Wednesday 5 February 2014

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. so far

Channel 4’s decision to wait until March now makes sense, as the show came back in the US six weeks ago and has only run three episodes and now goes off again for three weeks. (Which seems bonkers, especially showing just one last night with three weeks on either side.) One advantage is that it sets up a second mid-season cliffhanger. Disadvantage is that it follows a very fun episode with another gap.

Spoilers for three whole episodes below. And for earlier in the season too.

Coulson brings the cool, fun, charming, authoritative - and in the first episode back also brings the AAAAGH.

May is still basically TV’s Black Widow but that’s awesome so I don’t mind. Fitz and Simmons remain cute. Ward is a bit more likeable as a not-entirely-serious take on the stock character. Skye is warming up too, particularly with Coulson’s father-figure dynamic.

And we have the origin of a new version of a Marvel character I’ve known and liked since I was a kid - spun to make it as painful as possible by starting at the beginning and making everything go wrong bit by bit. It’s really quite effective.

Ian Hart as Hall/Graviton hasn’t come back yet - this version has a nice motivation which sets him at odds with Coulson well so I look forward to seeing more of them.

Looking forward to Bill Paxton, and the crossover with Sif.

One thing we haven’t had yet is a really standout single episode. Repairs with the “ghost” is the best of the bunch as it takes them a few steps out of their usual genre, but I’d like to see them go for something a bit bonkers. Maybe not Hush or Once More With Feeling or Smile Time bonkers, but maybe Blink bonkers or That Episode Of The X Files With The Jim Rose Circus Sideshow bonkers.

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