"What" Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Has "Become"

Article originally written for Seat42F.

 

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. goes into its winter hiatus strong with “What They Become.” It’s a showdown above the hidden city as Daniel Whitehall (Reed Diamond), The Doctor (Kyle MacLachlan), and Director Coulson (Clark Gregg) all try to push their own agendas. Well, Coulson’s agenda is just to stop the other two before they bring about a cataclysmic event, but with the infighting among The Doctor and Whitehall, it becomes an all-out brawl. No one is listening to orders, and one of our heroes doesn’t make it out alive.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. sometimes lets plots fester too slowly, but that complaint cannot be lobbied against the current arc, which has unfolded quickly and excitingly. The writers have kept the adrenaline pumping and the twists coming, including learning we’ve already seen Skye’s mother (Dichen Lachman) this week, which feels more like one of their films than a twenty-some-installments-per-year television show, a good thing for this particular series to do. By the end of the hour, I’m left quite dissatisfied with the three month break, wanting to watch the next chapter immediately, so they’ve done their jobs well.

It’s been cool to see Skye’s (Chloe Bennet) growth throughout the show. She’s gone from an angry, insecure rebel to a polished, tough agent in a year and a half. Before May (Ming-Na Wen) trains her, she may not have been able to stand up to her father, The Doctor, so easily, nor would she have shot Ward (Brett Dalton) as she does, without blinking. She’s become someone who can take care of herself, and separated from the group, that really comes out in “What They Become.”

I’m eager to see the next stage in Skye’s evolution. “What They Become” ends with her transforming into something else entirely. It appears she is a being with superpowers, which will take an emotional and physical toll on her, but like a polished diamond, likely send her out the other side better than she came in. She has the presence to handle such a change now, as she did not before, and given who she is, it’ll be interesting to see how she chooses to use what she has.

It’s unlikely the new Skye will want to include her dad in her life, but may be forced to in order to find answers. Coulson beats The Doctor in one-on-one combat, but surely Coulson doesn’t kill him. If The Doctor is the only one (besides the faceless man in the epilogue) that can explain things to Skye, then she may need him, at least in a prisoner-behind-glass sort of arrangement, which MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has done before pretty well.

It’s sad that the cost of that transformation is Trip (B.J. Britt). He doesn’t die in a heroic, noble sacrifice. He dies doing his job and rushing to a friend’s side, unaware of the danger. Nor is Skye able to warn him, not knowing herself what is coming. His demise is purely an accident, one that will make Skye less likely to embrace her new self, as it’s a cost she wouldn’t choose to pay. It’s also a way for the series to lose an important, beloved player for a real emotional impact without touching its core cast, which makes sense from a practical standpoint.

Skye isn’t the only one that transforms, though. Right beside her, Raina (Ruth Negga) goes through a similar metamorphosis. We don’t understand Skye’s connection to Raina yet, but it’s fascinating the role that Raina plays in the show. She’s practically ever-present, and every time one might assume her story is over, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. brings her back to the forefront in a fresh development. She’s the villain that is always around, not purely evil and bent on world domination, but someone far less moral than our heroes, and one who gets in their way. Unlike Skye, Raina is eager for her change, and will probably be more willing to use any new powers she has gained. What are Raina’s goals now? Does the team need to stop her?

There are a plethora of wonderful, smaller moments in “What They Become,” too. From charged scenes between Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) and Hunter (Nick Blood), to a re-appearance of Mac (Henry Simmons), who looks like he may now be back to normal, to funny dialogue that the Koenigs (Patton Oswalt) toss to Trip, every scene is valuable. These bits are as important as the big stuff in keeping the series consistently engrossing and enjoyable, and they are very present in this truly excellent mid-season finale.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. returns in March on ABC. In the meantime, the network will air the seven-week MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER beginning in January.

"Enter" MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

Article first published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 9 Ye Who Enter Here on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. tees up a heck of a winter finale next week in its latest installment, “Ye Who Enter Here.” The team locates the hidden city and immediately goes to it, Hydra hot on their heels. Secrets are stumbled upon and the game unfolds unpredictably as the show rockets through plot at a quicker pace than it ever has, while still maintaining some good character-driven stuff.

