There’s a tradition of good SHIELD agents being on the run from bad elements in the organization. It’s happened in the comics a lot, especially with Fury. This was also a good bit of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  That tradition continues here, as Coulson and Hunter are being pursued by Gonzales and his version of SHIELD in “Afterlife,” this week’s episode of Agents of SHIELD. Coulson and Hunter have a very entertaining scene with a used car salesman to open the episode.

Skye has her own issues as she wakes up with strange glowing acupuncture needles stuck in her. She’s at Gordon’s refuge, called Afterlife. She meets Lincoln, a young man who calls himself her “transitioner,” someone designated to help her adapt after her gaining powers from the Terrigen Mists. Skye immediately tells Lincoln she wants to leave and help her friends. Lincoln tells her that Gordon is the only way in and out, and the teleporter isn’t there.

Gonzales, in my opinion, continues to show his irrational side. Seven of the agents he sent after Skye were killed, and he blames Skye. Let’s see, sending armed agents after someone with powers that she hasn’t learned to control yet, and having them open fire on her… yeah, how dare she not just stand there and get shot? Gonzales continues to insist that they are all SHIELD agents, and there are no prisoners here. Yet he’s got May locked in a cell, had Fitz and Simmons cuffed earlier, and is still hunting for Coulson, Hunter, and Skye. Is he listening to himself? Upon hearing Gonzales’ “no prisoners” speech, Fitz tells Gonzales he wants out.

Fitz and Simmons work together and show what two geniuses can do. They put one over on Gonzales and his acolyte, Mac. It’s very nicely done, and it was nice to see Fitz and Simmons get some credit. The repercussions from that should be interesting.

Coulson has a plan, which at first glance seems a bit dubious. He and Hunter go to the cabin retreat Skye was at (that remote place gets a lot of traffic) and then tell Gonzales’ team where they are. The plan has a few twists, which lead to the return of a character from last season. Coulson put this together really well. Less pleasing is Coulson’s deduction that they’re going to need to find Ward. Just what we need, bring that crazy killer back, as if Gonzales and his thugs aren’t bad enough.

Gonzales tries his next trick– trying to get May to join him. Gonzales asks if she’s loyal to SHIELD or to Coulson, and she witheringly says, “They’re the same.”  Gonzales keeps trying to recruit her, and she remains loyal to Coulson, although she does seem be considering his offer.

Skye gets a few surprises in her hideaway. Gordon won’t help her contact SHIELD, won’t let her leave, and refuses to tell her where Raina and Cal are. Lincoln shows that he has powers, which is a bit odd. Earlier, he said it had been a long time since anyone got powers, which is why Skye is so important. Lincoln looks pretty young, so either he’s not aging normally or that argument falls apart. Later, Skye gets visited by Jai, one of the leaders, after Skye figures out where Raina is and she and Raina have a fight. Skye doesn’t recognize Jai, but viewers should. Cal does, but he still gets told he can’t see Skye, or Daisy as he keeps calling her.

As the episode ends, the team is split even more. Skye is off in Afterlife, and essentially a prisoner. Coulson, Hunter, and their new ally are off hunting for Ward. Simmons is with Gonzales and company. Fitz finally manages to leave, although where he’s going I’m not sure. I suspect Gonzales has people following him and will recapture him later, but that’s just me.

What I liked: Coulson put together a good plan and used some resources I’ve been wondering about for a while. Hunter is amusing comic relief. Fitz’ anger at Mac for the betrayal makes a lot of sense, and Fitz and Simmons working together to outwit Gonzales and company was great. Morse is starting to have some doubts about Gonzales’ witch hunt after Coulson, and May remains loyal.

What I didn’t: Mac is a zealot, and he needs to take a look at what they’re actually doing. I’m not enjoying this entire multi-SHIELD plot. Gordon is keeping people prisoner, and most of them seem fine with it, which is just really weird, and I mentioned the bit about Lincoln’s seeming age and the powers issue.

I’ll give this one a 3 out of 5. It was amusing, but not great. I’m hoping the Gonzales faction gets dealt with soon. I’m getting tired of them.