Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – “The Writing on the Wall”

The show is back after a week off, and my review it slightly less late than other recent reviews.

Cast and Crew Information

Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson
Ming-Na Wen as Melinda May
Brett Dalton as Grant Ward
Chloe Bennet as Skye
Iain De Caestecker as Leo Fitz
Elizabeth Henstridge as Jemma Simmons
BJ Britt as Agent Triplett
Nick Blood as Lance Hunter
Henry Simmons as Alphonso ‘Mac’ Mackenzie
Simon Kassianides as Sunil Bakshi
Adrianne Palicki as Bobbi Morse
Brian van Holt as Carver
Joel Gretsch as Hank Thompson

Written by Craig Titley
Directed by Vincent Misiano

Premise

A serial killer is targeting those with connections to T.A.H.I.T.I.

High Point

“For Coulson” is the spoiler free high point. The spoilerish high point for me is Attilan! Pretty damn sure we’re going to see Attilan!

Low Point

Trippe almost got to do stuff!

The Review

This is an original story for the series, although it is a culmination of a long running plot thread. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects have been seen on the show before, and on many, many crime scene shows. It was enough about character that it doesn’t feel like a “small” episode. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story was well plotted, with a plausible last piece of the puzzle, putting us in a new direction for the rest of the season which may or may not play directly into a future film. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting is well done from the regulars and guests. Brett Dalton is getting a lot of new material to work with. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production is very well done, particularly with the final model. There are a few instances of excellent structure and editing to maintain some tension. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response is a 5 out of 6 for the majority of the episode, but if the final reveal means what I think it means, you’re going to see me get seriously excited about things that are coming up.

Overall, it’s another strong episode in an excellent second season. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, The Writing on the Wall receives 36 out of 42.

One reply

  1. I’m not terribly familiar with Inhumans or any of that mythos, but all of the Attilan theories and reasoning I’ve been reading are incredibly sound.

    This one was very good, wrapping up parts of its arc quite nicely. I we get more Fitz/Trippe next week, he’s taken a back burner lately and they need to get back to it.

Comments are closed.