It’s hard to tell how many of Whitehall’s (Reed Diamond) moves are planned and how many are on the fly in “Ye Who Enter Here.” He uses the S.H.I.E.L.D. tracking device in Raina (Ruth Negga) to follow her to the city and get her back, but is that something he figures out late in the game, or does he set Raina up in an elaborate machination? It certainly seems like Whitehall is thinking on his feet, which is a welcome leveling of the playing field, Hydra having been working at a distinct advantage for most of the season.

Of course, that advantage may be regained by the end of this hour. With both Raina and Skye (Chloe Bennet) in Hydra’s clutches, thanks to a newly recommitted Ward (Brett Dalton), Hydra hovers over the mysterious location and has The Bus at its mercy. At this point, Whitehall might be smart to kill everyone, which is exactly what he orders, though we don’t yet have the chance to see it play out.

Certainly the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. team will not be killed; without them, there would be no show. However, MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t shy away from knocking its leads out of their current orbits. Ward’s reveal as a villain is an example of that, and in the latest installment, Mac (Henry Simmons), who is not a main character but has become a much-valued member of the team this year, is changed, possibly forever, and possibly killed.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the hidden city so far. Mac is the first one down, after the drones lose power, and he transforms into some kind of super human. We don’t know why or how yet, but no amount of pleading with him will awaken the real Mac from this berserker body that attacks everyone else. The confrontation ends with Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) accidentally sending Mac falling down a shaft, which he may or may not survive, given his new state.

Coulson (Clark Gregg) seems a little callous when he tells Bobbi simply that that wasn’t Mac. He’s right, but we don’t know if Mac still exists inside the body or if Mac’s personality can come back to the surface. I certainly hope it does, as I would miss that character. But I’m more disturbed by Coulson’s transformation than Mac’s, as Coulson needs to still care deeply about his people, even if he’s finally finding the distance of leadership he also needs.

If Mac is gone, Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) is in trouble, as Mac is the one friend keeping Fitz going. Fitz and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) finally talk about the state of their broken relationship, but rather than hammer it out and make up, Fitz announces he’s transferring to the garage with Mac. It’s a heart-breaking development, even if it makes sense, because Mac really helps bring Fitz out of his shell and begin to heal. If Mac is out of the picture, Fitz might need Simmons back, whether he wants to admit it or not.

There are signs that a reconciliation is possible. Simmons has her own friends, too, sharing great scenes with Trip (B.J. Britt) and Bobbi in “Ye Who Enter Here.” But she also has time for Fitz, and seems less happy with the dissolution than he does, a decision he makes unilaterally. She still finishes his thought at the city entrance, so their bond is still there. I just can’t believe they are fully over, in large part due to the truly excellent chemistry the two performers share.

I can’t help but feel that Skye is key to what will happen next. She’s now a prisoner, but this week’s episode shows she’s progressed enough in her combat training to handle herself in a tough spot, so that’s not super worrying. Raina makes a number of references to Skye being special, something more than human, but not alien. Fans of the Marvel comic books are full of theories about Skye’s connection to the Inhumans, a subspecies of Homo sapiens created by the Kree, who are mentioned in “Ye Who Enter Here.” That is fascinating and I’m excited to see what introducing the Inhumans will do not just MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., but the whole Marvel franchise. However, I’m much more interested in Skye’s personal journey and how it may shift due to this.

I can’t end my review without mentioning how awesome it is to have Patton Oswalt playing not one, but two Agent Koenigs this week. The humor he brings to the proceedings is simply invaluable, and the man simply radiates talent. He is able to get a bit dramatic when confronting the killer of one of his brothers, and I think that’s a good layer for the Koenigs to have, but it’s also very valuable to have him tease others about how many brothers there are and have each of the two siblings featured this week claim the other is shorter. This is gold that show should continue to mine. He would make a valuable main character addition if they can lock him down.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has had an interesting fall run, perhaps not as intense as last spring’s story, but with some wonderful fresh faces and the foundation of another big arc. I am confident that next week’s fall finale is going to be a memorable one.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF SHIELD "Face" Another Challenge

Article first published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 4 Face My Enemy on Seat42F.

On MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., in an episode titled “Face My Enemy,” Coulson (Clark Gregg) and May (Ming-Na Wen) go undercover to obtain an artifact that has the same strange markings Coulson has been carving. They are hampered by a familiar face with unknown motives. Meanwhile, Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) may be the only one who can save the rest of the team when The Bus is sabotaged. But with his mental problems, is he up to the task?

“Face My Enemy” isn’t a relatively big episode, by any means. There are some nice character moments, but little movement on the larger arcs, the script mostly focused on a mission-of-the-week. This is disappointing as AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., like most shows, works best when it favors the overall story, rather than a procedural format. Hopefully, as in some of the rough episodes early in season one, the seeds planted this week will blossom into something more enticing as the year unfolds.

In looking at the characters, Fitz has the best plot. He is still stammering, still hallucinating Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), and growing very frustrated that he is no longer valued. I think he’s wrong that the others don’t care him, as they will do whatever they can to help, but he’s right that his importance is minimized, with a new lab being built without consulting him. These decisions may make sense logically, but Fitz’s feelings should be considered, too.

Fitz is determined to prove himself to be valuable once more. It’s no easy task, but an excellent opportunity presents itself when several lives, including his, are put on the line. Operating under pressure and strict time limits is a constant part of the job, and that’s when it’s most vital that Fitz step up. Thankfully, he does, working with Hunter (Nick Blood) in a couple of moving scenes that show Fitz not only getting better, professionally speaking, but starting to form new bonds of friendship, which will serve him well in his re-integration to the team.

At the same time that everyone on MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is able to stop worrying about Fitz, they need to start worrying about Coulson. Coulson clearly wants to help himself, going out into the field personally to recover the artifact in “Face Me Enemy,” rather than just sending his people. Yet, he himself wants to discuss contingency plans, naming May heir apparent, a mantle she doesn’t want to shoulder, as she’d rather devote her resources to taking care of Coulson.

How much should one really be worried about Coulson? He keeps saying he doesn’t want to end up like Garrett, but Garrett was part of Hydra long before he took the medication. His issues went far deeper than the connection he shares with Coulson. Coulson may lose his judgment and reasoning skills, but as long as May is able to help him step down from the Director job, he doesn’t need a bullet in the head, Coulson’s suggestion for dealing with the problem. Why is he thinking in such extremes?

I sincerely hope MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t remove Coulson from the game. It’s hard to imagine the show without him, the writers already bringing him back from death to star in it. The characters on this show are not static, but there are plenty of directions to take Coulson in without killing him. Whether he is healed or descends into madness, there’s no reason to get rid of him any time soon.

Besides, Coulson will be needed. Whitehall (Reed Diamond) is demanding Raina (Ruth Negga) give him back the mysterious obelisk, and it looks like she’ll have to if she wants to live. In Whitehall’s control, there is no telling what the strange device will do. We’ll need all hands on deck, including Coulson’s.

Is it just my imagination, or is something sparking a little bit between Skye (Chloe Bennet) and Triplett (B.J. Britt)? There’s nothing overt, but an underlying tension seems to be present, and I’ll take this pairing. They are both young, hot, and capable. Why not?

There are plenty of enticing things in “Face My Enemy,” from the “reveal” of Talbot (Adrian Pasdar) to be Hyrda, to the reveal that he’s not actually Hydra, to May fighting a woman disguised as May (both played by Wen), to some lovely dialogue between May and Coulson. For an episode that really doesn’t go far enough into the mythology, it’s still pretty entertaining.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

AGENTS OF SHIELD Still "Making Friends"

Article first published MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 3 Making Friends and Influencing People on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. highlights the different characters populating its second season in the most recent episode, “Making Friends and Influencing People.” Practically every single person in the core cast has undergone a transformation as the story unfolds, and this installment, more than others, show us those changes and how they are affecting the people behind them. It’s a wonderful example of character development, the main reason AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is the best super hero series currently running in a very crowded field.

