Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season One)

Zach Goodier

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a show follows up on the activities of S.H.I.E.L.D. following the events of The Avengers.  It follows the revived Agent Coulson (more on how he came back later), as he gathers a team of agents to travel the world to protect it from threats both native and alien, as they contend with rival organizations out to steal and develop advanced technology, as well as alien threats that come from off-world to cause trouble on Earth. 

(L to R) Skye, Simmons, Fitz, Coulson (duh), Agent May, and Agent Ward.

Presentation:

The visuals are all top-notch to for a TV show, with quality CGI being used in most places.  Some scenes, like Coulson’s Corvette turning into a hovercraft, don’t quite pull it off like the movies have, but that’s all minor details that don’t occur often enough to kill the show, but they can make you pause and criticize for a bit.  Costumes and such are all solid, and all the tech S.H.I.E.L.D.  uses looks as futuristic, yet realistic, as anything we have come to expect from the films.

Coolest "bus" I've ever seen.

Story:

The story is really well done, despite a rather slow start.  Each character has their own history, which gives them some intrigue as the show moves forward, and nearly everyone has a reason for being on the “Bus” that doesn’t entirely involve loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D..  That makes it more compelling when you see conflict between team members, since you realize that there is a lot going on, even internally, to keep everyone (including the viewer) on their toes.

 Several cameos appear, whether it’s Nick Fury or Lady Sif from Thor, there are quite a few little treats to carry you through, and towards the end of the season, tensions are raised sky-high as loyalties of fellow agents are called into question as the show’s timeline runs parallel to the events of Winter Soldier, introducing us to a whole new world that our characters must adapt to, and not everyone is who they appear to be.

Bill Paxton has a recurring role as a hard-nosed S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

Characters:

As I said before, each character has their own story, which helps shape them and their role in the show.  Agent May is an elite operative who is by the book and one of the toughest women around, but she has a colored past that made her take a desk job before Coulson pulls her back into the field.  Agent Grant Ward is a tough, young agent who is reluctant to join Coulson, but ultimately decides to join.  Fitz and Simmons are two scientists who serve as the biology and tech researchers, helping to understand the strange events and technology the team encounters in the field.  The last member to join is Skye, who is a rogue hacker who has run-ins with the team early on, and eventually decides to join.  However, the team is reluctant to trust her, considering her action against S.H.I.E.L.D.  and other intelligence agencies.

Not every S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is what they appear to be...

Overall:

There’s a quality show here, without a doubt.  If you liked Coulson, and wanted to see more of him, this is definitely the place to do it.  While they slowly delve into the mystery of how Coulson came back from his run-in with Loki, it still hasn’t fully been explained, but that’s because it’s one of the persistent mysteries that the team is struggling to solve as the story progresses.  

The greatest enemy S.H.I.E.L.D. has ever faced lies within.

While some of the CGI isn’t up to par with what the movies have spoiled us with, it’s easy to forgive the show since all of its other areas are fairly top-notch.  The story might struggle to gain traction in the early part of the season, once it finds a solid pace, it gradually builds up in excitement until you find yourself on the very edge of your seat as you move into the end of the season, and you wonder how, or even if, S.H.I.E.L.D. can ever be the same again.

Good:

-Excellent story arc

-Coulson, Coulson, and don’t forget Coulson.  We missed you so.

-Great cast of characters that surprised me throughout.

Bad:

-Somewhat slow to gain traction in the beginning.

-CGI is hit-or-miss.

Scully Rating: 8.0 out of 10