What I’m Watching: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agents of S.HI.E.L.D: Season 1, Episode 5 “Girl in the Flower Dress” (B)

This show is definitely on a good track, keeping its storylines rather simplistic and broad but making them considerably more interesting. Starting with Chan showing off his fire-creating abilities and then being abducted by his date’s friends was a good setup, and one that I think this show would benefiting from using again in the future (not too much, of course). Shannon Lucio’s doctor reappearing solidified the strength of the operation going on, and proved worrisome when it was clear that she was setting up yet another super to be a ticking time bomb. Debbie did get what she deserved, and then some, in the form of being incinerated and literally crumbling to pieces, while Raina, who seemed innocent but is clearly the one pulling the strings, made a clean getaway and will now be able to continue her work. On the guest star docket this week was Tzi Ma, who played Jack’s nemesis Chang on “24,” as Chan’s handler, and Austin Nichols, who starred as Tommy Wheeler on “Ray Donovan,” as Miles. Skye’s allegiances have always been uncertain, and I don’t buy that she was spying for the Rising Tide just to get more info about her parents. What is good while she’s around, however, is her bonding with Ward, and it’s nice to him softening up in general. The quote of the episode was definitely Coulson’s excellently-delivered “We don’t want to hurt you, but we have to,” a firm reminder that, no matter how hard they try, they can’t save everybody.