Review – Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – ‘0-8-4’
By Galen L. Garner

Last night’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was filled with exciting gun battles, flirtatious international romance, adventurous exploration throughout the Incan world, and pretty much was only missing Dr. Henry Jones from being another installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. Maybe I’m the only one that caught all of the comparisons, but there was even a life raft opened up on an airplane!

Despite my wishing for Harrison Ford to pop up at any moment, the second episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was far from disappointing and did feature a guest appearance from one, Mr. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). The entire last two minutes of the episode were filled with Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) being strongly reprimanded for his actions by Fury. It was funny, perfect and classic Sam Jackson. I really hope this isn’t the last time that Jackson makes a cameo on this show because it was absolutely wonderful!

If I haven’t already spoiled the entire episode for you then you would also want to know that this episode follows our team through the jungles of Peru as they track down a piece of Chitauri weapons technology that has been lodged in Incan ruins for a really long time. I promise it really will make you think of Indiana Jones.

With these findings, our newly formed S.H.I.E.L.D team undergoes some defining moments, as they must learn to work as a team for the first time to overcome the adversary. We also meet a previous love interest of Agent Coulson, Camilla Reyes (Leonor Varela) that turns out to be a double crosser with intentions of sending Coulson back to Tahiti for another rehab visit.

I felt that the episode was a big step up from the Pilot, but still lacked in some of the dialogue and character building that I’d like to see. Brett Dalton’s character, Agent Grant Ward still comes across as a major prick and the two English nerds are kind of annoying. There is still a cloud of mystery that floats around Skye (Chloe Bennet) and the whole Rising Tide group that she is affiliated with. These are only nuances that will work themselves out as the series continues along, but they still stuck out to me.

Agent Coulson is the reason that the show has life and ABC’s ability to bring in the big guns like Samuel L. Jackson at any point in the series. The options really are endless and I am really excited about the remainder of the season. The looming question is still – How is Coulson alive? I’m sure that this will be unfolded throughout the next few episodes, but personally the suspense is eating me alive inside.

So, if you haven’t watch this episode, you definitely should check it out on Hulu Plus or check your local listing to see when it comes on again. Until next week, have a magical time wherever you are!

Check out scenes from next week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Appears on Tuesday nights 8/7 CT ABC

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Follow Galen Garner on Twitter:  @bamaredsox