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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 5, Episode 3 “A Life Spent” (C+)

I’m really just not understanding why this is where we’re spending our time. I was frustrated leading up to the framework because it felt like everyone was being replaced by robots and that things could never go back to the way they were, but then they did and instead of getting to experience the readjustment, everything is just as irreversible now that they’re stranded so far in the future with little hope of getting back to their quaked-apart planet so many years earlier. It doesn’t seem possible that they’ll escape anytime soon, especially considering the newly-revealed treachery perpetrated by Deke, who made sure that Daisy demonstrated her powers for Kasius before he presented her as a valuable item to sell. I find the “silence” device that Kasius and Sinara use on Simmons to be very creepy, and I really can’t imagine how she’ll be able to communicate with anyone on the team to get out of this life of servitude. She managed to save Abby’s life by training her, but all that did was get her sold too. The side mission that Coulson, May, and Mack convinced Tess to take with them didn’t go too awry thanks to the clever thinking to implicate Zev as the traitor, and Yo-Yo’s abilities continue to be extremely convenient and awesome. Going back to Earth seems less and less appealing with the sight of a stranded Zev ready to be taken by the elements after being banished to its surface, and I’m wondering whether I’ll even feel like tuning in next week to continue watching this seemingly aimless saga.

What I’m Watching: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season Premiere)

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2 “Orientation, Parts One and Two” (B-)

I almost missed this two-hour premiere, and I’m surprised that ABC decided to debut this season on a Friday night at the beginning of December, hardly a plum launching pad. If there’s only thing that I might have hoped for in the aftermath of the Framework and all the body-switching that occurred in the run-up to the show’s immersion in its fabricated world, it would be to return to regular antics of inhumans on Earth and this group that defends them from public opinion and other nefarious forces that might threaten everyone on the planet. Instead, we’ve fast-forwarded to the future, where Earth is a sliver of debris floating in space and all our characters have to get used to a society where humans bow down to the Kree for scraps of food and other privileges. A lot of this two-hour episode was exposition to determine just where they are and if there’s any hope of getting back, and the only glimmer of anything optimistic is that, for some reason, Fitz didn’t get taken and might be working on some plan to bring them home. The other good news is that they still have their powers, and as long as they make the right friends, like Pruitt Taylor Vince’s Grill and Eve Harlow’s Tess, they can stay alive long enough to figure out how to save the human race or at least what’s left of it. Who knows what fate Simmons has set herself up for, and I worry that it might be too late to depend on her for an enterprising solution like turning off the tech and rebooting it like she did with the ship. I did enjoy a few of the episode’s comic moments, like Mack comparing their situation to a horror movie where they split up and his decision to speak Spanish to Yo-Yo when he realized their captors spoke English. Let’s hope for a bit more direction and some semblance of an eventual return to how things used to be in the episodes to come.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 22 “World’s End” (B+)

I didn’t know how this show was going to deal with Aida and her omnipotence, but it happened all right. I’d say that the image of her face being burned off by Ghost Rider’s fiery whip was plenty disturbing and more than enough proof that the former android is really gone for good. It was strange to see Robby again after so long and to have him play a role after being gone for nearly the entirety of the robot-related part of this season, but that was also fitting, since he was the only one who was able to take down someone so powerful. He also apparently brokered some deal with Coulson which may affect him going forward. I don’t know what to make of them being in space, and I like that we saw them all out eating at a dinner before the arrest that they knew was coming, though I can’t imagine they knew where they were going. The finale of the framework was fitting, with Radcliffe rescuing Yo-Yo, Mack’s daughter just disappearing, and Radcliffe’s world ending without a sound. Simmons using a robot version of herself as a decoy to bait Aida was smart, and though we’ll now have to contend with space and maybe even aliens, at least we’ll know that whichever character we’re seeing is really that person. I wasn’t so happy in the middle of this season, but I’m glad to report that, from episode sixteen on, this show has been firing on all cylinders. With a season five renewal announced and a planned January return date, let’s hope the next installment is more well-rounded and retains the show’s best qualities.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Mallory Jansen as Aida

