Danny Hale reviews the seventeenth episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4…
‘Identity and Change’ was somewhat relentless in its revelations, barrelling our plot forward and culminating in an incredibly tense stand-off between our heroes, villains and those in between. In addition we also saw the return of a few missing faces from ‘What If . . .’ whilst also getting our first look at the resistance.
We finally got to see Mac after his absence last week and got to meet his daughter Hope. Hope seems heartbreakingly smart and brave whilst also emulating her father with her penchant for mechanics. I’m assuming this season will end with our team being rescued and returning to the real world, when this happens Mack will lose Hope all over again and in a sense, so will we. Their initial scene also quickly established that this world’s Mack would much rather keep his head down and obey in order to protect his daughter than play the hero. This is not a despicable attitude but an understandable one for a loving father.
After his revelation last week the Framework version of Coulson is on board to help Daisy and Simmons and provided a surprising amount of humour in a very serious episode. This uninitiated but adorably eager Coulson greatly eased the tension and reminded me why I loved Coulson so much to begin with. He soon recognises Radcliffe’s name leading Simmons and Daisy to learn that the good doctor is also within the Framework. Jemma firmly believes Radcliffe may be their best chance at escape so while Daisy goes to ascertain his location using HYDRA’s systems, Simmons and Coulson head to meet Ward’s contact with the resistance. It is here that we meet the Patriot (finally!) as Jeffery Mace is revealed as the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Daisy’s excursion to the Triskelion doesn’t go exactly as planned as she is halted by May feet from the main door. Once she slips Radcliffe’s co-ordinates to Ward she accompanies May on an extraction mission which turns out to be targeting Mac and Hope. I love that Daisy so easily puts aside her history with Ward, viewing this as a new man and so far, he does appear to be trustworthy. Once arrested and back at the Triskelion Daisy has a sweet scene with Hope before going to speak with Mac in his interrogation room. The moment where Mac recognised Daisy felt so wonderful and for an instant I genuinely thought that Mac was willingly living this fake life just so he could be with Hope again. His betrayal then was all the more surprising, not to mention chilling once we caught sight of May pursuing Daisy with nothing but contempt in her eyes. Revealed as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent from within the Triskelion Daisy makes it remarkably far before she is inevitably outnumbered and apprehended. Our last glimpse of her before the episode’s end was grim and it appears she has undergone severe beatings with worse to come.
In a surprising turn of events when Fitz learns that Madame Hydra has been less than honest about Simmons we discover that he is fully aware of the ‘other world’. Aida has provided him with far more information than I had anticipated and as a result is making it very, very difficult for Fitz to be swayed. What Aida has told him is essentially true if a little twisted; Simmons, Daisy and Coulson are there to destroy the Framework and as such Fitz’s whole world is at risk. It was a very interesting development and one I hadn’t foreseen. As a result Simmons’ desire to reach out to Fitz believing he will recognise her or remember her, just like Coulson remembered Daisy feels more and more unlikely. This only makes the episode’s final scenes all the more devastating.
The ensuing standoff with Radcliffe was one of the finest scenes of this season; the calm, calculating expression on Fitz’s face as he held Agnes at gunpoint, the panic creeping into Radcliffe’s voice as he tried to save his lover’s life and Ward’s rifle aimed squarely at Fitz’s head throughout. Radcliffe’s pleas to Fitz were startlingly honest and heartfelt but Madame Hydra’s claws it seems are far too deep. Simmons’ tearful appeal to spare Fitz stays Ward’s hand but results in Fitz shooting Agnes in the chest killing her instantly. It was a horrible moment, more so to see Fitz do something so cruel and right in front of Simmons. The fallout of these actions could bear a massive weight once (if) our characters make it back to the real world.
‘Identity and Change’ allowed us to see our characters in many different lights and seems to have secured Fitz on the dark side. He and Madame Hydra are a great pair with the latter looking like she came right out of the comics and given how this season opened with Ghost Rider this theatricality is the perfect way to finish this season out. With Mac now on board for the side of good and the resistance now aware of Daisy’s plight I am hoping S.H.I.E.L.D. will attempt to rescue her from HYDRA and maybe even save May along the way. On a side-note, I’m enjoying how hard Simmons is finding it to keep the contempt out of her voice when she’s talking to Ward. Her “Why don’t I give you a minute,” line as he started to open up about his feelings to her was wonderfully delivered and their dynamic over the past two episodes has been great to watch. Who knows what’s in store for the coming weeks. Let’s just keep these episodes coming.
Danny Hale
