Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Love in the Time of Hydra
Season 2, Episode 14 :: Art of Evolution

3/20/2015

Coulson and his secrets? That's the threat, and I think it's time that we remove that threat.

It's Friday again somehow. That means the fourth Art of Evolution print is here! And it has nothing to do with the quote I chose. It was the only one I could really use from the sneak peek. It only had one shot of Ward that went by so fast that I almost thought I imagined it, until today's print was revealed. Apparently, Ward has more to do with this episode than the commercial let on. Love in the Time of Hydra depicts Ward with both Skye, a woman he claimed to love (and I think he really did) and May, a woman he was involved with. It seems to me that they are just ghosts, memories of what he gave up by giving in to Hydra. According to an Entertainment Weekly interview with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeff Bell, the face-stealing, Hydra-brainwashed Agent 33 is a big part of this episode. We last saw her helping Ward, so maybe he has a new love with the face of an enemy and no identity of her own. That could get a bit confusing emotionally, and Ward is already screwed up enough. But anything that can remind him how to be human could be a good thing.

But we won't know how this will play out until next Tuesday at 9 PM. Until then, I'll just have to say a few things about the previous episode, "One of Us." I'll start with the most pressing issue. I need Fitz and Simmons to forgive each other. They are so great together. He told her he loved her before he sacrificed himself. Then she basically ran away when he needed her the most. Granted, she was needed to go undercover, but she never knew what to say and welcomed the opportunity to disappear. Hopefully their shared moment over May and her ex, where they both acted like themselves again for a scene, is an indicator that their friendship will be salvaged. I don't know what the writers will do, but that's how it seemed. FitzSimmons were too good together, such a fun pair, so in sync and enthusiastic and sweet. They just brought joy to the show. That's been lacking, for very good reason, replaced by dread and danger at every turn. They eventually have to find a way back to a place where there's room to breathe again. And maybe they'll be stronger for it, having gone through so much.

Of course, FitzSimmons aren't the only one's trying to adjust. Normally I would assume that someone with Skye's newfound power just needs time to learn to control it. I love the twist that it comes out in her dreams. That's a scary thought that you can kill everyone you love while you're unconscious. And when she's awake, trying to direct the quake internally comes with terrible consequences. She has to let it out. Since I'm clueless about Marvel characters until they are revealed on screen, that was a nice surprise. Even nicer will be seeing Skye just letting go when dealing with a villain.

I wish I had time to say more, but time is really running short today. I mentioned Bobbi and Mack last week, so I don't need to say much more. Now we know they're working for a new S.H.I.E.L.D. I didn't expect them to be bad since I knew bit about them from peeking into the corners of the Marvel Universe (though I try not to so I don't spoil anything), and they seemed sincere even in their collusion. But still I had my reservations, because I have no idea what the writers will change in order to mix things up and keep fans guessing. I'd just like to know how could work with Coulson and be adamant that he needs to go? He is such a good guy and has has done everything he can to keep his team together, to rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D. while being hunted...and haunted, by betrayal, by what happened to him, by what happened to Skye and Fitz. They all went through so much and they're stronger for it. What a thankless job Coulson has.

It looks like "Love in the Time of Hydra" will be memorable, but that's not unusual for this series. It may even be one of the game changers. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. just keeps upping the stakes and outdoing itself, even as it introduces more characters while being sure to stay emotionally tied to the ones we've been invested in from the beginning.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Hello, Angar the Screamer, scary guy with the unhinged jaw. Damn nightmare fuel there.

I love being introduced to all these rich Marvel characters that I never knew. I have to thank Robert Downey, Jr and Iron Man for getting me interested in the first place. Oh my God, that was eight years ago. Eight! What?!

I need more Blair Underwood, in this show as May's ex husband Andrew and in general. He's not in enough of my shows.

Get your Love in the Time of Hydra print before it's gone. They are limited to 100 each. And if you missed the previous prints, all three are still available at Marvel Shop.