First, we finally catch up with the real Agent Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), instead of the hallucination that’s been in the past couple of episodes. Shame on ABC for trying to get more viewers by implying Simmons is now working for Hydra in its promos, a ridiculous notion no one should have fallen for. But it’s really cool to see her undercover, and the sequence at the beginning of her getting ready, as well as the one where Coulson (Clark Gregg) checks in on her and cooks her dinner, are excellent.

Henstridge’s role in season one is relatively bland, so changing her into a badass spy is very welcome. She may be (one of) the techie on the team, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a trained S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Whether her abilities come from the academy or experience in the field, Coulson would not have picked her for his original team is she weren’t something very special. “Making Friends and Influencing People” finally shows us that side of her, as even amid her own self-doubt, she stretches to her potential.

Similarly, Skye (Chloe Bennet), who starts the series as a naïve hacker, is now a full-fledged agent, so much so that Hunter (Nick Blood) bets she went to the academy. Skye isn’t hardened completely, as evidenced by her reaction after speaking with Ward (Brett Dalton), but she does follow Coulson’s orders and shoots a semi-innocent man. That is something she never would have done even at the end of last season, and it proves she can be counted on just like any other member of the team, something in doubt not so long ago.

Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) is the most dramatically different, broken by his near-death experience. Like Simmons, he isn’t usually all that tough. But this week’s MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. finds Fitz sneaking in to confront Ward and almost killing him in revenge. It’s a really intense moment, one in which we wonder if Fitz has snapped completely, though he does stop himself short of murder. This illustrates the depth of his pain and betrayal, and certainly further distances Ward from any type of redemption.

It is revealed this week that Hydra has been brainwashing people to work for them, including Agent 33 (Maya Stojan, Castle). For a moment, it looks like an easy way to reset Ward, claiming he didn’t know what he was doing. Thankfully, S.H.I.E.L.D. not only ignores that exit ramp, but has Ward insist very firmly he always knew what he was doing. Whether he’s crazy or loyal to a dead man or lying about not being a follower of Hydra, this is Ward, for better or for worse, and I like it. Kudos to S.H.I.E.L.D. for not doing what most TV shows would have done, especially with such an available opportunity.

Then there’s Coulson himself. He is the boss now, and that means he has to distance himself from the others. He can be chummy with Simmons, who isn’t operating in the group, but he has to be tough on Fitz when the scientist crosses a line, and Coulson has to order Skye to shoot a guy who poses too big a threat to let go. There’s an edge to him we haven’t seen much before this season, and while he steps up in a fitting manner, one wonders how much this will weigh on him, and if Coulson really can make the tough calls. I suspect he can, after much of the fun has been drained from him, unfortunately.

Besides these major showcases, there are lots of terrific moments in the episode. Hunter trying to make peace with May (Ming-Na Wen) and Triplett (B.J. Britt) is humorous and makes him feel like more a part of the team. Bringing back Donnie Gill (Dylan Minnette) is cool (pun intended) because it ties the story back in on itself. Seeing Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. compete for the same resources and personnel is exciting, a real arms race between the two organizations, played out across the globe.

“Making Friends and Influencing People” is a relatively typical episode, nothing groundbreaking occurring to change the game again, that effectively uses the elements that make the show great. In between the ‘big events,’ this is exactly what fans should want to see from it.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

S.H.I.E.L.D. Comes Back From the "Shadows"

Article first published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review Season 2 Episode 1 Shadows on Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is back! Airing last night, the second season premiere, “Shadows,” picks up several months after the shocking events of last spring’s finale. Director Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) has stepped away from the team to run the entire new S.H.I.E.L.D. agency. Everyone, which includes quite a few more people than the original team, now works out of the secret base known as The Playground. And some characters are much-changed.

The episode begins with a glimpse of Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and the Howling Commandos in 1945, a welcome connection to the upcoming miniseries, Agent Carter, that will air when MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. goes on winter hiatus. Peggy and her crew are capturing an artifact from Hydra officer Daniel Whitehall (Reed Diamond, Franklin & Bash, Dollhouse). In the present day, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra (including a still-youthful Whitehall) hunt the same object, which is now controlled by the government and Brigadier General Glenn Talbot (Adrian Pasdar).

