Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: 2×02 “Heavy is the Head”

Coulson Lives! Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has emerged from the shadows and Coulson has his swagger back.

Special things happen when nerds unite. Moon landings. The Internet (sorry Al). And Coulson Lives. When our favorite Agent returned, we rejoiced. Because we knew that meant there would be fist pumping moments of swagger from Coulson (Clark Gregg) like the ones we got to see in episode 2×02.

Coulson’s patchwork team found themselves in a pickle as this week’s episode started. Just when we’d gotten done fist-pumping the arrival of Agent Hartley (Lucy Lawless) we had to bid her farewell. In a universe famous for dead people not staying dead, we fear this one may be permanent. In the aftermath, Lance Hunter finds himself in the hands of General Talbot (Adrian Pasdar) putting everything S.H.I.E.L.D. has rebuilt in jeopardy.

With an offer from Talbot for a stack of cash and an honorable funeral for Hartley as trade for betraying Coulson and team, Hunter finds himself with a decision to make. As if that weren’t enough, while our Agents are recovering from the sting of loosing two of their own, they get a lifeline to find Creel (Brian Patrick Wade) and The Obelisk from none other than the lovely woman in the flower dress herself, Raina (Ruth Negga). Coulson takes the offer, but with Hydra, Creel, Talbot and possible traitors in the midst will things unravel completely for the reeling S.H.I.E.L.D.? With so many possible ways it could go, let’s jump in to this week’s review and find out!

Will “Show Me the Money” ever be a philosophy that works inside of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

We’ll be honest and say that we didn’t know quite what to make of Nick Blood joining the cast, especially in the role of a mercenary. All our agents thus far have been dedicated to a cause (either good or evil), but Lance Hunter’s loyalty lies in the almighty dollar. S.H.I.E.L.D., in his words of warning to Skye (Chloe Bennet), isn’t a life, it’s just a job; a means to an end. Likable from the start of the premiere, Blood played the role of the easy-going merc with swagger and a small authority problem very well. Then his world got turned upside down—quite literally—when Creel flipped Hunter’s truck, killing Idaho (Wilmer Calderon) and Hartley.

Seeing the change in Blood from easy going to outrage at his friends’ deaths and remorse for his role in their demise made us appreciate that he brought depth to Hunter and did it quickly. Here was a character that held his own when pushed by Talbot, but could still keep things light, if not slightly on edge. The ultimate question of course was—would he take the money, turn in Coulson and vanish into the night? Not exactly. When we next see Hunter in Coulson’s office he’s obviously upset at how things went down. Coulson reminds him that if Hartley had followed orders and made her way to the quintet, things might have worked out differently. That’s when the remorse sets in and Blood delivered. Hunter only wants Creel and he returned to S.H.I.E.L.D. knowing they’d likely reach Creel first. Even though the loss of a good friend is still stinging, Hunter surprisingly isn’t shy about sharing Talbot’s plans to turn him. Blood and Gregg were enjoyable to watch during this tense conversation. Blood played it well enough that we honestly had no clue which way Hunter might go.

An emotional conversation with Skye packing up Hartley’s belongings still left us on the fence about Hunter’s intent, but showed extension of Blood’s emotional range.

“Life can be a mean drunk that way. It never knows when to stop punching.” ~ Hunter

There’s a story behind that line. One we want to see. So we’re just fine with Hunter sticking around. Will he behave? Likely not. Which will make him a fun character. In the mean time, his loyalties are still not certain and that makes him interesting to watch.

It’s Fall TV Season at ABC, time for Flowers to bloom.

As far as we’re concerned, one of the few things missing from the season premiere was the allure and captivating atmosphere that the woman in the flower dress brings to every scene. Seriously, Raina needs her own show. We’d watch. And we’re betting we’re not alone. Writer Paul Zbyszewski, used her to the fullest. This entire episode was crackling with great dialogue and Zbyszewski didn’t waste a line with Raina.

Ruth Negga owns this character, but she had first-rate material to work with this week. She’s just delightful to watch slide through a scene with a grace, poise and hint of mischievousness. That kind of style just comes from God-given talent in an actress. Heaven help us if Raina ever decides to really put her persuasive powers to use in a truly evil way.

