Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: 3×06 “Among Us Hide…”

Everybody saw that coming right? No? We didn’t either. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. just stunned everyone. Fascinating twists just blew the lid off of nearly every story in this show.

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD IN OUR DETAILED REVIEW

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — After barely surviving the attack by Von Strucker (Spencer Treat Clark), Andew (Blair Underwood) is safe, but no one trusts Hunter (Nick Blood), especially May (Ming-Na Wen) who is now out for Ward’s (Brett Dalton) blood. To bleed him, she’ll need help and after ambushing Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki), May insists her rehabbing counterpart is ready for the field. Despite hesitation, Bobbi can’t pass up a chance to bring pain to Ward after what he did to her. Meanwhile Coulson (Clark Gregg) insists upon seeing the ATCU facility and tags along with Rosalind Price (Constance Zimmer) through a personal crisis in order to ultimately get the tour he’s asked for all along. What he finds is not what he expected.

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Elsewhere, Daisy (Chloe Bennet), Mack (Henry Simmons) and Hunter follow a hunch that Banks (Andrew Howard) is the secret identity behind the monstrous Inhuman Lash (Matthew Willig). To prove their theory, they take enormous risks that could jeopardize Coulson as he gets to see first hand how Price is trying to help new Inhumans by keeping them in a suspended state until a cure can be found. Unknown to everyone, Ward is confronted by Gideon Malick (Powers Boothe), a former high ranking Hydra member, who provides the whereabouts of the failed Von Strucker. Bobbi and May are also hot on Von Strucker’s tail, but perhaps too little, too late when they interrupt his torture at the hands of Kebo (Daz Crawford). The ensuing brawl becomes a fight for their lives and May learns that the mysteries about those they know go deeper than they ever imagined this week on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

Back in the saddle again.

It’s really the small things that set apart great series from average ones and Adrianne Palicki is so expressive and such a natural talent that she gives us lots of these small moments to love. We didn’t quite know what to expect from May when she went directly after Bobbi, but after flipping an apologetic Bobbi around and slamming her into the brick wall, we got one of our best small moments of the night. As Bobbi’s expression flashed from concern through worry and then to anger, Palicki sold the moment perfectly with just her expressions and shocked single line.

“If I knew Andrew was in danger, I never-[May flips her against the brick wall]-Ohh! Okay. You’re upset.” ~ Bobbi

Both women were charged at that point and we couldn’t help but be giddy knowing the two people on this show the most adept at hand-to-hand combat were about to throw down. We don’t know about anyone else, but we’d pay handsomely to see that for a full hour. That’s not a backhanded compliment or a snide, shallow chick fight remark. This was two of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s finest going toe-to-toe. As the fight came to a quick end and Bobbi realized it was all a test, we had to admire Writer Drew Z. Greenberg for sucking us right in to that one. With May in such an emotional state, we were certain this was going in a completely different direction. Well played Greenberg.

May is likely the one person within S.H.I.E.L.D. that could challenge Bobbi in such a way and May wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. As the two scoured the globe in search of Ward, via Von Strucker, and walked away from a dicey bank vault situation, Palicki showed us once again just how talented she is as her subtle, emotional expressions were simply perfect when confronted by May. The two women cut right to the heart of Bobbi’s anguish and pain. Ward had left her far more damaged than just her body. Ward had taken the fight right out of Bobbi. May took it upon herself to motivate Bobbi to overcome it and not let Ward continue to win.

