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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 2, Episode 14 “Love in the Time of Hydra” (B-)

There’s still a whole lot going on here, and while I’m intrigued to see where some of it goes, it’s not all completely even in its execution. We hadn’t seen Ward since before this show went on hiatus back in December, and I guess I had just assumed that he died since I couldn’t recall all the developments of that eventful midseason finale. It turns out that’s not the case, which I’m fine with since I think that he’s become a decent character after his surprising change into Hydra mole for hire. Agent 33 is also interesting, and the two of them make a decent team and couple, even if their exact aims aren’t fully clear. Her not being able to get rid of May’s face is intriguing, though obviously it presents both advantages and disadvantages. Talbot’s search for the imposter wearing his wife’s face was extremely over-the-top, and hardly the best use of his character, who is at least now firmly pro-S.H.I.E.L.D. if otherwise incompetent. I’m thrilled to see Edward James Olmos as the commander of the “real S.H.I.E.L.D.” and unsurprised that Kirk Acevedo is playing another mid-level troublemaker with an attitude, but I don’t really understand what this other organization is about other than questioning Coulson’s leadership. Skye’s new seclusion may do her some good in terms of getting her new abilities under control, but I have a feeling that being alone for too long is going to lead to her changing too much and not being able to keep her frustration and isolation in check.