We’ll admit, we were a bit nervous for Raina when she confronted Creel. He looked like a genuine threat and was definitely on edge. We’d already seen him accidentally send a hapless waitress to a crispy end. For Raina’s part, she didn’t look very worried. Maybe just a little, but Raina never seems too off-balance.

In offering Creel a ring made of carbyne, a very rare allotrope of carbon found in stardust that’s three times harder than diamond and stores energy, she tempts him. In essence, she does what Raina does best, manipulate those around her to her will without them even knowing.

“Ever heard of Hydra?” ~ Creel
“Name rings a bell.” ~ Raina

After turning her down and threatening her, Creel snatches the ring. She warns him that if he’s touched The Obelisk, he needs help, but Creel isn’t buying. Raina’s plan, and her tracking device inside the ring, are now in play. The writing room outdid themselves this week.

Calling Coulson via the hacked Hydra signal leads to some fun banter where she offers him the tracking signal to capture Creel and with him, The Obelisk. Making it clear she no longer works for Hydra, she simply wants to make sure The Obelisk doesn’t fall into the hands (or more safely tongs) of someone who doesn’t understand it.

“Hydra has one thing on their minds…world domination, which is so 1945.” ~ Raina.

It’s this kind of nonchalant delivery that is exactly why we love Raina and we just hope that Ruth Negga is signed on for a whole season of flowers and surprises. Zbyszewski and the writing team gave her great lines, but she delivered with a style all her own. The producers and writers have admitted they loved her so much they kept sprinkling her in more and more in season one. She simply moves the plot wherever they use her. From Centipede, to the Clairvoyant and even Hydra, Flowers is in the thick of almost everything that’s gone sideways for S.H.I.E.L.D. and like a sly cat, she always seems to live another day and land on her feet. The brilliance of Negga is that you can never tell if Raina cares or if she doesn’t. In the end it probably doesn’t matter, because she’s toying with you like a mouse in a trap either way.

The Odd Couple may be just what Fitz needs.

Iain De Caestecker must have literally licked his chops when he learned how Fitz would return in season two. It’s every actor’s dream to play the same character, but in a completely different way. Oh to have been a fly on the writers’ room wall as they debated how Fitz would appear, act and function. It was a risky move to take a beloved character and basically strip him bare of his two superpowers, his mind and Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), but so far it’s gotten the attention I’m sure they were hoping it would.

Enduring Fitz’s struggle to express thoughts was truly painful to watch. Fitz fans everywhere are lamenting, but that’s only a testament to how convincing De Caestecker has been. With imaginary Simmons continually consoling him, encouraging him and even finishing his sentences (for no one else to hear), Fitz seems dependent upon her presence to make it through every minute, but it’s De Caestecker that makes us believe it.

When the team returns with the stolen cloaking gear for the Bus, Fitz withdraws further. Just when things are at their worst, the first glimmer of the old Fitz appears. Encouraged by Vapor-Simmons, he swipes the DNA results of Creel thinking he can secretly help only to be caught by Mack. Instead of trouble, for the first time, someone “real” believes in Fitz again.

“I didn’t solve this today.” ~ Fitz

Over and over that phrase repeats from De Caestecker’s strained lips. As Mack tries to help Fitz work through what might take down Creel, the frustration mounts and Fitz looses his temper at his inability to express ideas. Three lab coat stand-ins are shooed away by Mack in a laugh out loud gem. Zbyszewski and the writing team really did outdo themselves.

“Hey beat it! You’re pissing him off!” ~ Mack

Henry Simmons until now had been relegated to background material, but by grabbing the moment and giving Mack heart, we see hope for Fitz. It’s Mack that realizes the confused plea “I didn’t solve this today,” actually meant a solution to defeat Creel already exists which sets up the episode’s final moments.

With the team preparing to take on Creel and regain The Obelisk, Hunter ices the entire team in order to get a revenge kill-shot at Creel. And then everything goes crazy. After the bullet bounces from Creel’s metal skull, panicked crowds flee while Creel runs down Hunter. In the commotion the writing team’s genius peeks through and Raina slips away unseen with The Obelisk. Saved at the last moment by Coulson using Fitz’s design, Hunter is surprised to be welcomed back by Coulson and offered a job despite his betrayal.