“After Baharain, I said I hated my cubicle. Didn’t mean it. Coulson says ‘stay home’ and you just agree? Why are you keeping yourself locked up? You know, I saw you train at the academy once. Scouting you.” ~ May

“I didn’t know that.” ~ Bobbi

“Strongest recruit I ever saw. Any test would have said you were 100% then. But you’re better today. Because now you have experience.” ~ May

“What Ward did-you think that was just experience?” ~ Bobbi

“That can make you stronger. Let it. Because next time talking our way out may not be an option.” ~ May

We’ve been waiting for Bobbi to reach a point where she’s had enough. May was right. Bobbi had become gun shy. We can’t say we blame her, but no one else could have nudged Bobbi back into a better frame of mind than May. As we watched Bobbi’s emotions go from incensed, to humbled and then tearfully reminded of her torture, Palicki completely on point. Her eyes and face tell such a story with every moment she’s on screen. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is so fortunate to have her in this world and it’s hard to think of Bobbi Morse now as anyone else. The role belongs to Palicki and we’ll be rooting for her to show up anywhere the larger MCU decides to use her. Bobbi is a superhero waiting to happen and it just took May and a near drowning by Kebo (Daz Crawford) later to find herself again.

“What makes you think you can beat me?” ~ Zebo

“Experience.” ~ Bobbi

That’s the Bobbi Morse we know and love and now that May is back as well, we can’t wait for these two to take the fight directly to Grant Ward.

Careful Rosalind, your humanity is showing.

Everyone seems to have strong opinions about Rosalind Price one way or the other. Many fall directly into the Daisy camp and just can’t stand the woman and others love her spice and humor. But honestly, the chemistry between Coulson and Price is undeniable and strong fan opinions simply mean Constance Zimmer is doing an outstanding job. She and Clark Gregg have added a dynamic of flirting adversaries to this show that’s been a treasure to watch unfold. We don’t know if we can trust her, but Price and Coulson simply crackle on screen together.

As the truth unfolded and it became clear that Price sees her role at the head of the ATCU as a humanitarian one, we couldn’t help but get caught up in the same emotions Coulson did. Price would appear to be much more human than we first thought and that’s a credit to Zimmer’s portrayal. The reveal of her past and the death of her husband hit home with Coulson. He’s a man that can understand loss and sacrifice. His beautiful cellist may not have died of cancer, but for reasons beyond his control, she’s just as far removed from his life. We’re savvy television watchers so we know Price could be putting on an act, but something feels genuine about Rosalind. We think she truly believes in what she’s doing and feels it’s a worthy thing to help Inhumans who don’t want their gift.

“I gotta be honest, I didn’t expect-” ~ Coulson

“What? That I’m human?” ~ Price

“Not all of us are. Not fully.” ~ Coulson

“I am. And I think you are too. But if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll find your base and blow it up. [Smiles] I find it hard to keep my humanity in all this.” ~ Price

“Usually have to cut yourself off from it.” ~ Coulson

“I’m trying not to.” ~ Price

And there lies brilliant writing and the payoff. Coulson, who had earlier insisted to Daisy he’d done this job long enough to not let those kinds of emotions play a factor was now doing just the opposite. Price was inspiring him feel to again and that can be both good and bad. Attachments are exactly why, Bobbi, Hunter and even May are in such emotional turmoil. But those relationships are also exactly why they feel they have things worth fighting for in the long run. The ATCU, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Inhumans all have one thing in common. They are all people and that means all of them have some level of heart and a need for things to live for in their lives.

But the real compliment to Writer Drew Greenberg is the way things finally came together. As the conversation between Coulson and Price reached a humanizing neutral place, the lack of audio for Daisy, Mack and Hunter watching the two organization heads talk amidst the apparent imprisonment of Inhumans pushed the trio in the van in almost the complete opposite direction. That’s just genius. Incensed by Coulson’s perceived cooperation, Daisy is going to be more than the pissed she was earlier. She and Coulson are likely to have a heated conversation in the near future about the Director’s affinity for Price. It’s been brewing, but we think the pot is just about to boil over.

