Marvel’s Agent Carter Review 2×02 “A View in the Dark”

Peggy Carter didn’t waste any time in L.A. In no time, she found herself embroiled in emotional entanglements and on the run from a powerful organization determined to end her West Coast stay.

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD IN OUR DETAILED REVIEW

Agent Carter — With Detective Henry (Sean O’Bryan) in pieces and the frozen murder victim stolen, leads are disappearing quickly for Peggy (Hayley Atwell) and Sousa (Enver Gjokaj). With a search warrant for Isodyne in hand, the two plan to find new information at the source, but a convenient reactor leak ends their search before it can begin. Just when things look the most bleak, Dr. Wilkes (Reggie Austin) offers to meet Peggy alone to share information.

RELATED | Marvel’s Agent Carter Review 2×01 “The Lady in the Lake”

Dr. Wilkes fills Peggy in on the frightening Zero Matter project responsible for the missing murder victim’s frozen state. Meanwhile, Calvin Chadwick (Currie Graham) has to break the bad news to his wife, Whitney Frost (Wynn Everett), that the clandestine council behind Isodyne’s research is shutting down the Zero Matter project for good. The race is on to secure the mysterious Zero Matter, but not everyone will escape its cataclysmic effects on this closing hour of the Agent Carter season debut!

Relationships that start under extreme circumstances may not have staying power, but boy the sparks can fly when they happen.

Stress does funny things. Some people crack under pressure, but others thrive. It also intensifies feelings that emerge under extreme duress. Finding out that a mysterious substance that no one really understands is responsible for a murder and then being shot at and chased by goons intent on killing because you know this all qualify as maximum stressors.

Having all three happen in the matter of a few hours can push one over the edge and that’s exactly what happened to Peggy and Dr. Wilkes as they raced against time to steal the Zero Matter and expose Isodyne Energy for covering up a murder. It was clear from the first meeting that Dr. Wilkes and Peggy Carter were attracted to one another, but as they genuinely got to know each other over drinks and a shootout, their feelings seemed far more intense than they might have been after a simple night on the town.

We loved the playful and charismatic interactions between Hayley Atwell and Reggie Austin. They’ve clearly got a chemistry between them and although interracial relationships were largely taboo in the 1940s we can clearly see that both characters were strong-willed, determined adults. Neither one has backed down from society that has worked to keep them oppressed and we can’t help but think that strength is part of what they see in each other. We especially loved Dr. Wilkes’ approach to trusting Peggy. He needed to know her and understand her in order to turn his back on Isodyne. That’s exactly how someone in his position would likely think and we applaud the writing decision to not have him turn tables on a whim or principle alone.

“This morning when I arrived at the office, I was escorted into a conference room stuffed to the seams with corporate lawyers. They very helpfully reminded me of the highly classified nature of the work we do at Isodyne and then threw around words like “treason,” “prison” And “hanging.” It was a lot of fun.” ~ Dr. Wilkes

“The SSR can protect you.” ~ Peggy

“I’m not talking to the SSR. I’m talking to you. And before I risk my career and my life, I’d like to know a little bit more about the woman I’m trusting.” ~ Dr. Wilkes

Wilkes was smart to want to know who he was trusting. As things played out and the two opposed goons and even a bout with racism along the way, it became clear that under the intense circumstances of their “first date” a bond formed quickly. There’s a spark between them and that spark ignited quickly under fire. The apparent loss of Dr. Wilkes hit Peggy hard for that very reason and we can certainly understand why.

Agent Carter isn’t at all afraid to challenge prejudices and it’s fascinating how different characters react to it.

We’ll give the writing team a ton of credit for tackling some touchy subjects head on in the first two hours of Agent Carter. Sexism was rampant in the first season and it was refreshing to see a strong, sensible woman in Peggy confront it when and where the time was right. She was smart and picked her battles wisely. When she didn’t need to kick down doors she didn’t. After all, she knew her value and so did we.

Sexism certainly didn’t go away in a year’s time between seasons, but Peggy clearly has reached a place she’s comfortable and has also earned the respect of a number of men around her. Her peers believe in her. The rest of the world might see her as simply a pretty face, but she’s not at all afraid to use that to her advantage when she needs it. Whitney Frost however doesn’t seem to have the same inner fortitude that Peggy does. Whitney’s bout with blatant sexism by her movie director was a gut shot and perhaps one of many in her life.

