Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Episode 16: Afterlife
Even though we’re in the midst of the whole S.H.I.E.L.D. versus S.H.I.E.L.D. craziness, this episode was pretty good. I think I get where they’re going with it finally. I think the point is to unify the two factions and give that entity more power. It seems like they may have done everything they can by having the group be a ragtag band of rogues and are looking to give them much more power again.
Last week I was questioning why this “Real S.H.I.E.L.D.” somehow had more resources than the version that was personally endorsed by Nick Fury. Even though it still doesn’t make much sense, I think this makes things easier from a writing standpoint. It gives them a way to transform the central group into a much more powerful entity without having to take too much time rebuilding. S.H.I.E.L.D. can still have enemies that make it an underdog, but they’ll be better off this way.
That being said, I’m still seeing a lot of character conflict possibilities. Mack and Bobbi seem like they’re going to have some issues soon. Same as Bobbi and Hunter, lovers who have broken each others’ hearts one too many times. That’ll be interesting, especially if they decide to go the comics route and eventually link Bobbi up with Hawkeye.
The biggest conflict will obviously be Coulson and Gonzales. Two with with very different visions for the same organization. I think it’ll be good to see these two come at odds, because their decisions affect so much more than themselves. They’re both leaders whose followers are loyal and see them as borderline infallible. I don’t think they could ever get along fully or have one concede power to the other. This is one resolution that I don’t think I can predict.
I think the highlight of this episode was seeing more of the Inhumans. They actually used the word Terrigenesis and revealed another hidden city called Afterlife for some reason. Lincoln did a pretty good job explaining their society and how their powers work. The process used to change Skye and Raina was crude and ancient, which explains how dangerous it was. The people of that society are more comfortable with their gifts and I think it’ll be good for Skye to be there for now.
There were a couple of little surprises. The two biggest were Skye’s mother still being alive somehow and the return of Deathlok. The first one has some significance, but there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding Skye’s parents so it’s a little difficult to get too excited.
Deathlok was pretty much the entire first season though, not necessarily the best part, but a big part. I always enjoy seeing characters that are a little too obscure for the big screen make appearances here (I was actually just wondering when we were going to see Graviton’s return). It gives the comic fans something to smirk about. Not saying the movie and TV people don’t deserve smiles of their own, but comic fans have a bigger stake since they’ve been waiting longer for this stuff.
Anyway this time around J. August Richards seemed much more comfortable in the role. He was a little stiff last season, but it worked because of the character’s obvious discomfort with his new abilities. I’m still not 100% clear on why he was the only centipede soldier that survived (It was the icers right?), but it was nice seeing him as the calvary here. His newer comfort seemed appropriate, as he is no longer under Hydra control and is likely more accustomed to his new body.
I enjoyed seeing the enduring Fitz-Simmons bond. It was kind of annoying last season, but these two have become whole characters. Simmons is much more down to earth and serious since losing so many friends to Hydra and her constant guilt over Fitz’s brain damage is steadily motivating her.
Fitz has been pretty much my favorite character this entire season ever since his hallucinations in the first episode. He’s also become a bit grittier and he’s definitely the most loyal when it comes to his friends. It fit his personality to make the decision to leave and try to help Coulson. He doesn’t feel as though he needs anyone anymore and is willing to prove it, because he thinks everyone feels sorry for him. He has remained useful and I’m excited to see where his character is going.
This episode was the kind that builds up the anticipation for what’s coming. It’s a vast improvement over last week, but also built on it. I know better than to underestimate Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. after how amazing the end of the first season was. Let’s keep our eyes peeled.
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
