Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 4)

[number8]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CsP8NW_XgAAdp02.jpg:large

[number8]

Bringing in Ghost Rider and his penance stare seemingly just to play off of Daisy's guilt and self-loathing is the kind of low-key use of a guest superhero that I really like about a shared comic book universe, so that's a marginally clever decision I enjoyed. Of course, that usually works better when you're doing a quick one-off. This looks like it's building Ghost Rider as a major character, but the whole he's-out-there-killing-minor-thugs-and-robbers set-up feels pretty underwhelming. That's a character introduction you can pretty much substitute GR with any other superpowered being in this universe.

[Milky Joe]

Stoked this show is back. The recent cliffhanger left me with a real strong WTF.

[number8]

The newest ep is the kind of movie tie-in I prefer to see. No need to strain the plots to match. Just take something interesting from the movies and incorporate it seamlessly into the show.

A robot who can replicate Doctor Strange's magic. Horrifying.

[Acapelli]

super in for this new storyline

[Peng]

That was my favorite episode of the season so far. Things moved fast but still flowed really well, and sometimes unexpectedly too (Nadeen, for one). Mallory Jansen has been so good as Aida, and she is especially great this episode in differentiating between two characters. That plotline reminds me a bit of San Junipero.

[number8]

Yeah, the opening was pretty unexpected. The show is consistently good at delivering that kind of swerve.

[Peng]

Potential hyperbole incoming: Wow, that was an all-timer for the show. If not my favorite episode, at the very least in the top three for sure. Its most intriguing storyline, firing on all cylinders on the action, suspense, and heartfelt emotions, with a healthy dollop of thoughtful thematic probing and one hell of a cliffhanger. Love that it revolves around the show's three best actors (Simmons, Fitz, May) and most improving (Skye) too.

[Peng]

And next episode is on April 4th???? I see from wiki now that this is the end of Arc 2 for this season, but dammittttt for having to wait that long. :(

[number8]

Absolutely series best. This show, man. It doesn't consistently delivers, but every few episodes it just fires one that ranks it up there with some of the best the MCU has to offer.

[Milky Joe]

And next episode is on April 4th???? I see from wiki now that this is the end of Arc 2 for this season, but dammittttt for having to wait that long. :(

Dang. Had no idea. Anyway, great way to leave it hanging. I love this show and will watch it until it's gone.

[Peng]

This new arc's first episode (that title change is so good) reminds me of Fringe's alternate universe with all its delightful deviations and intricate details, but with even more propulsive plot momentum right off the gate. Loved the switch-and-bait with Ward.

[number8]

This season is crazy good. I'm so glad they're playing in this universe for an entire arc, instead of the bullshit Flash pulled with Flashpoint.

[Dukefrukem]

I gotta get back into this. I'm currently in the middle of season 2.

[Acapelli]

This season is crazy good. I'm so glad they're playing in this universe for an entire arc, instead of the bullshit Flash pulled with Flashpoint.
haven't watched the flash, but this is reminding me of the fringe parallel universe stuff in the best way

trip :(

edit: lol i didn't even see peng's post

[number8]

Nevertheless, she persisted. lol.

[Peng]

"Maybe she's just racist."

I love that Phil Coulson is still on cheesy one-liners and inspirational speeches even in this alternate world.

So... that machine can 3D-print human bodies, so that means there will be someone crossing over from Framework right? I'm thinking either Tripp or Ward

[number8]

Or both?

[Milky Joe]

Good Ward ultimately saving the day by somehow sacrificing himself to get everyone out of the framework would seem obvious... then the cliffhanger is a 3D printed Ward in the real world asking Daisy if she wants to go grab a coffee or something. I would mark out as they say in wrestling.

[number8]

Well, shit.

[Peng]

That's a whole lot of mess to untangle, which will be thrilling to see. Only two episodes left!

[Peng]

Mallory Jansen's best work yet. Her performance makes me want to check out Galvanant.

[number8]

She's wonderful there.

On a related note, I think Ian de Caestecker consistently gives one of the most riveting performances on television. And he will never get any recognition for it because he's doing it on this show. At least Tatiana Maslany had the benefit of having a flashy role. Caestecker shows similar range but it's all gradual.

[Milky Joe]

She's wonderful there.

On a related note, I think Ian de Caestecker consistently gives one of the most riveting performances on television. And he will never get any recognition for it because he's doing it on this show. At least Tatiana Maslany had the benefit of having a flashy role. Caestecker shows similar range but it's all gradual.

+1

Fitz and Gemma are easily one of TV's greatest screen couples. Such epic romance. When Gemma was eavesdropping on Fitz talking to Aida, then realizing he's still the same old Fitz... fuck, I about lost it.

[Acapelli]

this has been renewed btw

[Peng]

I feel kinda vindicated by them being probably the best thing about the show now, because during that long mediocre stretch in the first season, the first sign of any life/compelling stuff at all was the episode in which they were in danger (some thing about them having to jump from a plane, if I remember correctly). I remember thinking at the time that the show should focus more on them.

[Dukefrukem]

Is this now called Agents of Hydra??

[Peng]

It's the name of an arc. This season is divided into three shorter arcs: Ghost Rider, LMD, and Agents of Hydra.

[number8]

I wish more network shows with 22-24 episode orders employ this format they did. It was like getting three excellent miniseries with no filler episodes. Flash in particular desperately needed something like it this dumb season.

[Milky Joe]

Trying to decide if that was the best season of this show so far. Not sure if anything in there quite tops the Gemma-stranded-on-another-planet arc, but in general it might have been the best yet.

[number8]

It's certainly the most consistently great season.

Terrific finale. I'm thinking Yo-Yo and Mac got resolved a little too easily, but the build up was pulled off perfectly. I'm gonna miss Radcliffe! John Hannah had been a wonderful addition to the cast.

Ghost Rider was even doper than before.

[Thirdmango]

Yeah it's definitely my favorite season overall. Being able to do multiple storylines really helped.

[Peng]

Too rushed a finale trying to wrap up all three arcs at once (I feel like they give Aida a little too limp an ending), but nonetheless still a pretty good capper to a great season. I may like the emotional core (and especially Kyle Maclachlan) of Season 2 a bit more, but overall this one is side-by-side up there with it for me.

[Dukefrukem]

So Sky is Quake now eh?

[Dukefrukem]

Oh shit. Was not expecting GR to be in Episode one.

[Dukefrukem]

Anyone else think YoYo is faster than Quicksilver?

[Dukefrukem]

Was really hoping they weren't going to go the Ultron route when they introduced Ada. There may be a twist coming up, but on episode 9 ATM.

[Dukefrukem]

Took me a while to get back into this - sick as a dog this week so I picked up where I left off. Episode 15- when almost everyone i a LMD now.

and Oh shit! That slow mo quake LMD kill.

[Dukefrukem]

WTF is happening in this first Agents of Hydra episode. So lost.

[Dukefrukem]

OKay finally finishing Agents of Hydra arch. 3 more episodes in Season 4 (finally). This season totally took me out of the groove back in December 2017.

[Peng]

Best season.

[Dukefrukem]

Best season.

I really lost interest during the Agents of Hydra arch. I'm on Season 5 now and back into it.