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 21 “The Return” (B+)

The aftermath of the framework is not an entirely pleasant place, though at least it’s good that Hydra is a thing of the past. Coulson was on his game, pulling out the cool trick of triggering his pop-up hologram shield to slice off the Russian’s face. The only problem, of course, is that the Russian can replicate himself and be killed over and over again without any worry that he’ll actually be dead. Unfortunately, he and Aida make a formidable team, and they seem set on ruling the world to make it more in their image. The idea that Aida made herself real to become human is fascinating, and Fitz did a tremendous job convincing her to feel empathy, which enabled her to save Mack. That same surge of emotion proved to be immensely destructive when Aida couldn’t understand why Fitz chose Simmons over her, and she lost it in a big way. Aida giving herself more than one power means she’s a true threat, and only Fitz seems to understand that. Yo-Yo going into the framework to rescue Mack by herself wasn’t the best idea she’s ever had, and the fact that she’s strapped down in the middle of a whole lot of chaos does not bode well at all. On top of everything, apparently now is the time that Robbie feels is appropriate to return from hell or wherever he went, as if summoned by May asking about what happened to him. Maybe he’ll come in handy in the finale and help to teleport Mack and Yo-Yo home.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 20 “Farewell, Cruel World!” (B+)

Well, they made it. Not all of them, of course, since Mack decided to stay behind with his daughter and Trip. This was definitely a huge ordeal, and you could see the relief Coulson felt as soon as he returned, with May showing up a moment later and then a completely wrecked Fitz coming through, unable to believe what he did which resulted in the deaths of both Agnes and Mace. I was worried that Fitz wasn’t going to end up going through, but Radcliffe showing one final act of loyalty to the good guys was a nice way to leave him in the framework. Something tells me they’re going to go back, partially to rescue Mack and likelier to try to find Fitz. I won’t pretend to understand how the darkhold is supposed to work, but the sight of Aida materializing and then somehow transporting Fitz somewhere just by touching him is cause for extreme concern. Aida was not happy to be losing control of her number one errand boy and true love, who was more interesting in hunting down the woman who killed his father than obeying the orders of Madame Hydra. Simmons and Daisy made it out, but it seems that those watching guard over them had to attract too much attention in order to keep them safely plugged in, and I think it’s going to be a long journey for Fitz and Simmons to be reunited, especially considering the fact that Aida is going to do everything in her power to keep Fitz for herself.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 19 “All the Madame’s Men” (B+)

I’m feeling more and more that all of the android confusion that led to where we are now was worth it since everything happening within the framework is extremely interesting and engaging. What I continue to be most impressed by is the way that Ward has turned into a sympathetic character, assuring Daisy that he isn’t the man that he thinks he is and then selflessly offering to stay behind and be gunned down in defense of what he believes to be right. Simmons and Daisy are both so happy to have Trip back, and it’s nice to see this show rebooting to a younger, more pleasant time, at least in part, as one of its main characters, May, has totally switched back over to the good side and the other, Fitz, still hasn’t found his way back to being a good person. Simmons has realized what’s going on and what Aida is doing, and it seems more vital than ever that they find a way out of the framework, especially in light of their Quinjet location in the real world being identified and set as a missile target. The ending to this episode was truly superb, with Coulson assuming the leadership role that he was always meant to have, following the example of the fallen Patriot, and proudly declaring that he is an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. on television. The subtle mention of alternative facts was not lost on me, and I think this show is becoming more complex and less convoluted that I thought it could be.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 18 “No Regrets” (B+)