Whether she’s putting on a ruse or not, Price is partially right (no pun intended). The Inhuman issue isn’t one size fits all. Not everyone will want or will accept their new life. Some will see it exactly as Price has described it—as an illness. A disease in need of a cure. But Price is missing part of the big picture too. Coulson sees that some will embrace their new abilities and do good things with them. And others will undoubtedly use them to bend the will of society in unfavorable ways. After all, good, bad and evil existed long before Inhumans began emerging from every drug store with fish oil. Ultimately S.H.I.E.L.D. and the ATCU will have to decide how they handle each of these cases and unless we’re completely wrong about both of them, Price and Coulson would seem to be the two most likely to show reasonably good judgment while doing it.

A sabertooth in the wolf den.

Jumping back into the field may have felt like the right thing to do when May started, but once the bleeding Von Strucker was in her arms, she got far more than she was prepared to hear. It’s one thing to feel like you don’t know someone anymore because a relationship has soured. It’s another to find out that person isn’t just a figurative monster, but a real one with malevolent intent.

“I tried to do what Ward wanted. I tried to kill him.” ~ Von Strucker

“Him? You mean Dr. Gardner?” ~ May

“We had him. But I didn’t know he’d change into that-thing.” ~ Von Strucker

Lash is a beast. He may feel he’s doing what is necessary but neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor the ATCU would agree. The Inhuman problem isn’t a one-fix-fits-all crisis, but killing them off seems a bit harsh and we’re dying to know why Andrew thinks that’s the solution. Daisy is definitely on to something. Why was she spared? What makes her special? And why are others, particularly Lincoln, marked for execution? Perhaps the biggest question would be—how did Andrew become Lash? Has he always been an Inhuman or is he a recent victim of the ocean catastrophe as well? The questions are enough to make one’s head spin, but that’s just the way this show likes it and we have complete faith that the writing team will pay off all those questions before all is said and done.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t give Visual Effects Supervisor Mark Kolpack and FuseFX huge praise for their groundbreaking transformation sequence of Andrew into Lash during Von Strucker’s telling of the real story to May. Transformations from one character to another are seen occasionally on television, but this was definitely one of the best, most seamless and cleanest we’ve ever witnessed. That’s incredible work by one of the best Visual Effects teams in the business. We’ve come to expect miracles from them and that’s a compliment. Seeing Lash in full daylight for the first time was a treat and once the Visual Effects had spun their magic, the rest was up to Special Effects Supervisor Gary D’Amico. Lash is full of exquisite detail and the makeup and prosthetic teams did a magnificent job of transforming Matthew Willig into this imposing creature. If we were Von Strucker, we’d have run too.

But the truly distressing element was definitely May’s shocked reaction to the truth from a dying man that had no real reason to lie. She had no idea she’d learn anything like this and Ming-Na Wen played the moment in amazing fashion.

“What is he?” ~ Von Strucker

“I don’t know.” ~ May

May has been emotionally gutted before, but how much of that can one take in a lifetime before they break? Granted May is made of sterner stuff than most, but that was a gut shot that left an empty soul on screen. Her mission was fueled by vengeance, but all the flames burning inside her seemed to go out in an instant. Will she confront Andrew? What kind of conversation will that be? And the real question would be, does she have any idea he and Lash could be one and the same? Since she’s been away, we doubt it, but at some point, we’re betting everyone will know and the reveal won’t be pretty.

FINAL VERDICT: One of the best shows on television just keeps getting better. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. shocked us all and the best part is we know it will only get crazier from here.

Fifty episodes. That’s quite an accomplishment for a series that was uncertain of its own fate at the end of its first season. With a quasi-wrapped story at the time, everything could have ended there if the powers that be decided the Marvel television experiment wasn’t the rousing success they’d hoped for and given up. Boy, are we glad they didn’t make that decision because this show is exponentially better now than it was then and we’re not seeing signs of it slowing down either. Unbelievable Visual Effects, high-octane stunt choreography and an incredible story made this episode a fun, emotional ride. Well done Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. You wowed us at nearly every turn.

