S.H.I.E.L.D. Recap: Every Show Has Its Defining Moment
By Blake Summers
As Joss Whedon's Marvel series progresses, the audience wonders if it can remain fresh with each episode, as they continue to keep the same formula. In this week's episode, "The Asset," Agent Coulson repeatedly makes excuses for his poor field performance, claiming to be "rusty," and one can't help but sense that Whedon himself is speaking through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s main character. Having had his most popular television series in the late 90s and early 00s, Whedon has since been focusing his efforts on the Marvel films. Now that he has returned to television, albeit in the same universe that he established in film, he is showing problematic signs, such as the same tricks not quite working the same way. Much like Coulson's inability to dismantle a gun while his younger agent simply tosses the gun into a laser wall, Whedon may be realizing that his old techniques may need to be updated to keep this series alive.
The episode itself has fine. It kept the theme of defining one's self, which it seems like the show itself has attempted to do the past 3 episodes. I don't like how each episode has featured an item or artifact that appears to be simply taken care of by the end. I would like some of these to show promise of returning to pose bigger threats. We did get that tease in "The Asset," that came in the form of an apparently mutated human, while his object will most likely never be seen again.
"The Asset" ends up serving quite nicely as an intro to the supervillain "Graviton" from the comics. S.H.I.E.L.D. may need to enlist some higher ups to help them take on this one, but that most likely will not be for several more episodes. Also, it's highly unlikely that the show's version of Graviton looks anything like his comic counterpart, but just for kicks:
With the introduction of a supervillain, S.H.I.E.L.D. is beginning to show promise. If these agents continued to battle other normal humans, ignoring the superpowered people existing in this universe, the show would undoubtedly get boring. Acknowledging a villain that could potentially have the power to take down the entire team is a step in the right direction.
I hope S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to grow and get better, but unlike some of Whedon's other material, I'm not sure this show has a chance of being cancelled. With Disney providing the funds, I feel that they have plenty of options to change or salvage the show before deciding to pull the plug. I am counting on Whedon to iron out his kinks, along with Coulson (who I am convinced is an android), in order to help Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reach its full potential.
What do you think of Whedon's latest attempt? Does he have what it takes to guide this show in the right direction? Let us know in the comments!
As Joss Whedon's Marvel series progresses, the audience wonders if it can remain fresh with each episode, as they continue to keep the same formula. In this week's episode, "The Asset," Agent Coulson repeatedly makes excuses for his poor field performance, claiming to be "rusty," and one can't help but sense that Whedon himself is speaking through S.H.I.E.L.D.'s main character. Having had his most popular television series in the late 90s and early 00s, Whedon has since been focusing his efforts on the Marvel films. Now that he has returned to television, albeit in the same universe that he established in film, he is showing problematic signs, such as the same tricks not quite working the same way. Much like Coulson's inability to dismantle a gun while his younger agent simply tosses the gun into a laser wall, Whedon may be realizing that his old techniques may need to be updated to keep this series alive.
-Whedon channeling his inner Coulson
The episode itself has fine. It kept the theme of defining one's self, which it seems like the show itself has attempted to do the past 3 episodes. I don't like how each episode has featured an item or artifact that appears to be simply taken care of by the end. I would like some of these to show promise of returning to pose bigger threats. We did get that tease in "The Asset," that came in the form of an apparently mutated human, while his object will most likely never be seen again.
"The Asset" ends up serving quite nicely as an intro to the supervillain "Graviton" from the comics. S.H.I.E.L.D. may need to enlist some higher ups to help them take on this one, but that most likely will not be for several more episodes. Also, it's highly unlikely that the show's version of Graviton looks anything like his comic counterpart, but just for kicks:
With the introduction of a supervillain, S.H.I.E.L.D. is beginning to show promise. If these agents continued to battle other normal humans, ignoring the superpowered people existing in this universe, the show would undoubtedly get boring. Acknowledging a villain that could potentially have the power to take down the entire team is a step in the right direction.
-ABC's More "Grounded" Take On Graviton
I hope S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to grow and get better, but unlike some of Whedon's other material, I'm not sure this show has a chance of being cancelled. With Disney providing the funds, I feel that they have plenty of options to change or salvage the show before deciding to pull the plug. I am counting on Whedon to iron out his kinks, along with Coulson (who I am convinced is an android), in order to help Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reach its full potential.
What do you think of Whedon's latest attempt? Does he have what it takes to guide this show in the right direction? Let us know in the comments!
I really liked the episode but I think the series could've taken a huge turn for the better if Sky had actually turned against SHIELD here. Make her a villain and you have an arc that can take you through this season at least, if not more. While this show has shown through 3 episodes that it is fine being a procedural, it has shown that it could be more. It has the feeling of a slightly more sophisticated Chuck to me right now, which isnt the worst thing, but it would be cool for a network show to take that leap.
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