I wasn’t sure how long all this within-the-framework story would go on, but I’m glad that it’s taken center stage now since I think it’s far superior to what was happening beforehand with Radcliffe and Aida slowly replacing every single member of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team except for Simmons and Daisy with android stand-ins. Mac showing up to help the framework version of S.H.I.E.L.D. was an important trigger for the question of what people are capable of, with just one regret taken away capable of transforming them into an entirely different kind of person. And we saw some cracks in the two toughest framework characters we’ve met, with Fitz starting to doubt whether he should have coldly killed Agnes and May trying to decide whether she’s really on the right side. I really liked the portrayal of Mace as the Patriot here, and the notion that, as it appears, he died doing something truly heroic that in this universe he could actually do because of his inhuman abilities, is really fitting and a fond farewell to a great character. I also like that Ward is still portrayed as a good person here, and that he posed the question that everyone should be thinking, about how Simmons is so sure that what she knows to be reality is in fact what is real and the framework is the fabrication. I’m not sure what happens next, but I’m very intrigued to see how the next four episodes play out and how things are when everyone who survives is returned to their natural habitats.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 17 “Identity and Change” (B+)

I was getting tired of this show earlier in this season, and now I’m glad to see that putting almost every agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. into the framework had a point. Coulson may not be much accomplishing much aside from making his own soap, but at least he knows that he’s a good person, as is Mack, who got to be a doting, loyal father in this version of reality. In fact, almost everyone is good, with May pledging allegiance to one authority over another, not coming anywhere near the level of villainy that Fitz displayed. You’d think that it was out of affection towards Aida, or Madam Hydra, as she’s known here, but it turns out that he has somehow become inherently evil. The horror Simmons expressed when she saw him execute Agnes was real, since there’s really no turning back. Even if they somehow make it out to the real world, Fitz can’t take that back, since she’s gone for good. I like that this show is exploring themes like this, with Radcliffe no longer seeming like such a bad guy. And what they’ve done with Ward is cool too, and I’m pleased that Brett Dalton is on call to come back and reprise the role after being off the show for a while. I had almost forgotten about the existence of Director Mace, and seeing him as the brave soldier he couldn’t fully be in real life was pretty cool. There are still five episodes left this season, and I assume that we’re not going to get out of this framework anytime soon.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 16 “What If…” (B+)

This show has been off the air for over a month, and it’s a bit disorienting to have this first hour take place exclusively in the Framework. As if what we had seen May go through while she was fighting for her life and thinking that she had broken free so many times was nothing compared to this. It’s a throwback to see Hydra in such a prominent position of power, and this alternate reality does, as Daisy and Simmons discovered, put each of the imprisoned characters in a state of misery that they would hate and surely will once they discover what is going on and that nothing about this is real. Simmons’ strategy of telling people that they don’t really exist probably isn’t the best way to go about it, and Daisy isn’t being terribly subtle either in her efforts to glean intelligence to gain the upper hand. Waking up with Ward was another major throwback, and casting him as a mole for the good guys was a cool twist. I had expected Radcliffe to be the big terrifying doctor, and having Fitz assume that role, playing so far against type, was an intriguing surprise. I should have seen Aida as the director coming, and having a relationship with Fitz is an interesting addition, especially because, in all likelihood, this may be the real Aida fully aware of what she’s doing and who she is. It’s good to see one glimmer of hope in Daisy’s ability to get through to Coulson and have him remember her name, so maybe they won’t be stuck in this world for all that long.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 15 “Self-Control” (B)

In theory, this was a cool episode, but I do think that this show is seriously in danger of losing its sense of reality. I know that’s kind of the point, and the end of the episode indicates that we might be headed in the right direction. Fitz and Simmons pointing guns at each other was an intense way to start, and Fitz cutting his wrist only to get the upper hand on Simmons was even more serious. The news that Daisy hadn’t yet replaced was mildly affirming, but these guys had tough odds to beat from the outset. I did think that these replacements seemed awfully obvious in their robotic nature, but that was explained later on by Aida telling Radcliffe that they were missing a key piece of the human emotion. For me, that was the best part of this episode, that May was able to be convinced by Simmons and Daisy that she shouldn’t do what she was programmed to do, and that she had the ability to choose. Releasing gas to reveal the replacements was clever, and it’s a good thing that they were able to convince a few allies that they were actually the good guys. What I want to know is what our friends are going to be like when, by the end of the season, they finally come out of stasis. Will it be like “Inception” where they’re unable to accept that they’re actually awake. Most worrisome was Aida’s murder of Radcliffe, converting everything to android control which makes the future of any universe on this show sure to be a very dark place.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 14 “The Man Behind the Shield” (B-)

