The Show:
After the events of Marvel's The Avengers, Agents of SHIELD picks up with how the superpowerless humans deal with a new world of intergalactic baddies and mad experiments of science. The title organization whips up a globe-trotting team to track down alien artifacts and deal with international threats. The events of these episodes parallel with the Marvel Cinematic Universe offering up references and tie-in elements from Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World just to name a few. Even a few minor movie characters pop in such as Sif (Thor) and Agent Maria Hill (Marvel's The Avengers). It sounded like a solid concept especially with Avengers director Joss Whedon involved, but the mood quickly sets in that this is a NCIS-style show with a Marvel Comics tie-in.
And, for the most part, the Marvel Comics materials is not all that appealing. No major superheroes show up and the villains who are not original creations end up being C and D listers from the comics. There are even a few villains which have plenty of potential as is the case with Graviton, but most are just teased and shelved for later use. For the majority of the show we're focussing on the SHIELD task force team very much in the same vain as the NCIS/CSI programs. You have the muscle (Ward and May), the nerdy techs (Fitz and Simmons), the cocky hacker turned good guy (Skye) and the old-dog herder of the group (Agent Coulson). They all hop in a jet and venture into dangerous/supernatural situations with their tactics, wits and ability to shoot/punch really hard. Think of it as CSI meets The X-Files.
For the first half of this season, it seems pretty standard. The episodes are mostly self-contained with a few arching storylines involving Skye's parents and the real reason why Agent Coulson isn't dead after the events of Marvel's The Avengers. Bits and pieces of the mystery are parcelled out while they work on various cases. Some of them revolve around related events from the movies as with uncovering a Chitauri relic from the battle in New York to some Asgardian technology buried on Earth. Most of these are just slight winks and nods while the actors do their best to make witty banter and struggle to maintain your interest in the show.
But then, around the time Captain America: The Winter Soldier was released into theaters, the show breaks convention and becomes something far more entertaining entirely. Hydra, the evil organization Captain America dukes it out with, starts taking over SHIELD from within and the task force is now on edge not knowing who to trust. In just one episode, there are so many twists revealed about who is betraying who that I was actually incredibly excited for the next episode rather than dreading another slog. Finally, the show has a real villain, a real sense of intrigue, a great thriller aspect and a story worth following. I don't even care that the overarching plots were mostly left unresolved. It was just cool to see that finale where Agent Coulson and Nick Fury team-up to take down the major threat to the organization.
Even though the series never really takes off until the second act, it still has its moments while it was still trying to find its legs. The fight scenes are well staged with some heavy blows and clever moments that make the characters much smarter than you see in these types of shows. The visual effects, especially for a show with super-powered baddies and otherworldly weapons, look exceptionally top notch for television. Sometimes it bites off a little more than it can chew as in one episode where they deal with the ultimate man-made storm at a university, but for the most part the visuals are solidly above the Doctor Who level. And though the overarching mysteries seem like the usual fare for these investigation series, it manages to be genuinely intriguing. When the true reason is revealed for Coulson's revival, it's pretty darn shocking and ends up giving Coulson a whole new edge. Agents of SHIELD takes its sweet time finding out what it wants to be, but once it arrives at that point you'll be grateful you stuck with it.
The Disc:
ABC provides a snazzy DVD release for an already great looking show. The 1.78:1 video transfer is very crisp and bold allowing the viewer to take in some of the better shots involving air-to-air combat and beautiful locations for running and gunning. The 5.1 audio sounds terrific with a superb mixture and a brilliant epic score by composer Bear McCreary.
The Extras:
This five disc set contains a host of special features worth watching. "Journey into SDCC" features the cast attending the San Diego Comic-Con with massively positive reaction from the fans. "Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe" is an hour-long TV special that delves into the inner workings of how the Marvel movies connect with one another. There are five behind the scenes features each focusing on the making of a specific episode. One of my favorite extras ever are VFX breakdowns and there are a handful on this set. Per usual of TV DVD sets, there is also audio commentary tracks, deleted scenes and a gag reel.
Our Say:
For a series based in the Marvel Universe where none of the top heroes show up, Agents of SHIELD manages to find its footing and hold its own as a slick secret service thriller. The cast is enjoyable, the special effects are neat and the plot is packed with enough twists and turns to keep even the most jaded TV viewers interested. If you're all about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is an entertaining companion piece well worth following with the films. Even if you're not as well versed on the current crop of superhero flicks, there is enough original content within that works so well you could easily jump into the show cold. It starts off slow, but pays off so well that it comes highly recommended.
