Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review – “Aftershocks”

The series is back from hiatus, and with a new episode every week until the season is over. The Bureau’s coverage can be either late reviews, such as this one, or prompt discussion columns. If you have a preference, please indicate that in the comments below.

Cast and Crew Information

Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson
Ming-Na Wen as Melinda May
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
Adrianne Palicki as Bobbi Morse
Kyle MacLachlan as The Doctor / Calvin Zabo
Henry Simmons as Alphonso ‘Mac’ Mackenzie
Ruth Negga as Raina
Simon Kassianides as Sunil Bakshi
Adrian Pasdar as Glenn Talbot
Jamie Harris as Gordon

Written by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon
Directed by Bill Gierhart

Premise

Skye and Raina survived Terragenisis, but they are now very different people. Calvin Zabo is the happiest he’s been in a while, and Tripp’s death is mourned.

High Point

Zabo’s reaction to the news was great.

Low Point

It would have been really nice for them to show us how Tripp fit into the group in advance rather than simply telling us now.

The Review

This seems to be driving the show in an original direction with some dramatic changes to Hydra. I give it 5 out of 6.

The effects are effective, if somewhat minimal. We have CGI additions to a darkened vehicle and some shaking, make up and squibs for most of it, and a bit of teleportation to round things out. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story, as with most of the season, is a great piece of serial entertainment which should not be viewed in isolation. I do like the doors that are both opened and closed. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting from the regulars is very enjoyable. The guests at the start are somewhat weak at times, but those are small roles. I give it 4 out of 6.

The production is very well done. The editing and script structure are excellent this week. The only complaint is that the commercial cliffhangers that would work well in broadcast do not work well with commercials removed for iTunes (as I watch) or for the inevitable Blu-Ray and DVD releases. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is strong. It’s a piece of a puzzle leading to a big payoff in the future, so it’s not as potent now as it will be, but sometimes that’s needed for a huge finale. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s another strong episode in a strong series. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Aftershocks receives 34 out of 42.

9 replies on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review – “Aftershocks””

  1. I prefer reviews to discussion columns. Discussions columns often don’t have any discussion.

    This was good enough. Not a door buster of a first episode, but things are still going strong.

  2. I knew the bit with the prisoner handoff was a setup from the start, but I laughed quite a bit at the You’ll never take us alive! line from Coulson.

    I’m curious what Bobbi is up to, but undoubtedly it’s something good but being played as if it’s something bad.

    And something tells me Fitz and Simmons are shaping up to be on opposite sides of Civil War.

    • Yeah, the split developing due to Simmons’ paranoia – okay, not really, but it might as well be – was actually the one part of this episode that was seriously disappointing.

  3. Definately prefer Reviews over Discussion.

    I believe this is supposed to lead into Avengers. The cleanup of Hydra was a fraction convenient but original. Is it enough to bring S.H.I.E.L.D. out of the cold and into normality? Is this where they want S.H.I.E.L.D. to go?

    S.H.I.E.L.D. being a bit bigger than this one team is something that needs to happen soon. I would love to see Agent Hill involved with the team with Coulson being able to play more of the Director.

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