Danny Hale reviews Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4 episode 8 – Laws of Inferno Dynamics…
Yet another strong week for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; “Laws of Inferno Dynamics” opened with S.H.I.E.L.D. surrounding Eli’s location thrusting us right back into the action with little preamble. After witnessing Eli’s staggering abilities last week it became very clear as the episode progressed that his powers have been growing at an alarming rate. “Working his way through the periodic table” Morrow manages to create plutonium and as such brings the team to a halt at the risk of causing a nuclear explosion. The increasingly threatening Eli spurs Coulson to lay his plan of action out to Mace by suggesting sending in Quake, Ghost Rider and Yo-Yo to take down Morrow. This premise coupled with Kevin Tancharoen in the director’s chair resulted in one of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s finest episodes to date.
This week gave us a lot more of our new Director and I thought his scene with May and Coulson was particularly strong. Beyond Mace’s perfect little confession of finding Aida mildly attractive this scene provided a much needed conversation between himself and Coulson. It cleared the air and I think Coulson is starting to understand Mace a little more. It was also a welcome move that Mace was allowed to explain his actions regarding Simmons and his apparent partnership with the Inhuman hating Senator Nadeer. It put all our players on the one side and we were granted an even greater bonus of seeing Mace (can we call him Patriot now?) suit up and get out in the field. I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him action-wise, I felt the build-up didn’t quite have an appropriate pay-off but I also have no doubt that his moment will come.
Even as the episode progressed and Eli’s powers grew it became apparent that very soon it would prove difficult to keep him on the show without major plot-holes appearing, the downside of having such an insanely powered character. Thankfully coming face to face with his nephew shed some light on Eli’s deeper motivations and simultaneously brought Robbie’s arc full circle. Hearing Morrow’s impassioned recollections to Robbie inspired sympathy but this was a man pushed too far and given too much power. So, to see Eli leave the show this week at Robbie’s hand was perfectly fitting and to see Ghost Rider in his seemingly last act summon a portal, transporting himself and the plutonium bomb away was an incredible moment, a powerful exit for a character who has brought so much to this show.
I quite enjoyed Mack and Robbie together this week but looks like we won’t be seeing that again soon! Mack and Elena however got some much needed focus. A lot of their relationship seems to have taken place off screen so it was nice to touch base and to understand Elena’s perspective a bit more. I really hope she gets moved up to a series regular; she adds a great energy to the team. Having Mack just interrupt her and finally kiss her was sweet and fitting because it summed up their entire flirtation perfectly and finally moved it forward. On a side note, I also adored Elena’s “I just got hit by a giant fireball, I lost my favourite jacket and you’re treating me like a nina.”
I mentioned last week how grateful I was that the writers had not rushed Daisy’s reintegration to the team, at least with regards to her personal relationships. This week we saw Daisy take massive steps sparked by Quake dropping back into the public eye, literally. I’m wondering if this is the end of Quake the vigilante or will Senator Nadeer still use this to threaten Daisy’s integrity further down the line. I also much preferred the fact that Daisy “saving the day” was a PR stunt on Mace’s part to win her over to the public and not an actual fact. Mace subsequently used this to put Daisy in a position to either fully accept or reject joining the team. Coulson and Daisy’s subsequent conversation and reconciliation was suitably subtle and touching. I feel this comes at a good time considering our post-credits scene.
The Aida reveal, admittedly was expected at some point down the line but I’m none the less intrigued; it wasn’t hard to see the plot go down this route but now that it’s happening I’m more fascinated as to why. I think the writers will want to differentiate Aida from Ultron and avoid the idea that Aida wants to eradicate mankind in order to protect the earth. From this week I think experiencing pain has now made Aida aware of two states of being. Perhaps this has inspired an element of self-preservation? We also know very little about what Aida read in the Darkhold and have no indication of the effects it has had on her. How this all ties in with taking May captive and replacing her with what I assume is another android is a complete mystery at this point.
With a decoy May now sharing a bottle with Coulson and Mace relocating Dr. Radcliffe to the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, acquiring all of his research in the process ,things are about to be shaken up. I can’t argue against Mace’s logic in acquiring Radcliffe’s research but I still have some reservations about what a government body would do with that kind of power. All in all this week was incredibly effective; it resolved Ghost Rider’s arc whilst propelling Aida’s forward in a new direction. And I’m not the only one holding out for May vs May 2.0, right?
Danny Hale
Originally published December 8, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
