Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 'Love in the Time of Hydra' Review: Adama is Piloting S.H.I.E.L.D.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is bringing back a couple dangling threads regarding Hydra and Ward. Certain revelations have also led to the introduction of another fascinating new threat that is set to be revealed in tonight’s episode entitled “Love in the Time of Hydra.”
SPOILERS
Simmons, Fitz, and the space inbetween.
Simmons continues to serve as a massive contrast between Fitz, as the rest of the group rules Skye out of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Her only reason being that Skye is some sort of wildcard, which seems extremely drastic. Phil Coulson is doing a good job serving as her advocate alongside Fitz – but that doesn’t mean Simmons is getting a free pass. The ideological warfare between Fitz and Simmons is still one of the best aspects of the show, it’s just a shame that Simmons reasoning towards her shift in character isn’t fleshed out more.
Is Coulson a S.H.I.E.L.D. monkey now?
Skye and Coulson start to develop their interactions in different ways. Somehow Clark Gregg manages to keep his performance grounded even though the Agent has “sold out.”
Now for the worst part of the episode.
Ward's motivations are complicated and nuanced, although he still isn’t quite paying attention to what’s up with Skye. Redubbing Evil May’s dialogue as the different characters are really awkward. Some of these scenes are pretty awful here.
Bring in Odama.
Hunter is shown the brand new division of S.H.I.E.L.D., which as it turns out is quite spacious, and filled with Edward James Olmos – pilot of a certain other starship in a different show. Olmos plays his S.H.I.E.L.D. role with just the right amount of gravitas. Of course, Hunter and this other group has wildly different opinions on the way that the company should be run. Hunter’s loyalties are extremely interesting, as are everything spouted with this secret room.
New S.H.I.E.L.D., old rules.
The new rulers of S.H.I.E.L.D. are angry. Coulson’s new groove as the mysterious leader has been putting off more than a couple of people. Everything that he has been saying is laced with an incredible amount of secrets, to the degree that his own team isn’t quite trusting him. Olmos’ character is so badass he called Bobbi Morse Barbara – that’s pretty incredible. She’s been keeping so many secrets from everyone, and Bobbi reveals about her myriad of mistruths. Hunter immediately thinks their relationship is over once he hears the truth. The relationship with both of them is so complicated and beautiful. This show has built out a really strong foundation for this characters, who has an incredible journey over the past season from small time criminal to empathetic straight man.
Last notes:
-May doesn’t believe any odd piece of what Mack is saying, and evil S.H.I.E.L.D. is right among their grasp.
-Talbott drills everyone in their air force trying to discover his mole, turns out he’s looking in the wrong room. Ward and Agent 33 take out the horrors of Bakshi together. He’s despicable, just like Whitehall – and this is just the right opportunity for this group.
-Bobbi has an entire infiltration plan ready to go Coulson’s team.