The dynamic between the three organizations, S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, and the U.S. military, will definitely be giving the show plenty of legs to run on this season. As it stands now, Hydra is winning, with the larger, globally-expansive network, while S.H.I.E.L.D. is rebuilding desperately. One would think it makes sense for the American government to side with S.H.I.E.L.D., but those in charge of the troops, specifically petty Talbot, have been burned when S.H.I.E.L.D. collapsed, and are justifiably wary about getting in bed with them again, especially after such a public campaign against them. It’s an unstable mix, which can only result in entertaining showdowns.

Poor Coulson is stuck in a terrible situation. Not only is he struggling to recruit enough reliable people to help build the organization Fury has entrusted him with, but now he has to look at the bigger picture, which means weighing his personal feelings for his agents against what has to be done in the war game. This means he has to endanger people he cares about, as well as send them into extremely uncomfortable situations they don’t want to be in. Coulson still isn’t a bad guy, but he’s sure to tick off some of our heroes when putting the world ahead of them, which will spark good, authentic drama.

Skye (Chloe Bennet) is now a full-fledged agent, working under the tutelage of May (Ming-Na Wen). That doesn’t mean she’s ready, though, when Coulson sends her to pump Ward (Brett Dalton), imprisoned in The Playground, for information. She’s still deeply wounded by the turncoat, and can’t stomach to look at him long, even as he tries to promise her secrets on her origin. She’s much better at the physical stuff, surprisingly.

Ward is very different now. His driving purpose seems to be his love for Skye, which she is certainly not returning. His suicide attempts and unkempt appearance indicate he’s given up on rejoining Hydra and may not care about it at all, now that his mentor is dead. I’m not sure where MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is going with him, but I’m very glad he’s been kept around and allowed to be a dynamic character. His psychosis is a delicious thing for the actor to play, and he’s doing a fine job of it so far.

Even more startling than the new Ward is Fitz’s (Iain De Caestecker) mental state. We know he’s injured, but for most of “Shadows,” it just seems like he stutters a bit. It isn’t until the end of the episode that viewers are clued in to the fact that Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) left the base some time ago, and her appearances in the hour are hallucinations. This indicates far deeper problems, with no one quite trusting Fitz to do his job any more, but still keeping him around out of loyalty. How long will it take Fitz to recover, or will he ever? (I’m going to guess he’ll return to form by mid-season.)

“Shadow” brings a lot of new blood into MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and that’s a good thing. The structure of the show has changed, and by necessity, we need more faces to fill it. Lucy Lawless (Battlestar Galactica, Xena: Warrior Princess) is fantastic as Agent Hartley, and I’m very sad she is killed off so quickly. But we still get another appearance of a Koenig (Patton Oswalt), whom I hope sticks around as much as possible. Triplett (B.J. Britt) deserves a promotion to central cast, a full part of the team by this point. There’s also a mercenary named Lance Hunter (Nick Blood, Trollied) and a mechanic named Mac (Henry Simmons, Man Up, NYPD Blue) in the season premiere.

Interestingly, the ABC press site still only lists the six core main characters, while Blood’s name is in the Starring portion of the opening credits. The way all these new people are handled, it’s easy to be unsure about who’s a main character and who isn’t. However, given Joss Whedon’s connection to the project, I recommend not worrying about that, as he has a tendency to heavily use good performers over a long period of time, even if they are not added to the principal cast.

As you may have surmised from the above review, there’s a lot going on in MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. this year, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. Of note, we also got to see a man who can change his substance, a cool jet that can turn invisible, and more glimpses of the doodle lines crazy Coulson draws. With so many balls in the air, fans are sure to be in for a heck of a fall run, jam-packed with action, story, and continued character development in TV’s current best superhero series, and that’s saying something, given the suddenly-crowded field.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

"End" of MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

Article first published as TV Review: 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' - 'Beginning of the End' on Blogcritics.

