Inhuman or Inhumane - Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2 review

Wow this show was a hot mess back when it started up last year. Inconsistent, sloppy writing, basically treading water and not suffering from a identity crisis. But then came Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and everything changed. We finally got to see the show as a true tie-in to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with S.H.I.E.L.D falling apart from within, with Hydra at the spearhelm. This not only opened up the rest of phase 2 for the MCU, but set the tone and stage for the entire second season of AoS (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D acronym for here on out - takes too long to write every time). So after struggling for almost an entire season, Coulson and his team might finally have found their place on television. Let's dig in!

Just Hunter being Hunter

With a clear enemy in Hydra, the new rogue organisation of S.H.I.E.L.D now has set goal to accomplish. But with the organisation in ruins, they must rely on outside help in form of a group of mercenaries, where we among others meet Hunter and Mack, who both bring great characters to the show. Hunter especially brings a certain element of  a comic, yet series routine, combined with his british accent makes him a great addition to the show. Also his struggle with his on and off relationship with Bobbi makes for a compeling character arc for both of them.
Mack goes through some changes of character, both in terms of person and use. In the beginning of the season, he quickly became a confidant and a mental support for Fitz, who nearly died when trying to save Simmons at the buttom of the ocean last season. But after his close encounter with the Kree defense-system, and his reveal to be working for another branch of S.H.I.E.L.D. he kinda bounces abit character-wise. But it does work though, he is stuck between his duties to Gonzales and his newfound companionship with Fitz.

What also worked great in this season was the introduction of the Inhumans. Marvel had release their
movie-slate for the next years, with an Inhumans movie being the last on the current schedule, which could make AoS a frontrunner for what's to come in the universe, instead of always playing catch-up. I don't know to what extend they can go, seing as the show does not have nearly the same audience as the MCU movies, and having a show being essential to the understanding of a movie can be dangerous. However I feel the way the show has handled the introduction of the world of Inhumans have worked wonderfully. It has also answered alot of question the audience might have in regards to Skye's mysterious background, and it has set her up to be an integral part of the Inhuman movie. What is also did, was answering the major fan question of why May is known as "The Cavalry". The reveal was however very sad, and gave us a big inside into May's character, that has otherwise been shrouded. In many instances, this season has been very strong on the character development side.

Jiaying, after setting her plan in motion

My one gripe with the Inhumans were however with the character Jiaying. While it is always great to get a glimpse into Skye's backstory, the almost sudden 180 turn of her mother seemed very much forced. And her trying to steal her own daughter's life essence is more than just messed up. She was underutilized and had her character ruined by the time the season finally roled around. While I do understand her concern for her people, with all her supposed wiseness, her being the agressor and starting a war seems very far fetched. We did however get a redemption arc with Skye's father Cal. And while I found his transformation in the finally a bit on the silly side, I truly felt his love for his family, and his longing for bringing them together. Once again and example of good intentions takinen to the nth degree, resulting in a character that doesn't care for anything but what's in his heart.

Then we also have the ongoing story-arc about the ex-agent Ward. He is still the shows greatest mystery. We are never clear about what his motives are and what side he is on. He has betrayed both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra alike. And his sudden and affectious relationship with former agent 33 turned Hydra mineslave Kara also seemed odd. He must have had a reason for helping her get her revenge on Bobbi, but still after the season finale, I am still not any wiser on Ward. And by the end, it seemed like he now takes command of whatever is left of Hydra after the fall of Baron Von Strucker in Avengers: Age of Ultron. I never pictured him as evil, but seing as how the last scene played out, it looks like he will be the main antagonist in season 3. This might give us a chance to finally get under the skin of Ward and get some much needed answers to the questions of his motivations.

While we are on AoS, I would like to include Marvel's use of the downtime between half-seasons with the airing of Agent Carter. This was in my opinion a stroke of genius. Not only does it provide some interesting storylines with Peggy Carter after the events in the first Captain America, but it also gives us an inside look into how S.H.I.E.L.D was founded, and perhaps with a renewal of a season 2, helps us to show just how Hydra managed to infiltrate them. The show was also short but concise in terms of it's arc. And as a Marvel fan, you really can't complain about further expansions of the MCU!

The show has grown into a very fine piece of television, with better tie-ins to the MCU, more characters that are both deep and diverse, and have managed to stick to an overarching storyline through the majority of the season, with the first episode involving the diviner, that let them to the world of the Inhumans. So the questions we are left with are: What is this powered team Coulson had added Skye to, what is Wards plans for our friends at S.H.I.E.L.D., what will become of Simmons after being swallowed up by that Kree artifact - and can May really have herself a vacation like a normal woman? All I know is, I am stoked for what is to come, with both AoS and Agent Carter. And with a spin-off in the works, we are soon gonna get closer to what has been working wonderfully on the CW with Flash and Arrow, but more on that in my next post.

Popcorntroller Out!