Danny Hale reviews the sixteenth episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.season 2…
Wow. So once more Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. propels itself forwards. It’s great to know that there are still six episodes yet to air of season 2 and I’ve no idea where our characters are going to be when the dust settles. Unlike last season the show seems to be moving at breakneck speed with very little preamble or filler in the middle.
Last week’s conclusion left me itching to see more of Skye. From the moment Gordon offered to take her away it was very clear that Skye would call on him by the end of the season and I feared it was something that would be dragged out. I was pleasantly surprised about how quick she called on him but also how well the writers sold it.
In that moment it made perfect sense for Skye to run and as a result I found myself afraid to blink as this week we got introduced to the ‘Afterlife’ and some of its inhabitants. First we have Luke Mitchell’s Lincoln. I’m assuming Lincoln is going to be some sort of love interest for Skye; he’s very pretty, charming and seems to be a genuine friend to her in this new place. Of course that could all be an act but I’m inclined to assume he genuinely cares for her. Not that I think the show needs some romance right now but with Bobbi and Hunter likely over for the time being, it’s a possibility. We also got to see more of Gordon who it seems is not as all-powerful as Skye had assumed; as we learned in this episode, he answers to someone too. This might not have come as a shock to us viewers but it was still great to see the realisation hit Skye.
‘Afterlife’ also brought back a few old faces, assembling all the pieces for the build up to the finale. First of all we got to see a little more of Kyle MacLachlan’s Calvin Zabo who nailed a particularly effective scene with the mysterious Gordon, Skye’s mother Jiaying also appeared which was surprising considering she was previously seen mutilated by Whitehall but she has some questionable scars on her body so I’m sure we’ll learn more soon. I’m just happy Dichen Lachman is back! More importantly though it seems that Cal knew Jiaying was alive which begs the question did he know all along or is this just recent information? Finally in a moment of genuine surprise for me Deathlok returned! It was great to see J. August Richard’s make his season 2 debut; it almost brought the series full circle. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. practically feels like a different show now and I almost found it hard to believe Deathlok was once part of it so it was great to see him on-screen with the likes of Hunter and truly kicking ass.
‘Afterlife’ moved everyone’s story on a few paces; there were some interesting exchanges between Gonzalez and May, concluding in him offering Agent May a spot on the board. Melinda May is a character that has earned the trust of the fans and I find myself constantly waiting to see what her next move will be. I’m not worried about what decision she makes with Gonzalez I’m just excited to see what she has planned. Finally, one of my favourite moments of the episode was the very closing scene when we see Fitz fresh from a fight with Simmons on route to the airport, Fury’s toolbox in hand. Simmons’ arc this season was dangerously pushing her towards frustrating and as she was one of my favourite characters in season one, it was sad to see. That’s not a criticism; in fact writer’s twisting characters and showing their different sides is what will keep this show going strong but it was a really sweet moment to see Jemma was working with Fitz all along and ironically him packing and leaving is the closest this pair has been since the season started.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. keeps the action and plot rolling forward while never forgetting the little nuances that make the characters so interesting. With Ward’s name thrown in the mix, Skye being reunited with her mother and Fury’s toolbox now in friendly hands season 2 is headed for a very promising finish.
Danny Hale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&list=PL18yMRIfoszFLSgML6ddazw180SXMvMz5&v=pnc360pUDRI
Originally published April 9, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
