Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review – “Love in the Time of Hydra” and “One Door Closes”

Sorry I got behind again. To make up for it, I’m reviewing two episodes simultaneously.

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
Nick Blood as Lance Hunter
Adrianne Palicki as Bobbi Morse
Adrian Pasdar as Glenn Talbot
Henry Simmons as Alphonso ‘Mack’ Mackenzie
Maya Stojan as Agent 33
Kirk Acevedo as Agent Calderon
Christine Adams as Agent Weaver
Edward James Olmos as Robert Gonzales
Raquel Gardner as Carla Talbot
Lucy Lawless as Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Hartley
Jamie Harris as Gordon

Written by Brent Fletcher (“Love in the Time of Hydra”) and Lauren LeFranc (“One Door Closes”) and Rafe Judkins (“One Door Closes”)
Directed by Jesse Bochco (“Love in the Time of Hydra”) and David Solomon (“One Door Closes”)

Premise

After learning about multiple organizations operating under the name S.H.I.E.L.D., things come to a head with Bobbi, Mack, Hunter and Skye. Skye gets another offer as well.

High Point

Hunter’s character arc.

Low Point

I was hoping for a season that ended differently than last year. We may get one, but the double agent thing is nothing new to this series.

The Review

This feels original in a few ways. The “agency within the agency” smacks of Winter Soldier, but at least they hung a lantern on that with the flashbacks. I give it 4 out of 6.

The effects were convincingly done. As usual, the seams between physical and CGI content are invisible. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story keeps moving along. The only complaint is the similar structure to the rest of the season; the audience consistently learns about the existence of secrets the week before they are revealed to the characters. A little more variety would be appreciated. I give it 5 out of 6.

The acting is spot on from the bulk of the cast, particularly Pasdar as Talbot. I give it 5 out of 6.

The production from Mutant Enemy is really hard to top. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response is good, keeping me interested as the season finale approaches, a few weeks after Avengers: Age of Ultron hits. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s a strong pair of episodes in a very strong season. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Love in the Time of Hydra and One Door Closes receive 35 out of 42.

2 replies on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review – “Love in the Time of Hydra” and “One Door Closes””

  1. Perhaps predictably, I’m far more interested in what’s happening with Skye and her learning to control her powers than the S.H.I.E.L.D. vs. S.H.I.E.L.D. plot.

  2. I’m curious how all this ties into the MCU…Coulson’s SHIELD seems more sympathetic to people with powers (at least regarding Skye), whereas the “real” SHIELD seems more inclined to want to bag and tag them as being too dangerous, setting the stage for Civil War? There are already divisions in Coulson’s SHIELD as to how to handle them (Fitz vs Simmons).

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