Peggy certainly has taken her fair share of emotional blows from sexist remarks and treatment, but where she’s used those bruises to grow tougher and more resilient, we couldn’t help but wonder if Whitney Frost internalized them in a different way. Wynn Everett is a beautiful woman who should never hear any such demands. She’s exquisite just the way she is and her charm was evident in the lighter moments. But the hollowed look after her berating was deafening to the emotional sensitivities. She was hurting and it showed. Finding out about the Zero Matter project cancellation certainly wasn’t a help to her mood. The blow to the project, her undignified treatment and the repeated reminders of her husband’s infidelity all seemed to place her in a fragile state. Yes, she lashed at him and then recanted, but that’s what people in pain often do.

We’re unsure yet if Whitney Frost will be a sympathetic character or not. Good writing and a fantastic performance by Everett has painted Frost as one that’s fragile and on the verge of breaking despite her seemingly steely disposition. That made it no surprise that she’d take extreme action to prevent the disaster of losing the Zero Matter. Oddly enough, that put her face to face with Dr. Wilkes who demonstrated a much more positive and thick-skinned approach to his own prejudice as he fought to save the very same Zero Matter. At gunpoint, she seemingly had the upper hand.

“I am the only person who knows what it’s capable of. Now hand it over.” ~ Frost

“Miss Frost, you’re making a terrible mistake. I can’t in good conscience let you go through with it.” ~ Dr. Wilkes

“So you’re willing to die for this crisis of conscience?” ~ Frost

“I’m starting to think that was your plan for me no matter what. I’m also starting to think that you’re smart enough not to shoot me while I’m holding this.” ~ Dr. Wilkes

He may very well have been right about her unwillingness to shoot him, but that didn’t matter once the canister dropped and the Zero Matter was loose. We have no idea what happened to Dr. Wilkes after the explosion, but the last scene with the dark crack on Whitney’s face was a disturbing physical defect for a person consumed by her looks in her day job. We’ll have to wait and see exactly what’s happened to her, but we have to think based on Everett’s performance, something inside has cracked as well.

Emotions and explosions blew the lid off the final few minutes of the hour.

The emotional quotient for the second hour of Agent Carter certainly hit a peak. Emotions flared from all sides it seemed. Sousa clearly harbors deep feelings for Peggy and despite his blossoming relationship with Violet (Sarah Bolger) those feelings came out loud and clear in his outburst in the office. Peggy was in danger and Sousa didn’t handle it well at all.

Enver Gjokaj has established himself as a wonderful character actor which is not at all a slap. He’s made us believe in Sousa and that’s no doubt exactly what he set out for us to do. Gjokaj has been one of our favorites in every show in which he’s appeared and it was good to see him elevate Sousa to a new level. As an established character, it was time for Sousa to grow and Gjokaj has run with it splendidly. Sousa is in a pickle. His feelings for Peggy are obviously strong, but his new life with Violet shows so much promise. Violet has invested in him and the conflict over two women creates the potential for great drama in him as the season progresses.

Peggy’s accidental discovery of the engagement ring created the ultimate awkward situation and that only added to the emotional spice of the second hour. A murder and conspiracy may be afoot, but feelings don’t just disappear. Hayley Atwell was at her emotional best throughout the episode. Whether it was the awkwardness with Sousa, the sexual tension with Dr. Wilkes or her utter devastation at losing someone she discovered she cared about, Atwell was superb. Peggy’s dazed emotional breakdown was Atwell’s finest moment of the night and from that sorrow Ana, the gem we’ve come to love, showed why we love Verbeek in this role. She put things in perfect perspective.

“Edwin only knew me a few weeks before he had forged papers, gone AWOL, stolen a plane, and helped me escape the Third Reich. Doesn’t take long to realize you’ve met someone special.” ~ Ana

No it doesn’t Ana. That tender moment of understanding between two charismatic women gives us hope that this show will live up to the emotional gravity the first season established. No, there’s no Steve to mourn, but that doesn’t mean that emotions are dead. Peggy is alive and thriving. Her heart is just beginning to reach a place it can open. The only question will be if others survive long enough to share in return and if they have the courage to do so. Who will it be? Did Dr. Wilkes survive? Will Sousa’s feelings for Peggy change his mind about marriage? Will he break Violet’s heart? That remains to be seen, but with rich emotional performances by all, we can’t wait to watch more to find out.

