Written by: Kevin Berge
Agents of SHIELD aka Phil Coulson and his rag tag bunch of younger, better looking agents. (Image Courtesy of: wired.com)
Quick Take: Agents of SHIELD Season 1 is a slow building season that struggles to find its stride with an early procedural focus that is later abandoned. When the series finds its ground with the help of the changing MCU, the series becomes engaging action focused science fiction with growing performances and solid writing that makes quick humor look easy.
***This is a largely spoiler free review with only a few inferences made to future events. There is also a noted SPOILER warning section for one event in the movie The Avengers. If you have not seen the first season, you should be safe to read the review though you may wish to see the series without any added preconceptions before reading.***
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a massive entity in entertainment today with two movies a year, and a couple television season airing on top of that. It wasn't that long ago though that this wasn't the case. We can take for granted just how new an idea it was at the time to create Agents of SHIELD.
When it was first announced, the hook of Agents of SHIELD was that it was a story of the "ordinary" SHIELD agents in the mix of the ever expanded superhero world lead by everybody's favorite SHIELD agent Phil Coulson (who *SPOILERS for those who somehow have not seen The Avengers but are reading this anyway* is Marvel's first major emotional death, a plot hole explained quickly though still in major contention to the actual universe *SPOILERS over*).
What interested me off the bat about this series though was a different name: Joss Whedon. The ultimate creator of cult classics, Whedon has created almost universally quality programs whenever he was in charge of the entertainment, so it was special to see his name attached to the project.
In its total sum though, this is not truly a Joss Whedon production. In fact, his brother Jed is more clearly at the helm of the show. The show also does not greatly affect the MCU likely because Marvel feared that tying in TV to the movies would be an information overload for viewers.
Instead, this show is entirely reactionary. It lives within the MCU without being of greater significance. This makes the series both entirely independent and dependent on the rest of the universe. Its character grow on their own time, but the grand vision of MCU will always play a role in proceedings.
This complex relationship of sides clearly makes its mark on this series from the outset. This is television that struggles at first to find its grounding. It lacks a true leading actor, and the writing isn't quite sure who its target audience is. Beginning as a procedural, the series slowly morphs into a science fiction episodic thriller.
The morphing of the series brings with it a massive improvement to the series' style and quality week to week. The series' first showing of potential is episode 13 "T.R.A.C.K.S." while it hits full stride with the game changing Captain America: The Winter Soldier tie in episode "Turn, Turn, Turn".
The first ten episodes of this season are entertaining if bland and procedural. The last ten are an exciting thrill ride loaded with daring shifts and turns along the way. It's all a question of what is worth sitting through to get to the payoff.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become a massive entity in entertainment today with two movies a year, and a couple television season airing on top of that. It wasn't that long ago though that this wasn't the case. We can take for granted just how new an idea it was at the time to create Agents of SHIELD.
When it was first announced, the hook of Agents of SHIELD was that it was a story of the "ordinary" SHIELD agents in the mix of the ever expanded superhero world lead by everybody's favorite SHIELD agent Phil Coulson (who *SPOILERS for those who somehow have not seen The Avengers but are reading this anyway* is Marvel's first major emotional death, a plot hole explained quickly though still in major contention to the actual universe *SPOILERS over*).
What interested me off the bat about this series though was a different name: Joss Whedon. The ultimate creator of cult classics, Whedon has created almost universally quality programs whenever he was in charge of the entertainment, so it was special to see his name attached to the project.
In its total sum though, this is not truly a Joss Whedon production. In fact, his brother Jed is more clearly at the helm of the show. The show also does not greatly affect the MCU likely because Marvel feared that tying in TV to the movies would be an information overload for viewers.
Instead, this show is entirely reactionary. It lives within the MCU without being of greater significance. This makes the series both entirely independent and dependent on the rest of the universe. Its character grow on their own time, but the grand vision of MCU will always play a role in proceedings.
