Welcome to our third episode, and OMG!!!! Did you watch S.H.I.E.L.D? If not stop right now, no matter what you are doing, and get to it. This is a true masterpiece of Sci Fi. I am getting ahead of myself though first what happened, then back to gushing about it.
Pilot: Coulson Lives!!
Popcorn and Primetime: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Pilot
A father rushes in and scales the outside of the building that catches on fire to save a woman trapped inside. He leaps from the building four stories up creating a crater in the pavement before running off. We then cut over to follow one of our new team members Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), he is working on breaking into a penthouse to retrieve a piece of alien technology. During this sequence we get to see some of the higher level gadgets that S.H.I.E.L.D. including a towel that can copy fingerprints and a platter that has x ray technology built in. After successfully retrieving the item during debriefing Grant is introduced to Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg). Meanwhile we are introduced to another cast Skye (Chloe Bennet). She is trying to reach out to Mike Peterson,(J. August Richards) the father from earlier. Skye is the voice of the Rising Tide, an anti-government group that wants to exposed the cover up of the superheros. While doing the latest report for The rising tide, Coulson and Ward interrupt, taking Skye onboard where she helps decode what actually caused the explosion Extremis. It is then turned into a mission to save Mike before he’s anger causes him to literally explode.
Okay so I was gushing for the full hour at how well it felt like this fit right in with Avengers. Now I don’t know how the comic book nerds are going to react, but the movie junkies will find that this would be comparable to a fine wine with dinner. It really complemented the movies. I like the fact that it is set around all the movies, not just Avengers. In one place when Agent Coulson is explaining Extremis, we have a reference to IronMan 3, and that they have found a way to contain its volatility.
The gadgets were very cool. I loved Lola especially when Agent Coulson made her fly in the end.One of my biggest fears though, I hope they don’t over do the gadgets. There is a fine line between Bond style when it comes to techy toys and Go Go Inspector Gadget.
Another breathe of fresh air was Agent Coulson tongue and cheek reactions to everything. He was the humor and smiles in a world that could be really depressing.
One of the hints that i wonder how long it will take to reveal is what happened in Tahiti both Agent Coulson and Agent Ward both referred to it. I am very curious about it, I am thinking it has something to do with the super soldier serum.
Now for our popcorn of the night. This popcorn is a superhero popcorn because it packs a large punch
superhero popcorn
Superhero Popcorn
ingredients:
popcorn kernels
high-heat oil (like sunflower, safflower, etc.)
dried cayenne
fine sea salt
Prepare popcorn on stove top. Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with the sea salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Yum!
I was surprised this was as good as it was. Plenty of humor, action, and amazing Avengers tie-ins. Just enough comic references in it to keep us geeks happy. Had to explain to my wife and sister what “Journey Into Mystery” meant. I’d also like to think that Downey Jr, Chris Evans, or Hemsworth are cool enough to pop on set at least once a season or so for a big storyline cameo. Here’s hoping.
My conspiracy theory is that something in Agents of SHIELD will come into play in Cap 2.
You’re probably right Chris. If not a major cameo then the show will deal with Bucky’s ex-handlers or something inclusive like that.
Great stuff. As a comic geek I would say the show was superb. I’d give that pilot 9 out of 10 stars just to give them room to grow. Well written, well acted, and a great balance of movie and comic tie-ins to hopefully make everyone happy. And Coulson was great, Clark Gregg’s delivery was superb.