Marvel Agents Of Shield

Pilot

S.H.I.E.L.D. puts together a special team, lead by Agent Phil Coulson, to track down a mysterious man with special abilities and the young computer hacker that's encouraging him to reveal himself to the world.

A fairly solid start to the series introducing the main characters and setting the scene that this is operating on the edge of the marvel universe in a low key manner


0-8-4

While extracting a strange object out of Peru, the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are taken hostage aboard their plane.

More is revealed about the characters. Does Coulson always wear that suit? One DOH moment went they use an inflatable raft to block a hole in the side of the plane - inflatables are not exactly renowned for being solid


The Asset

Dr. Franklin Hall has been kidnapped. Coulson and his team are assigned to rescue him.

Ok episode and it was nice to see the rescue of the scientist wasn't even wanted


Eye Spy

The team tries to track down a former agent who is now stealing valuable information.

Lots of spy stuff in this and almost a surreal feel. I think this is when we see hints being dropped about Skye's character


Girl in the Flower Dress

Centipede kidnaps another gifted man. S.H.I.E.L.D. tries to track them down. Also, secrets about Skye are revealed.

Pure James Bond spy stuff with a little mix of superheroics

FZZT

Simmons becomes infected with an alien virus after exposing herself to a group of people that have come into contact with a Chitauri helmet.

Nice to see the 2 minor characters Fitz and Simmons take centre stage and for just one tiny moment I thought the series would be gobsmackingly brave and kill off a character...it was not

The Hub

Ward and Fitz are sent on a classified mission in South Ossetia.

A bit ho-hum to be honest

The Well

Ward becomes exposed to a piece of an Asgardian staff, which causes his worst memory to resurface.

We find out more about Ward - I am wondering if there is a twist in this - We KNOW Ward is agonising over the detah of his brother BUT I think he may possibly be the bully in the flashback...what more gutting than realising yout shit behaviour caused the detah of a sibling

Repairs

The agents investigate the strange occurrences of a woman who, they believe, has telekinetic powers.

One of the best episodes as it plays to its strengths - keeping things low key with a pinch of fantasy. Also I think its the biggest hint that Skye is some sort of psychic/telepath/empath as lots of subtle clues were dropped

The Bridge

S.H.I.E.L.D. receives assistance from Mike Peterson as they take on Centipede once again.

I cannot recall much of this episode - too much superhero stuff from memory

The Magical Place

S.H.I.E.L.D. organizes a full scale hunt for Coulson. Centipede tries to resurface the memories on what happened after Coulson died.

well we find out Coulson has been duped big time by SHIELD about his near death

Seeds

While investigating a problem at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, Coulson and May turn up unexpected information about Skye's parents.

OK episode again with more background info being dripped out

T.R.A.C.K.S.

The team tries to confiscate an important device on a train.

One of the best episodes so far concentrating on spy stuff and told from 3 points of view - It was lame they had a Stan Lee cameo IMHO



T.A.H.I.T.I.

Coulson and the team rush to Bethesda in an attempt to save Skye's life.

Lots of background info in this episode but did not rise above being just OK

Yes Men

While Skye recovers, Lady Sif arrives with need of assistance in capturing an escaped Asgardian prisoner, named Lorelei.

The worst episode of the series - It did so many things I do not like - TOO much superhero stuff and even worse too much Asgard - Too blatant storyline - Men are poor helpless saps while women are strong


Summary at this point

The series quickly found its footing balancing James Bond - ish spy capers with a smidgen of superheroics plus some teen/early 20s romance/drama BUT the last episode revealed how easy its to fall off that narrow tightrope by distorting the delicate balance.

One aspect they need to address is the slipping into the "happy family" syndrome where even the bad characters have justified reasons for their behaviour - In real life some people are just assholes and its NOTHING to do with their background or experiences. It would be nice to see a series follow that angle rather than the cliched "s/he is cold and ruthless because of fill-in-the-blank experience but underneath she is really warm and fun"

Hopefully the most recent episode is a blip and the series will revert back to a low key stuff but I have my doubts as it looks as though the Skye character is being set up to be some kind of superhero possibly an Asgardian/Human/Alien hybrid or something

Overall an enjoyable series worth your time


The End Of The Beginning

Skye is made an official Shield agent and the agents split up to capture the Clairvoyant

After a short hiatus the series returns - Quite dull until the last 15 minutes or so and then it shifted to interesting with lots of spy caper backstabbing