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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 3, Episode 2 “Purpose in the Machine” (B+)

As usual, there was a lot going on in this episode, but I think that it’s mostly headed in the right direction, which is affirming to see. It seemed that Peter MacNicol’s Professor Elliot Randolph was a familiar face, but I couldn’t remember ever seeing him before. IMDB notes that he guest-starred in episode eight of the first season, but my review makes mention only of Erin Way as a guest star. Regardless of my not remembering him, his spot here was great since it allowed him to be sarcastic and entertaining as an eager alien with many years of experience dealing with a number of savory and unsavory things. He was ultimately helpful in opening the portal, which mostly involved Daisy using her powers to keep it open and Fitz jumping in headfirst. It looked like he and Simmons were going to lose each other, but then fortunately they both made it back, which is a happy occasion that finally reunites them after many tribulations. Andrew analyzing the entire team and them knowing exactly what he’s going to say about them is fun, and I like that he’s a regular player. It was certainly odd to see May playing house (and golf!) with her father, and Hunter arriving to ask her to join him in the hunt to kill Ward should set them both on a great course. Ward really is building quite an army, and his latest recruit – initially a kidnap victim but now his most prized asset – looks to be starting his first mission as an enrolled student in Andrew’s class, which is very worrisome.