This complex relationship of sides clearly makes its mark on this series from the outset. This is television that struggles at first to find its grounding. It lacks a true leading actor, and the writing isn't quite sure who its target audience is. Beginning as a procedural, the series slowly morphs into a science fiction episodic thriller.
The morphing of the series brings with it a massive improvement to the series' style and quality week to week. The series' first showing of potential is episode 13 "T.R.A.C.K.S." while it hits full stride with the game changing Captain America: The Winter Soldier tie in episode "Turn, Turn, Turn".
The first ten episodes of this season are entertaining if bland and procedural. The last ten are an exciting thrill ride loaded with daring shifts and turns along the way. It's all a question of what is worth sitting through to get to the payoff.
Don't you dare say anything bad about Skye around anyone on this cast. She's perfect in every way and VERY SPECIAL for reasons that are not going to be made clear. (Image Courtesy of: bustle.com)
Agents of SHIELD does a solid job setting up its team at the outset, but they take a while to develop them beyond their foundations. The main group consists of leader Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), veteran returning agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), young ace Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), rogue hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet), plus techie duo Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge).
Basically, it's three SHIELD heavies and three SHIELD techies with some backstories to explore. While the characters get true depth as the stories progress, there are very few hooks here. Coulson is Coulson, but the rest of the cast are largely far too perfect at what they do. Melinda May is the only one to quickly stand out (though her story takes forever to develop).
Clark Gregg (The New Adventures of Old Christine) was often a stand out in bit roles throughout the Marvel films, but he takes a while to find his ground as a full starring actor in this series. Coulson has so many one liners that they can distract from the dramatic moments. He does begin to step up with his dramatic chops though as the story deepens.
Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) is easily the series' most accomplished regular cast actress, and she easily fits in with a mix of quick comic timing and steady emotional development for her character where she often does more for May in the quieter moments than the writing does. She also absolutely has the action chops.
Brett Dalton (1:00am Games) plays the straight man in a tongue in cheek action series early on. While he has the charisma and the action chops, he's playing such a bland, seen-it-before character for much of the series that he comes off poorly. The changes to the story late in the season though help him the most.
Chloe Bennett (Nashville) has the kind of natural charisma that is needed for a leading actor, but she comes off immediately as inexperienced, delivering her lines tentatively at first. She also seems uncomfortable with the action. Skye is also a character made out to be far more important and effective than she is though her dynamic with Coulson is the best.
The pairing of Iain De Caestecker (Young James Herriot) and Elizabeth Henstridge (Delicacy) as Fitz and Simmons was a solid casting choice with the two working well off each other as friends so close they almost come off as siblings. They are hurt a bit by writing that rarely separates them as characters.
Bill Paxton (Aliens) is an integral supporting cast member for this season, playing a variety of roles with a campy pride that is infectious. J. August Richards (Angel) plays the most complex recurring character of the early episodes whose allegiances change often which makes it even more impressive how he always remains likable. Ruth Negga (World War Z) as Raina is a mysterious enigma whose presence is the strongest hint of the series' potential.
Basically, it's three SHIELD heavies and three SHIELD techies with some backstories to explore. While the characters get true depth as the stories progress, there are very few hooks here. Coulson is Coulson, but the rest of the cast are largely far too perfect at what they do. Melinda May is the only one to quickly stand out (though her story takes forever to develop).
Clark Gregg (The New Adventures of Old Christine) was often a stand out in bit roles throughout the Marvel films, but he takes a while to find his ground as a full starring actor in this series. Coulson has so many one liners that they can distract from the dramatic moments. He does begin to step up with his dramatic chops though as the story deepens.
Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) is easily the series' most accomplished regular cast actress, and she easily fits in with a mix of quick comic timing and steady emotional development for her character where she often does more for May in the quieter moments than the writing does. She also absolutely has the action chops.
Brett Dalton (1:00am Games) plays the straight man in a tongue in cheek action series early on. While he has the charisma and the action chops, he's playing such a bland, seen-it-before character for much of the series that he comes off poorly. The changes to the story late in the season though help him the most.
