A Helping Hand: A Review of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2, Episode 2 “Heavy is the Head”

Episode: 202
Airdate: September 30, 2014
Directed by: Jesse Bochco
Showrunner: Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen
Written by: Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen

Tonight’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. slows down the breakneck pace of last week a little, allowing us to get to know the new guy (Lance Hunter – no, I’m not making that name up), and giving the team a chance to figure out what they’re going to do with the triple-pronged threat of Creel, Talbot, and HYDRA. Unlike the majority of early episodes last year, this one is clearly a direct follow-up from last week, thus showing an intent to have at least some continuity, and perhaps fewer one-off episodes like we’ve seen in the past. This should be to the good, as the clear seven-episode arc that ended last season was clearly the highlight of the first year run. Click through to read my full review of tonight’s episode, “Heavy is the Head.”

<<Spoiler Alert: This review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S02E02 – “Heavy is the Head” – will discuss plot points and events in the episode. Read at your own risk!>>

Hard Copy: A Review of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1, Episode 21 “Ragtag”

Episode: 21 (S01E21)
Airdate: April 22, 2014

This, the penultimate episode of the inaugural season of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. sees the team in full scramble mode, as they’ve finally realized the depth and seriousness of their situation, and they seek a way to bring down their enemies for good. With nearly everyone reunited, the team can work together – but will everyone survive the coming climax? Click through to read more after the break.

<<Spoiler Alert: This review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S01E21 – “Ragtag” – will discuss major plot points and events in the episode, as well as spoilers that apply to events in the recently released movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier; read at your own risk!>>

Sneak Peek: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season Finale – Season 1, Episode 22 “Beginning of the End”

Episode: 22 (S01E22)
Airdate: May 13, 2014

This week marks the end of a somewhat uneven first season for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., an uneven season that has finally started to bring things together in a solid seven episode story-arc that has not only increased the stakes for the entire team, but has also managed to salvage what appeared at first to be a mediocre new offering. In addition, the improvements over the last month and half likely had something to do with ABC’s decision to renew for a second season. Some of you, especially those that gave up after the first show or the first few, may be wondering why Agents is worth your time again. On the surface, the addition of Bill Paxton has given the show clout above and beyond the already excellent acting of Clark Greg and Ming-Na Wen, and this week we’ll be seeing a special guest star from the movie series as well (more after the break). However, the reasons to rejoin the show run much deeper than who it has been casting recently; rather, the show has improved it’s quality on every level, from acting to writing, and (in true Whedon fashion) it has shown that even the oddest and most apparently disconnected episodes from early on actually play an important role in the denouement about to happen. Everything’s connected, and in Whedon We Trust.

<<Spoiler Warning: This Sneak Peek will examine events of the entire "Uprising" arc of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. leading into the season finale airing next week, as well as revealing my thoughts on where the series is heading going into its second season. Click through at your own risk!>>

Raiding the Fridge: A Review of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1, Episode 18 “Providence”

The Uprising story arc continues tonight, and events over the last two weeks have left more questions than answers. We get two new guests with fan recognition – and geek cred – in Adrian Pasdar (from Heroes) and Patton Oswalt (who needs no introduction), which show a willingness on the part of showrunners to continue bringing in new faces to maintain momentum. As far as the continuing narrative of the show is concerned, we return to a team divided and on the run, not only from Hydra but from government and military agencies. Where will Coulson go? What is Ward really doing? And how long will he survive if May ever gets her hands on him? Click through after the break for my episode recap and review.

<<Spoiler Alert: This review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S01E18 – “Providence” – will discuss major plot points and events in the episode, as well as spoilers that apply to events in the recently released movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier; read at your own risk!>>