After a slow start doing mostly case-of-the-week stories, ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has really ramped up through the spring. Necessary, given the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

The season finale, “Beginning of the End,”  is the climax of that arc, a battle between Phil Coulson’s (Clark Gregg) S.H.I.E.L.D. team and John Garrett’s (Bill Paxton) Hydra men. It’s got plenty of action, but also takes the time for some really satisfying character interactions, resolving hanging threads, and revealing yet another character thought dead is still alive. The costs are high, but as expected, the good guys win.

If you watch Marvel fare for the action, “Beginning of the End” has plenty of that. Coulson, Antoine (B.J. Britt), May (Ming-Na Wen), and Skye (Chloe Bennet) storm the compound, guns blazing. Ming gets to take out her frustration with the traitorous Ward (Brett Dalton) in hand-to-hand combat, which the more experienced agent wins. Deathlock (J. August Richards) shows his powers of destruction. Even Skye, traditionally not a fighter, pulls a gun and acts tough. These are special agents tasked with protecting the world and they show it.

But the dynamics are far more interesting. Ward himself, a part of the main team for most of the freshman year, has unresolved feelings for Skye, and both Skye and May take Ward’s turning very personally. The conversations they have, sometimes during the battle, allow the characters to put into words what they’ve been going through. The cast is forever shaken up, and even though the seeds have been planted for a possible Ward redemption (which I honestly hope they don’t pursue), he’s not one of them any more, and this hurts emotionally, viewers and characters alike.

Coulson is experiencing a similar thing with Garrett, his old buddy. Garrett has gone completely crazy, unlike Ward, which makes him easier to hate. However, there is still the lingering ghost between them of their camaraderie. This influences the scenes they have together, even after Coulson terrifically blasts him into ashes in a pure Joss Whedon twist. It’s these relationships, carefully built to show depth in only a few episodes, that makes the proceedings mean so much more.

The best dialogue in “Beginning of the End” is between Coulson and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), whom Coulson and movie-goers know is alive, but not most others in the world do not. Their banter in observing Garrett is great, but the explanation as to why Fury brings Coulson back to life (because he’s an Avenger) is even better. Marvel doesn’t just make superhero stuff, it breathes complexity into those people, and with terrific, memorable one-liners, these moments in which personality is exposed remain firmly ensconced forever in one’s head, which is what all TV strives for.

There’s an emotional sequence with Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) too, who begin the finale at the bottom of the ocean. Fitz sacrifices everything for Simmons. The duo have a wonderful bond, but no romance has been pursued between them. One wonders if that will change now that they’ve been through this, and Fitz has been willing to give himself up. He may be permanently damaged; something that could make for rich drama next year and more growth for him, but because Simmons is present for this, let’s hope some of the change rubs off on her.

Unlike most televison fare, “Beginning of the End” gets every detail right. Most shows hit certain notes, but miss others. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. frequently leaves viewers without complaint. The dynamics and relationships are well served, and the writing is snappy, but the direction deserves credit as well. Who didn’t get excited when Fury shows up at an unexpected moment to pull Fitz Simmons to safety? Or when Coulson finds the big gun? Or when Patton Oswalt returns in a different role (a clone, perhaps?) after being killed off a few weeks ago? There are so many little things that can be picked out and celebrated, which form a cohesive, unimpeachable whole. Quality-wise, it’s one of the strongest entries on network television, even if it is the popcorn genre.

This continues even in the trademark Marvel end tags. Garrett’s resurrection may be deliciously sabotaged, but Raina (Ruth Negga) escapes and most fans will never see coming whom she goes to. Toss in a shot of Coulson that proves he’s crazy like Garrett, maybe just keeping it reigned in a little better, casting the future of the new S.H.I.E.L.D., which he has been put in charge of, in doubt, and there’s plenty to anticipate over the summer, getting us excited for the sophomore presentation.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been renewed for a second season, which will air as two mini-seasons next fall and spring, with Marvel’s Agent Carter in the middle to avoid repeats and off-weeks, on ABC.