Marvel Studios 2015
Summary: It’s 1946, WWII is over and Agent Peggy Carter finds herself working for the SSR. Begrudging the position of a pencil pusher, stranded in an era where the male presence runs basically everything, Carter secretly attempts to continue doing what she does best: being a secret agent. But everything comes at a cost, when Howard Stark appears to be selling his most dangerous inventions to the black market, Peggy is hired on to clear his name at all costs – even if it brands her a traitor. In the ensuing battle a new enemy arises, and those dear to Peggy continue to get hurt. How much of it can she take before she breaks?
“The Blitzkrieg Button”
Directed by Stephen Cragg; Written by Brant Englestein
Review: As I sit down to type this review, episodes five and six of this series have already aired. Effectively putting me three episodes behind. But do I waver? No! I’m just like Peggy Carter – to a far lesser extent – in that just because it would be a sin to err in writing this review now, I must soldier on… and I must get caught up. I apologize for not keeping a routine week-to-week basis when it comes to writing these Agent Carter reviews, but life often gets in the way – and when it’s me that notion is indefinitely true – so here I am, making up for it the best way I know how. By sitting my butt down, and finally writing these reviews. So, at long last, here we go!
This week’s episode wasn’t as jammed packed with action as earlier episodes have been, much like episode three. But that’s really okay, I like the character building first, saving the ramped up action for later. And we get plenty of character in this episode as several plot threads are advanced – even to the point of me wondering how they’ll neatly wrap everything up by the end of the season. #theywont
Howard Stark returns in this episode and plays a far larger role than normal, and the effects of his actions take a much more personal toll on our hero than physical. I like that, and I’m also glad we got to see him for all his flaws right down to a vile of red, white, all-american blood. We didn’t get a lot of Jarvis this week, and that’s alright too. He’s being built up nicely as the not-always-comedic effect character, and guess what, so are the SSR agents! They’re doing stuff and I like it!
I think because of its incredibly toned down nature this week I didn’t feel incredibly invested in the episode as a whole, it felt really slow and almost drug out in the last little bit. Until I’d say the final few moments which really got me excited for what’s to come next. If I had to give this week a fault it’s that it was slow and not as fun as the previous episodes, and if that’s really all that was wrong, then four episodes later and I can still recommend this show.
Peggy goes through the biggest emotional ringer of her story so far here, and it’s a lovely halfway point for the character. Now I could very much believe her being broken and wanting to call it in for good and just retire. Not that she’s shown signs of wanting to, but at the halfway point of the show this was a good way to maybe introduce those thoughts.
I think the writing was overall pretty good this episode, and the directing was alright. Both just weren’t up to par enough, like I originally stated, to keep me excited throughout the whole of the episode but I will still give them both a passing grade. Agent Carter is showing that it worth its salt, and anyone willing to say otherwise is wrong.
Oh yes, and Stan Lee makes his cameo this episode. I always enjoy Stan the Man cameos.
Next episode looks to be like a helluva lot of fun, and I cannot wait for it.
Final Score: 3 Super Secret Agents out of 5
Derrick is a born and raised otaku with a love for comics, anime, manga and movies. The full list is pretty long, but that’s just the basics. Stories set in space are his bread and butter.
You can find more of his writing at IndieComix.net
@KazekunForever