I’m not quite sure what they’re doing with the scheduling for Agents of SHIELD, but it’s getting a bit odd. They took a random few week break, came back last week, now this week is their “winter finale.” I guess working for SHIELD must come with a great vacation package.
After an odd few-week hiatus, the Agents of SHIELD return to “Deal With Our Devils.” Of course, with Ghost Rider running around, that might not be a figure of speech. What we do get is an interesting continuation of where things left off, and some pretty interesting story-telling techniques.
Luke Cage’s eighth episode is “Blowin’ Up The Spot,” and opens where the last one stopped, with Luke and Claire both very surprised that he got shot. He gets taken away in an ambulance, which Claire says is being driven by a friend of hers who is “discreet.” It doesn’t matter how discreet he is, as the shooter follows them and uses some kind of explosive to knock the ambulance over. The shooter stalks them, and apparently knows Cage from his early life, as he calls him, “Carl.”
The Marvel Cinematic Universe adds not only a new character, but a whole new area to their shared world as the Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange, debuts, bringing magic with him. Earlier movies (Thor, Thor: The Dark World) made some half-hearted attempt to invoke Arthur C Clarke’s comment about, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” With Dr. Strange, magic is most definitely not the same thing as science.
Since Jane Foster took up Mjolnir, it’s been acting a lot differently than for anyone else who has wielded it. Last issue, it even helped keep her secret identity, much to the confusion of a few rabid SHIELD agents. This issue goes back and tells the origin of Thor’s hammer. In the past, there’s just been a passing reference to the dwarves of Nidavellir forging the hammer from mystic uru and that’s been about it.
With the backdrop of the second Civil War of the Marvel Universe going on, Sam Wilson has his own problems. His acting as Captain America, especially since Steve Rogers was restored to health, isn’t popular in some circles. Now, some of these people have gotten together behind the scenes and provoked US Agent into confronting Sam and trying to get him to give up the shield and costume. US Agent apparently benefitted from the sorta-reboot Marvel did during Battleworld, since not that long ago he was missing at least an arm and one leg, but now seems completely whole.
Daredevil’s second season continues with “Dogs to a Gun Fight.” In the wake of the attack on the hospital in the premier, the police have a lot to do. CSI is working the scene of the attack, which is most of that floor of the hospital. You’ve got to feel sorry for those techs.
Daredevil returns for season two with “Bang.” If this is anything to judge by, it will be just as good as last time, which is to say great. The opening scene involves a heat wave gripping New York, with all the bad temper that usually brings. This becomes a chase through the streets between several police officers and a gang of masked men. Of course, it’s not long before Daredevil becomes involved and handles the bad guys easily enough. It’s a great action scene showcasing Daredevil’s skills.
Jessica Jones’ first season goes out with a bang in “AKA Smile.” Everything comes together beautifully, if a bit tragically, but that seems to be the norm for Miss Jones. There were several surprises that I didn’t see coming, and a few things I hoped for didn’t happen… but I’m getting ahead.
The end of Jessica Jones’ first season is almost here. Episode 12 is “AKA Take A Bloody Number,” and shows events building to a head. Several parts of the series that have been separate so far collide in this episode, at times violently. The writers do a great job of balancing the various superpowers with very human reactions.
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