Writer Drew Z. Greenberg, veteran of Arrow, Warehouse 13 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, drew on his experience blending emotional stories, dramatic twists and touches of humor to weave the many threads of this episode toward its dramatic conclusion. The intense sparing of Coulson and Price was offset beautifully by the lighter escapades of Daisy, Mack and Hunter. Action-packed and emotional moments from May and Bobbi grounded the episode in the very humanity that Coulson worked to ignore and then found he couldn’t through Price. All of those elements set us up for the real bombshell—Andrew’s identity. That’s a pretty complex set of emotional notes to hit and this episode did it with ease.

All three stories complemented each other perfectly and came together at the end to send them all in completely opposite emotional directions from where each started. That’s stellar work and Director Dwight Little deserves major props for getting just the right performances at just the right times to do it. Humor, emotion and gut-wrenching reveals made this episode a blast to watch. The transformation of Andrew from trustworthy to sinister by Blair Underwood was remarkable work. Subtle hints early were easier to see on a second viewing, but a nefarious intent was clear once his true identity was known. Underwood has charmed us from the beginning, but that blank stare through the fire was a man we haven’t seen. Andrew is playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with Inhumans and he’s doing it right under the watchful noses of trusting Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

With so many twists, turns and emotionally charged moments, it’s hard not to rate this as one of the best episodes of the season. We just got a glimpse of Powers Boothe as Gideon Malick and definitely want to see more. And though Brett Dalton was severely underused once again, we get the impression that won’t be the case forever. We also get the feeling head’s are about to knock between Daisy and Coulson over what to do with the ATCU. While he may not completely agree, he can certainly see Rosalind’s emotional stance, but Daisy won’t see that no matter what he says. All she’ll see is his soft spot for a woman that has wormed her way into his world. The life of a potential step-parent is a tough road at times Constance Zimmer.

Despite jumping back into the fray, both Bobbi and May got more than they bargained for and it will be interesting to see how both handle things going forward. Bobbi may have cleared a hurdle, but May looked hollowed. And while Hunter may have annoyed Fitz (Iain De Caestecker), a seed was definitely planted. Despite his insistence to Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), he has more than a passing curiosity about Will (Dillon Casey). Where that goes is anyone’s guess, but the real danger is Andrew. Him hiding in plain site, right under everyone’s noses, is going to put someone in deep trouble at some point. We don’t know who or where, but we’re betting it will happen sooner rather than later so we don’t plan to miss the next episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D to find out!

Questions, Comments, Concerns and My Reaction on Twitter…

• May is BACK Agents! But has she bitten of more than even SHE can chew?? #AgentsofSHIELD starts NOW!
• Where the hell do you think you’re going? Angry May is not the May you want to mess with. At all.
• Are you back? Yeah. I’m back. Hell yes! @MingNa
• So, you CAN fight your own battles. What? DAMN! That was badass!! @MingNa @AdriannePalicki
• Okay. I could watch an entire hour of May vs Bobbi throwing down. #JustSayin
• I’ll take care of everything. This just got really, really sticky I think.
• I do believe Hunter just got the VERY cold shoulder. Protective of your new bestie Fitz?
• Coulson is headed to her place. Not how I figured the first date would go, but—you know…
• Mind if we take a look around? Of course. Not you. Shut down @clarkgregg!
• Little tip. Next group that Hunter wants to join cause he’s bored. SAY NO!
• There you go. Blood. Ooooo.. He really DOES have anger issues.
• Let’s go see the facility. But she didn’t have to toss the DJ’s did she @clarkgregg?
• You just remember. When I come calling, I chose a side. THAT is going to be bad for you at some point @IMBrettDalton.
• If you tell anyone I said that. I’ll find your base and blow it up. These two are priceless @clarkgregg @ConstanceZimmer
• Among Us Hide.. Whoa.. O.O :O @BlairUnderwood @MingNa
• Wait .. how old is Lincoln?? @LukeMitchell__ @ChloeBennet4
• I believe #AgentsofSHIELD celebrated it’s 50th episode w/STYLE! Outstanding ep @DrewZachary! & can we get a VFX standing O? @MarkKolpack