Gamersledge Reviews – Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ep. 203 “Making Friends and Influencing People”

Jemma in her new lab

Hello True Believers! Hopefully Stan doesn’t mind me borrowing that. 😉 Welcome to another Gamersledge Review for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (AoS). If you have looked at our reviews for the first two episodes then you know this is a favorite of the site. I PERSONALLY loved the show from the get go. Were there some flaws early on, sure. Were all the pieces there, I?sure thought so. It was an ambitious and thrilling project, and on the back half of the season it really took off. This season it has run out of the chute at full tilt, and this episode is no exception. This episode starts out with the revelation of what Agent Jemma Simmons has been up to and reintroduce season one’s Donny Gill or Blizzard. We see the new team continuing to figure each other out, and Hydra’s continued ambition. So let’s get the spoiler free section so we can get to the juicy stuff.

Donnie is back

The story continues to be engaging and entertaining. The show has really captured how to make a serial and cohesive story, but Whedon fans already know that. Everything that happens feels natural and makes sense. Character’s act in ways that you can believe they would. This series isn’t gritty realism, but is all about characters that act and interact in a way that feels believable. Mixing this with a story progression that doesn’t feel forced or off key. Story, character development and dialog are all hallmarks of this show, and this episode encapsulated all those qualities.

The team, but there is murder in May’s eyes

The visuals and cinematography are top notch on this series. Even in the early days of the series, that was one thing that couldn’t be denied. The framing of the shots, sound engineering and visual quality are all masterfully done. The effects for Donny were crisp. The cage holding a character had a very nicely done subtle effect. In the audio it was clear when the team was or wasn’t using icers. There were also some nice surround effects throughout the episode.

Mac n’ Fitz

It is actually pretty impressive how easily the new characters have merged into the show. Mac is a standout for blending in seamlessly with the existing team members, but Hunter is nearly as good. The villains fit the bill representing Hydra just as one would expect. The pacing and editing are great. You never feel like there was some sort of transition that doesn’t make sense.

I get that this, like any show, is not for everyone, however if you even have an INKLING that this is a show you should like, but were put off by the beginning of season 1, you really need to give it a second try. I’d like to say you can jump in in ep X and just go from there, but this is really a world that was grown organically through the entire series to get to where it is now. If you enjoy the Marvel Studio movies or have enjoyed past Whedon projects, you really should give this show a chance. I give this episode 10 out of 10 gifted. It’s not a score I give lightly, but I simply could not find anything to knock it on. Onward to SPOILERS!!!!! Don’t Click the button unless you have seen the episode or don’t care! Analysis, rants, praise and guesses run rampant within!

[spoiler]

The bad guys

* Damn Ian is KILLING it with Fitz. If it wasn’t enough to act with stroke like symptoms, the scene with Ward literally had me leaning forward on the edge of my seat. That was amazing.

* I rewatched the scene where Donny gets shot several times, and I THINK he was hit in the shoulder, and then was encased in ice…I doubt this is the last we see of him.

* Recovering Ward is really creepy to me. The presentation of the lines is just too smooth or something. I mean the effect is perfect, but….

Brainwashing Robot Chicken Style

* The way that Simmon’s story was handled was perfect. They didn’t drag it out telling us what was going on, and yet left the option open to have her actually turning later.

* I am not familiar with Agent 33, but it was good to see the programming process. It will be interesting to see how she plays into things later.

* Hydra clearly has the advantage all the way here, so how will the tem turn the tables….honestly I don’t know…
[/spoiler]