FINAL VERDICT: Trouble either finds Peggy or she finds it. Our favorite agent doesn’t shy away from difficulty, but even she has her limits. Agent Carter ended its brave season debut with an emotional bang.

The first hour of Agent Carter slowed a bit in the middle, but the second hour had a brisk pace in both the action and dialogue that made the time fly by. Emotions ran high as things concluded and a somber close left Peggy reeling. Just about everyone sacrificed something. Sousa is torn between two women. Peggy may have lost Dr. Wilkes and Whitney Frost has given up part of her humanity. The consequences to all those losses will have to wait until next week’s continuing adventure in Los Angeles, but it looks like we have good drama brewing.

Zero Matter is loose. What that means and where that takes this show next is anyone’s guess for those of us outside of the writers’ room. High marks to Writers Eric Pearson and Lindsey Allen for a brave script that paced action with equal parts emotion and character complexity. Unafraid to shy away from racism or sexism, both were directly confronted and Peggy’s strength showed through against each. Whether it was her direct confrontation in the diner over Dr. Wilkes or her contrasting spirit to Frost’s wilting dignity, Peggy was the standard of defiance.

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Director Lawrence Trilling, who helmed the first hour, finished the first night debut by also directing the second hour as well. The continuity was felt in the overall tone and pace. The two hours were separate episodes, but felt very much like two halves of a whole. The second hour paid off moments from the first and Trilling was equally deft at capturing the action and emotion of the script.

Hayley Atwell and Wynn Everett were outstanding, but Lotte Verbeek stole the show in her heartwarming few moments on screen. Sarah Bolger was perfectly cast as Violet. Bubbly and warm, she made for a bright contrast to Peggy that will make Sousa’s decision all the more difficult. Despite her promise, we can’t help but wonder if we can trust Violet. After all, Dottie was very much the same before she turned on everyone. Does Violet have a nefarious agenda? At this point, it would be hard to say yes or no, which is a credit to good writing and a genuine performance by Bolger.

Dr. Wilkes, if he survived, may follow Peggy’s lead and become stronger, but Frost it would seem may take the low road and let the criticism mold her into something less than human. It will be interesting to see how the Zero Matter affects Frost. Will she let the negative effect shape her into something more fearful than before? Wynn Everett played the part of a sponge that absorbed the bluntness chipping away at her humanity and then that bitterness was in turn unleashed by her sharp tongue on her husband. Will the Zero Matter finish the process of bleeding away her soul? If so, who will receive the backlash from that? Time will tell, but her harrowed final look didn’t look promising and we’ll be watching Agent Carter next week to find out what everyone does next!

Questions, Comments, Concerns and My Reaction on Twitter…

• That was the most precious taunting ever from Jarvis.
• Well, the hazmat suits aren’t bullet proof. Bummer.
• I’ve so got to get me a secret door behind a bookshelf in my house.
• Okay. I officially adore Ana. She’s the perfect opposite to our favorite butler.
• I’m very happy for you Daniel. Arrgg.. Awkward.
• Good Lord! Is that a mirror! Howard Stark. A man prepared for any romantic occasion.
• My heavens. #HayleyAtwell in red last episode and now this purple dress. Good gracious.
• Someone’s skipping lunch. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
• I don’t think she’s going to let him forget that “mistress” thing. #KeepsBringingItUp
• We seriously need to know who the genius is behind Peggy’s wardrobe
• Not of this Earth. This is getting a little Strange.
• Pull in there and kill the lights. And how did the good doc know about that little date spot??
• I’ve performed far more strenuous tasks in heels. Um .. the temp just went up outside.
• You gonna punch all of LA? Maybe. I could use a hobby. I couldn’t love Peggy more.
• Oh cool. Stealing this thing is like the bank drive through. lol
• My boyfriend catches bad guys and I’m very proud of him. Sousa. She’s precious. Don’t break her heart.
• It doesn’t take long to know you’ve met someone special. Ana is a gem. Lotte Verbeek is my favorite addition to Agent Carter.
• It’s been two hours and it feels like only 20 minutes. That’s what it’s like to watch Agent Carter.
• The brilliant wardrobe is the work of Giovanna Melton!