After the events of ‘Yes Men’, the game has most definitely been changed on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ for Agent Coulson and his team. When we last saw the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s men (and women) in black, they were assisting Lady Sif retrieve Lorelei, an Asgardian siren with the power to control men with only her voice and her touch. As strong-willed as he is, Agent Ward fell under her spell and the sorceress nearly succeeded in her plan until Sif and S.H.I.E.L.D. stormed in to lay the smackdown.
Now, only days before ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ hits theaters in the US, the latest episode of Marvel’s movie adjacent television program offers up a game changer. In ‘End of the Beginning’, some familiar faces in dark suits from throughout this season reunite on the Bus as they pursue the Clairvoyant. Coulson and company are joined by Agents Hand, Sitwell, Blake, Garrett, and Triplett in the hunt for the elusive villain and they know that they’re close because Deathlok is there to stop them at every turn. However, as it looks like the case is close to being closed, a wrench is thrown into the whole thing as the team is at each other’s throats because it appears that they might have disposed of the wrong Clairvoyant.
First of all, I have already seen Cap’s new movie. This isn’t bragging. I mean, normally it would be, but I almost wish that I hadn’t seen it before I saw this episode because I feel like I would have been much more surprised by everything going on. That being said, this week’s episode was pretty amazing. The action was fast paced, the twists were unpredictable, and there were some solid moments of character growth. Honestly, aside from an Avenger cameo, I couldn’t ask for a single thing more out of this show right now. The end of the beginning is upon us and when the new beginning dawns, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will not be the same.
As much as I’d love to talk at length about the ramifications of this episode and of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ on the future Marvel movies, I’m going to talk about Deathlok before I spoil anything for anyone. In the past, I said that I wished that the former Mike Peterson had more of a resemblance to his comic book counterpart. Well, this episode showed some evolution in the character’s appearance and showed that he looked more like the source material than I had first thought. The only difference is that he looks like the rampaging cyborg under his skin. The shot where they showed the x-ray of the Clairvoyant’s super-soldier revealed a picture perfect replication of the traditional look of Deathlok and it looked super cool! And to match the badass body mods inside, he got some new artillery attachments to spice things up. I really like what’s been going on with Deathlok and I hope things continue on the upswing for J. August Richards’ character.
Finally, the twist at the end was freaking genius! After that post-credits scene with Agent May on the private line, I thought for sure that something sinister was afoot. And then when Fitz, Coulson, and Skye caught on, that standoff scene had me on the edge of my seat. But I guess that the writers really did their job and worked that misdirection plot point really well because I totally didn’t see what happened next coming. Victoria Hand, you sly fox you…
Moving forward, ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ will be a very different show. Not only is this Clairvoyant business changing the game for the agents, but ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ will play such a huge role in how things proceed going forward. Next week’s episode features the aftermath of the next Phase Two film and judging by the preview, it’s going to be a slobberknocker. Seriously, if you people haven’t given this show another chance yet, then you’re doing it wrong. I mean, this might be the best episode since the pilot, so you bet your ass I’m sticking around to find out what happens next.
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‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ starring Brett Dalton, Ming-Na Wen, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Chloe Bennet, and Clark Gregg airs on Tuesdays at 8:00pm on ABC.
