "real" S.H.I.E.L.D. for back-up.

Being apart from S.H.I.E.L.D. protects Skye, at least for awhile. It also allows the new Inhuman the opportunity to be visited by someone who knows exactly what she's going through. Gordon (Jamie Harris) offers Skye (Chloe Bennet) a second perspective on the gift, not curse, she's been given and opens the door to joining his group. Based on the events of the episode it doesn't take Skye long to accept his offer opening up a new subplot involving Skye which should help flesh-out the role of the Inhumans on the show and beyond as well as allow the character to become more comfortable with her new-found abilities.



A few takeaways: Despite Gonzales belief he can win over the scientists no one is going to get May (Ming-Na Wen) to turn on Coulson. Bobbi witnessing Skye's powers to save herself from S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives (who certainly were not using icers) could play out in a variety of ways. Will she see this an example of why Skye needs to be controlled? Or will she blame herself and the other S.H.I.E.L.D. for forcing a friend to run into the arms of a potential enemy? And just what do Coulson and Hunter (Nick Blood), who somehow finds him, plan to do without any resources?

Skye's story is the best part of the episode followed by the flashbacks to "the day S.H.I.E.L.D fell" which offer plenty of scenes of Bobbi kicking some ass. By comparison May doesn't fair as well in the present. Sure she gets a warning to Skye and helps Coulson escape but rather than go with him (plenty of room in that elevator) she just turns over her gun and surrenders? You think she'd be better served keeping him alive on the outside, wouldn't you? Compared to Bobbi's team fighting impossible odds on a noble but questionable call in the flashbacks May's actions are borderline pathetic. Where's the Calvary?

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