Although Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. took a thanksgiving week off, it left us with its best ever episode to linger over as the many tangled heads of Hydra turned out to be much longer than expected. Those big twists and shock revelations present a tough act for this return episode to follow. A task you’ll very quickly see that it’s up to as this follow up comes very close to matching it.
Closure – After Grant Ward makes a shocking move to hurt Coulson, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. becomes to finally put an end to his former team member, which means closing some dark lines. Gideon Mallick kidnaps Fitz and Simmons ahead of opening a new portal to make them tell him how to bring people back again.
It’s been seen said recently that Shield’s cast has become too bloated. Well, this episode takes some steps against that but be warned, you may not like all of them. However, sacrifices are not made without purpose as they push Coulson’s character down a much darker “whatever it takes” path with thrilling results the show neuters his composure if favour of rash outbursts heavily anti-protocol plans. He gets some powerfully dramatic moments, especially in the opening act as he deals with the opening events. In fact, he has a scene of walking through the S.H.I.E.L.D. base to his office, still covered in blood, is one of the strongest moments all season, as every character slowly turns to him walking past while the solemn music rises. As the episode continues, there’s a great examination of the similarities between Ward and Coulson. Ward frequently taunts Coulson with it but the episode does a great job of showing us it’s true when they are motivated to the emotional extreme. Case on point, we see both of separately smashing phones in frustration when something goes badly against their plan. Also, that they can be blindsided and manipulated by those they care about. Ward’s choice of weakness comes a little out of nowhere but makes up for it with the curious insights it delivers into his past. The subject of exploring Ward also needs a great early feature in Coulson’s interviewof the original team. It makes sense that Daisy knew him best because oddly he was playing her the least out of all of them. His speculation about Ward’s notably death count being a defensive emotional reflex is also a great reflection on his character, “The reason Ward kills isn’t because he feels nothing, it’s because he feels too much”. In short, death gives Ward closure and we even see Mallick speculating the same thing about him later.
The Hydra story is a double success of satisfaction this week, and setting up some big stakes for next week’s mid-season finale. Over this season, Fitz and Simmons have become the show’s best paired couple (arguably from the start but season 2 was off for them) so any story that utilizes their relationship will always be a win. The separated torture/interrogation setup that befalls could easily have felt overly generic, but our investment in the pair and understanding of their mutual feelings sops that from happening. Ward also gets bonus points for his Fury Road reference in labelling Simmons’s new tougher exterior as a, “Furiosa vibe”. The play out of Hydra’s portal mission develops into a nice little Stargate love letter. From the ring/gate like section added to the floor well to the team’s familiar looking camo gear from the film. The biggest surprise is Ward taking point on the mission but not after a terrific scene of Mallick convincing him to put aside his personal revenge for bigger picture. As for Coulson’s final move.... all we can really say is that Ethan Hunt approves. This leaves Coulson and Ward in immediate pile on the anticipation for the next episode.
The Director Mack events prove to be much less filler than they initially appear, and there’s no denying that when he finally starts acting the role and use his commanding voice, the big man is an utter badass! It also delivers one joyous and long overdue development. After tip-toeing around the promise all season, this episode finally sees the Secret Warriors team assemble on their first mission as Mack sends them to back Coulson up against Hydra. Although currently only 3 powers string of Daisy, Lincoln and Joey (from episode 1 and beyond with the power to melt and shape metal) this is still the right move of finally making them the official entity. We still have plenty of time for others to join their ranks and from his telekinetic reprisal this week, at least one Hydra Inhuman for them to face off against. Or in the words of the Mack himself, “Either you step up and do the dam job or you let the bad guys win” (Daisy was right, he deserved that fist bump).
This is exactly what a finale build up episode should be. It satisfies in its own right with plenty of single week pay offs but plays its biggest cards in build up for the following episode, which by the look of it will be quite out of this world.