I’ll admit that things are getting very confusing here, and with all these android replicas of characters showing up, it’s hard to keep track of who is really who, and it could create seasons-long issues of people not really being who they say they are, negating developments that are crucial to the storyline. The conclusion of this episode is that we have two agents – Fitz and Simmons – who are actually who they claim to be, and their fellow agents and assumed allies – Coulson, Daisy, Mac, and Mace – have all been replaced by androids. It’s not clear at all how Radcliffe is able to manufacture exactly replicas of people at such a quick and regular pace, and what’s most interesting about it is that they believe that they are who they’re programmed to be, and only when Radcliffe needs them to follow some programmed directive do they do something that might open their eyes to consider that they may not be who they think they are. My head is spinning writing this, but I’m more concerned that it’s not going to hold up once it’s all over at some point. Keeping the originals alive is obviously important for the continuity of the show and its ability to pick back up once order is restored, but it doesn’t make nearly as much sense for Radcliffe since they will inevitably escape or be rescued. I’m not sure whether the Superior has actually been taken out or not, but until we get more clarification on who is who, I don’t think anything else really matters.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 13 “BOOM” (B+)

In this episode, we got a big shock, something that maybe we should have seen coming. Seeing a woman with Aida’s face who wasn’t an android was a surprise, and it turns out that Agnes is a sweet, endearing woman. Coulson coming to see her to tell her that Radcliffe took May and that she means everything to him was an important admission, and it’s just a shame that she was swayed by Radcliffe’s offer to give her a peaceful life, something that he didn’t deliver on when her body gave up just moments after Aida plugged her in. It’s a shame since she could have changed the game, but I assume there’s something that’s going to have to happen soon to give the good guys a big win. The captain reading the book wasn’t it, and Senator Nadeer getting killed after Shockley tried to prove that she was an inhuman didn’t matter all that much either. Shockley lived up to his name with a fitting power that proved enormously useful – and irritating – and Daisy going head-to-head with him served its purpose when Fitz and Simmons showed up to lock him in some handy contraption they had rigged up to the back of their vehicle. I like that Mace was so bothered by not being Captain America and that he sacrificed himself so that the rest of the team could get away with Shockley. Hopefully, it will turn out to be a good thing that the new high-value inhuman captive isn’t actually an inhuman at all.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 11 “Wake Up” (B)

This whole android-May thing is taking a while to play itself out, and every time someone figures a piece of it out, they don’t even really come close. Aida calmly asking Radcliffe why they don’t just kill the real May was disconcerting, but I think what we found out by the end of the episode – that Radcliffe is in league with Senator Nadeer – suggests that’s he really not much of a good guy. You’d think that Fitz could have found a safer way to test out his theory that the Radcliffe in custody was an android than shooting him in the head, since that would have been a problematic mess to clean up, and it’s a shame that he doesn’t realize that May is also an android, something that she realized but can’t share because of her mission-driven programming. The notion that anyone can be replaced by an android version of themselves is a new direction for this show after its previous focus on what it means to be inhuman. It’s unlikely that, after going through the same simulation endless times, May is going to be able to break out of her situation now that she’s trapped in the memory of rescuing Daisy in Bahrain, close enough to what actually happened for her not to suspect that something is wrong. Out in the real world, S.H.I.E.L.D. is not in good shape, and even Talbot isn’t in a position to be able to help them out. I’m not sure why we’re getting this focus on the newfound relationship between Yo-Yo and Mac, but I suppose it’s interesting to see another side of them.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 10 “The Patriot” (B+)