Chloe Bennett (Nashville) has the kind of natural charisma that is needed for a leading actor, but she comes off immediately as inexperienced, delivering her lines tentatively at first. She also seems uncomfortable with the action. Skye is also a character made out to be far more important and effective than she is though her dynamic with Coulson is the best.
The pairing of Iain De Caestecker (Young James Herriot) and Elizabeth Henstridge (Delicacy) as Fitz and Simmons was a solid casting choice with the two working well off each other as friends so close they almost come off as siblings. They are hurt a bit by writing that rarely separates them as characters.
Bill Paxton (Aliens) is an integral supporting cast member for this season, playing a variety of roles with a campy pride that is infectious. J. August Richards (Angel) plays the most complex recurring character of the early episodes whose allegiances change often which makes it even more impressive how he always remains likable. Ruth Negga (World War Z) as Raina is a mysterious enigma whose presence is the strongest hint of the series' potential.
Meet token badass agent who is not a people person but is really good at his job. You really won't care much about his name. (Image Courtesy of: mcuexchange.com)
The comic timing of the dialogue is the strongest aspect of the writing consistently though the dramatic flair is not poorly done as much as inconsistent. With so many names on the series as is frequent of larger series, it is always difficult to judge whose hands are in the mix keeping everything consistent.
The best episodes of the season include "T.R.A.C.K.S.", "T.A.H.I.T.I.", "Turn, Turn, Turn", "Nothing Personal", and "Beginning of the End". They all primarily have a dramatic edge with humor as an element of the proceedings rather than a focus. The writing is never overwhelmingly strong, but it pushes along consistently with a good mix of action and tension.
The series is also quite capable of surprising with several experimental choices throughout the season that would certainly be welcome in future seasons as well. "T.R.A.C.K.S." (yes, I mention this one a lot as it's a personal favorite of mine) is the best example with the use of many different timelines which gets occasionally jarring but also lends itself to growing mystery.
The direction of the action is particularly relevant to this series given how focused it is on both gun play and hand to hand combat. Largely, the series succeeds on that front though never impresses on it as a whole. The action largely works as a backdrop for the writing.
This is a series that began on the wrong foot. Past its solid pilot, it spends the opening act floundering which likely would turn off most viewers which is a shame. By the time it finds that footing, the series becomes one of the best on prime time television.
I may not have conveyed this well, but the series has become a personal favorite of mine due to the developing strength of the characters and stories that build on foundations that grow stronger with each passing episode and movie.
The science fiction thrills of the series are widely unseen on television right now which makes this series truly unique. It may carry the Marvel name, but it does not feel much like its fellow films or even the Netflix TV series. It is wholly its own program with all the ups and downs that entail.
The best episodes of the season include "T.R.A.C.K.S.", "T.A.H.I.T.I.", "Turn, Turn, Turn", "Nothing Personal", and "Beginning of the End". They all primarily have a dramatic edge with humor as an element of the proceedings rather than a focus. The writing is never overwhelmingly strong, but it pushes along consistently with a good mix of action and tension.
The series is also quite capable of surprising with several experimental choices throughout the season that would certainly be welcome in future seasons as well. "T.R.A.C.K.S." (yes, I mention this one a lot as it's a personal favorite of mine) is the best example with the use of many different timelines which gets occasionally jarring but also lends itself to growing mystery.
The direction of the action is particularly relevant to this series given how focused it is on both gun play and hand to hand combat. Largely, the series succeeds on that front though never impresses on it as a whole. The action largely works as a backdrop for the writing.
This is a series that began on the wrong foot. Past its solid pilot, it spends the opening act floundering which likely would turn off most viewers which is a shame. By the time it finds that footing, the series becomes one of the best on prime time television.
I may not have conveyed this well, but the series has become a personal favorite of mine due to the developing strength of the characters and stories that build on foundations that grow stronger with each passing episode and movie.
The science fiction thrills of the series are widely unseen on television right now which makes this series truly unique. It may carry the Marvel name, but it does not feel much like its fellow films or even the Netflix TV series. It is wholly its own program with all the ups and downs that entail.