Now that Captain America: The Winter Soldier is out, we can discuss the episode that took place prior the movie and this past Tuesday’s Turn, Turn, Turn episode. To say that the world of the Agents of SHIELD has changed would be an understatement. It was always the belief that the events that affect the cinematic universe will trickle down to the TV series and vice versa. Over the course of its freshmen season, SHIELD has at times tried to live up to that belief, but has fallen short. But between the last two episodes and The Winter Soldier in the middle, we as viewers are thrown right into the chaos and for the first time all season, SHIELD has possibly found it’s true identity. Which is actually ironic, because given the events of Winter Soldier, SHIELD’s identity is anything but true. More on that shortly.
Spoilers ahead…
Marvel delivered on their promise that everything will change. The only drawback I saw with this change taking place now, is that it makes the assumption that its audience has already seen The Winter Soldier. If you haven’t, be prepared for spoilers.
While Cap was dealing with Hydra’s takeover of SHIELD, Agent Coulson was engaged in his own battle aboard the Bus. Prior to Tuesday’s game changing episode, Coulson was having his suspicions that members of his team, May in particular, has turned on him and this is before knowing about Hydra. What gives this episode its teeth, is having seen TWS and knowing what you’re watching is happening at the exact same time and wondering who is and who isn’t part of Hydra. This is what the show desperately needed.
All signs had pointed to May and Victoria Hand as members of Hydra. In the end, May and Hand are one of the good guys and Garrett (Bill Paxton) was Hydra. That was a well played by the showrunners. You felt for Coulson after being betrayed by Garrett.
The biggest surprise of the night was Coulson’s suspicions about his team did come true in the form of Ward. His reveal as a Hydra agent wasn’t as surprising because there were little hints that there was more to him than what we’ve seen so far during this episode. And, you needed someone other than Garrett to be a traitor in order to have a major impact on the show itself. Ward’s turn comes at the hand (no pun) of Victoria Hand’s death when he shoots her in front of Garrett. Hail Hydra!
So where does this leave Coulson and company? On the run and very suspicious of everyone around him. Which still includes May who finally revealed that it was Nick Fury who she was reporting to on how Coulson was functioning after his “death and resurrection” during the events of The Avengers. Also, members of the team were hand picked by her to monitor him as well. Not a good day to be Coulson.
As for the show itself, they’ve hit the reset button and now the show takes on a different feel going forward. If this show survives and gets picked up for a second season, it will help bridge the gap between TWSand Avengers 2. Only time and the powers that be (ABC not Hydra) will tell.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