It’s interesting to see just how publicly S.H.I.E.L.D. is operating right now, and that openness makes them especially vulnerable to the threats that are currently facing them. After proclaiming an embarrassed Daisy as a national hero, things got crazy and Mace did have a superb social media moment when he lifted up the podium and threw it in the air to distance the explosion from the crowd. Everything just went south from there, and then we got the surprising news that Mace isn’t actually an inhuman after all, and that briefcase he keeps nearby all the time holds the serum that gives him his abilities. You’d think they might have a more sophisticated solution to keep him amped up than having to carry something so clunky, but fortunately Coulson and Mac were up to the task of keeping the illusion of his invincibility alive long enough to stall for reinforcements to arrive. It’s good to know that Holden isn’t actually evil and doesn’t want Aida to act on her killer instinct, and it’s disconcerting to see that Aida resists his commands to stop using force and does whatever she needs to in order to accomplish what she sees as her prime directive. Hopefully the decoy May will realize that she’s not real and act on that rather than go through with her mission. Maybe Fitz will figure out what’s going on before the severed Aida head gives anyone too much trouble, and this whole robot business can be put to rest for good.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 9 “Broken Promises” (B)

This show has a pretty incredible ability to immerse and inundate itself in one intense plotline at a moment’s notice, and after we saw Aida kill an agent and reveal that she was holding May captive at the end of the previous episode, now she’s enemy number one trying to destroy the team. Shutting down May at exactly the moment she needed to came in handy, and having Coulson get the location of the book from her while she was watching and listening to them was a great plan. Fortunately, Mac and Yo-Yo were both on the same page thanks to all the movies they had seen about robots being intelligent and taking power, and Mac was ready to slice Aida’s head off, shout “Roll credits!” and first-bump Yo-Yo in a triumphant show of human perseverance that also ranked as the most entertaining development of the hour. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the book that corrupted Aida but her original programmer, who is back to his selfish ways and trying to gain infinite knowledge thanks to the book. Having a May robot is about the best weapon he has, but the other thing that’s helpful is that no one realizes there’s still a threat. There’s also the case of Senator Nadeer, who initially seemed to go soft on her brother but had no problem putting a bullet in him herself when she saw his formidable powers in action. She’s another villain not to be underestimated who is sure to be even less kind to those she doesn’t consider family.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 8 “The Laws of Inferno Dynamics” (B+)

As this show wraps up the first part of its season before a shorter winter hiatus than usual, I’m glad to see that one of its primary plotlines has now been fully resolved and we’re heading into more compelling territory for the future, which is good since I was considering giving up on this show due to the direction it was headed. Eli was a formidable threat with immense power, and his ability to create water was a dangerous sign of what he might be able to do given the opportunity. Fortunately, Coulson was there with a quip about getting a girlfriend instead and helped to compel Robbie to break free and then dispense with his power-corrupted evil uncle. I like seeing Yo-Yo in action, and it’s nice that she and Mac have finally expressed their feelings for each other. This new superpowered team is cool, and the best part is that they’re supported by Mace, who more than made up for his secretiveness with his total honesty. Explaining Daisy’s presence as a long-term undercover job was brilliant, and now she can be a bona-fide member of the team again. Sponsoring Holden’s work in-house seemed like a positive step, but it appears that Aida’s ability to feel pain has led her to evolve to the point of snapping an agent’s neck and knocking May out, begging the question of just who it is that is sitting and enjoying a drink with Coulson. I guess we’ll find out when the show comes back in January!

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 7 “Deals with Our Devils” (B)

As I was watching this episode, I started to wonder whether I really need to continue with this show on a weekly basis. It’s hard to give it up though, especially after an episode that started out iffy and then ended up being far more enticing as it went on. It was hard to tell what was going on with Fitz, Coulson, and Robbie as their whereabouts were initially unknown, and them existing in a different dimension far more removed than all the other ghosts we’ve come to know was bad news. As Mac became Ghost Rider and Aida’s said that she would be able to read the book, we were treated to a far more intriguing and cool playback. Seeing Daisy’s ride happen again with Robbie in the front seat trying to convey instructions to her and Fitz planting the idea in Aida’s head made those moments much stronger, and it was pretty awesome to see Aida build a contraption that allowed them to get Fitz and Coulson back and for Robbie to eventually come through. The unfortunate holdovers are that Robbie and Mac now share some dark Ghost Rider secret and Aida became far too intelligent and now might be a danger to everyone around her, ready to rise up against her human overlords. We also have the mystery that came with the man that Simmons helped to thaw before she was hooded and taken back to the team on Director Mace’s orders, something I’m sure we’ll soon revisit.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 6 “The Good Samaritan” (B)