The jury is still out on the gamble by the writers to play Fitz this way but it was a good feeling to see his tech save the day once again. Will he ever be himself? And what will happen whenever he sees the real Jemma again? We don’t know, but we want to find out.

FINAL VERDICT: Memorable dialogue, Coulson’s lovable wit and new mysteries make this episode a fun finish to the season opener.

Director Jesse Bochco had the distinct challenge of stepping in to orchestrate an episode that for the most part felt like the second half of the season premiere. To his credit, the episode didn’t miss a beat. He was the perfect choice to bring Raina back into the fold as well, having directed “The Girl in the Flower Dress” where she first appeared in season one.

The writing in the episode truly stole the show. Paul Zbyszewski and the entire writers’ room deserve tremendous props for taking an episode that didn’t have near the number of story and plot moments of the opener and making it sparkle with dialogue fans won’t forget. Coulson had his swagger back as this episode wrapped. His wit we loved from the first moment we met him was in full force as he welcomed Hunter to the team and offered an olive branch to Talbot in the closing moments. We certainly do hope that iceberg at least made it out of earshot before it ran out of gas.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t lift up the special effects team of Gary D’Amico, Mark Kolpack and Sabrina Arnold along with the music from composer Bear McCreary for what they added to both the first episodes. The visual effects were second-to-none for TV. Fury’s toolbox, the cloaking devices, the Obelisk and its effects on those that touched it were all top-notch but the VFX for Creel, especially in his final moments with multiple shifts and changes, was visually stunning. Adding yet another layer of rich atmosphere was McCreary’s music. His talent doesn’t cease to amaze us through all the projects he’s delivered through the years. But the eerie, mysterious chanting for the symbols and the mystery surrounding them gave us chills and we’re betting that’s exactly what he was going for with those moments.

The final two mysteries left us dying to know where things are headed next. Both Coulson’s wall writing and Raina’s delivery of The Obelisk to The Doctor (Kyle MacLachlan) left us itching for next week. What is this mysterious object? Why did it “choose” not to kill Raina? What does The Obelisk have to do with the mysterious Doctor and who is his daughter? How are Coulson’s mystery writings tied to all these things? We’ve no idea! But that’s the best reason for tuning in next week to see more of it unfold!

Questions, Comments, Concerns and My Reaction on Twitter…

• No need to think the worst until it shakes your hand and says hello. I love Trip (B.J.Britt). @iambjbritt #AgentsofSHIELD
• Coulson orders covert. May (Ming-Na Wen) has to look up the word—she doesn’t do covert. Too little ass kicking. #Mayism #AgentsofSHIELD
• Creel can’t be feeling all that super duper after that waitress. There goes his date night. #AgentsofSHIELD
• Trip: A phone number? What is he [Creel] lonely? Skye: I doubt it. The guy is jacked. And he can turn any part of his body into any material. .. TMI but I laughed out loud!!
• Raina!!! It’s not #AgentsofSHIELD without her. Just isn’t.
• Why the break up? Bad dental plan?? The lines this man gets! @clarkgregg #AgentsofSHIELD
• What did Raina mean by “John Garrett saw our fate; what we’d become”? She knew about GH-325 and after mentioning Garrett was carving on the walls too, we really want to know what this bigger picture is all about!
• In that moment where the first real person believed in him, MackFitz shippers emerged and TurboMack was born.
• Hunter: Creel must have hit you in the head. I shot three of your agents. Coulson: Including Agent May. Not a smart move. Hunter: She the type that holds a grudge? Coulson: Savors it, actually. HA!!! LOL!! He has no idea the Mayisms and HateFu coming!!
• We’re lucky we still have our George Forman Grill. The writing in this episode is stellar!
• Why isn’t Coulson trusting Skye? She’s clearly frustrated. That’s going to blow a gasket soon.
• Why didn’t The Obelisk kill Raina? She suggested that she and Skye had something in common back in season one. What is it about them? And what does The Doctor know??
• I’d get him [Creel] some place secure. Maybe more secure than last time. Just sayin. ~ Coulson wit is back!!