This episode filled in two seemingly unrelated but important origin stories, leading to a major reveal at the end of episode that changes things in a big way. The Lucy we got to know back when she was still solidly alive – and solid in form – was far kinder and more pleasant than the ghost of a person we’ve come to know. Of course we should only get to see that in an installment when Robbie flamed on and obliterated her from existence, ending her revenge tour in favor of his own similar pursuit. Finding out that both Robbie and Gabriel died after being shot up by hitmen hired by Lucy to take out Eli compounds their story considerably, and at least the presentation of the devil in all his flaming head form fit in much better than I had expected it would for this show. We saw a formidable display of unmatched power from Robbie when he needed to get out of the containment module, hulking out and then punching his way out before nearly choking out Director Mace, who immediately stepped into action to take him on after making a much more diplomatic if equally forceful entrance onto the bus to find the two wanted fugitives. Gabriel being able to talk his brother down is a good thing, and hopefully that can help turn his dark side into a more controllable force. The news that Eli started the whole nightmare and wanted the book so that he could have all the power for himself is worrisome, and that big explosion that happened at the end of the episode seems to have had consequences that could mean trouble for a few of our friends, namely Coulson and Fitz. Simmons’ mystery assignment is intriguing despite her lack of enthusiasm, and let’s hope it’s for something good and not a nefarious purpose.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 5 “Lockup” (B)

Things are starting to really come together, with every player on this show featuring into the plot of this episode in a way that connected them all. Mac, Robbie, and Daisy serving as backup for Coulson and May as they stormed the prison to save Eli was cool, and it’s good to finally have everyone on the same page again even if there were a few growing pains. Mac telling Robbie that he couldn’t control what was inside of him was an interesting diagnosis, but I think that he’s well aware of when he turns it on, and choosing to trigger his inner demon to exact justice was a sure sign of that. Mac realizing that he was infected and immediately injecting himself with the antidote was the smoothest and swiftest reaction we’ve seen yet to one of the undead passing through someone, and he’s an excellent example for all those who have gone crazy to emulate instead. Daisy locking Coulson out to save the day herself was brash and bold, and it’s going to take a lot for her to feel like part of the team again. Mace’s television interview was really something, and kudos to the voice in his ear for bluffing her way out of being given the polygraph. I like that Mace met directly with Senator Nadeer and that she put all her cards on the table, seemingly advocating for true safety and oversight on his part in a way that wasn’t nearly as sinister as what we know she’s up to.

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

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Season 4, Episode 4 “Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire” (B+)

It’s good to see everyone coming back together, even if that wasn’t really anyone’s intention. Daisy tapping into Simmons’ search history to lure her to a potential new home so that she could get her on board with an illicit plan designed to do the same thing S.H.I.E.L.D. wants to do – save inhumans – was a great way to reincorporate her back into the storyline. She’s clearly in bad shape, and even though she doesn’t want to work with the agency anymore, it makes sense that she should. It’s also good that Robbie may be coming on board since, even though he made a deal with the devil, he could be a solid ally, especially if he’s able to stop himself from killing when directed. The car chase where Coulson was right behind him was pretty thrilling, and the invisible ship never gets old, particularly when it serves to catch someone totally off guard and not damage his car at all. Coulson’s fearlessness came in handy, and letting Robbie loose turned out to be a good call. Jose Zuniga, a regular TV guest star whose role on “Dexter” immediately comes to mind, is a perfect choice to play Uncle Eli, who seems to have his family’s best interests in mind and who could also help S.H.I.E.L.D. out a great deal. James switching sides and working to help track down inhumans shouldn’t come as a surprise given his willingness to go along with Hive last season. Aida is quite something, and I love that she fooled everyone except for Simmons, who thought that Fitz didn’t realize that she was an android.