Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
One of Us
Season 2, Episode 13 :: Art of Evolution

3/13/2015

I want everyone to know what you do to people like us.

One of Us is the third print in a series of twelve, available in the Marvel Shop every Friday. If you missed last year's Art of Level 7, and you have what some may call an unhealthy obsession with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., definitely pick up one of these prints before they're gone. They're works commissioned by Marvel from talented artists and each is limited to a series of 100. If you don't get at least one, I know you'll be kicking yourself later when you scour eBay and come up empty or have to pay double its current price.

This is another spectacular work about the upcoming episode, which looks like it will be both creepy and fun; Kyle MacLachlan is always a treat. It depicts Coulson surrounded by a team of villains, with Skye's delightful whackjob father looming over them. It was created by a team of comic book artists, illustrator Declan Shavley and colorist Jordie Bellaire. Those names might mean something to you, but I'm just restating what I read this morning in Entertainment Weekly's article about the print. I've never been heavily into comics. Not my fault that I didn't have an allowance or a nearby comic shop as a kid, as I've mentioned a couple times before. I'm catching up as an adult...very slowly since it's such a rich history. Only yesterday I found out Skye's superhero/inhuman nickname - Quake. (Cool!) So, I didn't have any reaction to finding out Skye's name back before the long break for Agent Carter (another great show). If it had been familiar to me, I'm sure it would have been a goosebump moment.

Any fan of the show knew she was special from the second episode of the first season, 0-8-4, but until the middle of this season there was only speculation as to what she would become. Somehow I never had an idea to look up the name Daisy Johnson then. I also never researched who her father was. Sometimes I want to find out more about a character. Sometimes I don't want to spoil a single thing. I'd rather let the story tell me in its own time. This time I don't know what happened. I've been distracted by life and other shows for a few months and completely forgot to read into their backgrounds. Anyway, I can't wait to see where all this goes, especially leading into the future movies, like Inhumans, which is, sadly, quite a ways off. That storyline is starting here, and it was meant to be that way from the beginning. People who abandoned the series get to miss so much. I love the interconnectedness of it all.

Before I leave for work, I have a few thoughts about the last episode, "Who You Really Are." First of all, poor Skye. Having dangerous powers that aren't yet in her control coupled with the reaction she feared is a sad outcome. Poor Jemma. Fitz thought she couldn't be trusted with a major secret. The way she has been talking about destroying Raina because she was changed rightfully made Skye and Fitz wary, but Simmons would have wanted to help Skye. It was good to see that the experienced and level-headed leaders, Coulson and May, stepped up to protect Skye, as I knew they would, while Bobbi, Mack and Hunter were mostly concerned for themselves.

Speaking of Mack, I'm finding myself wishing he'd been the one to turn to dust. I like him, but he's been so on edge and scary angry, which is perfectly understandable considering what everyone's been through. But then to combine that with whatever secret he and Bobbi are keeping has tentatively changed my mind about him, about both of them. There's been enough betrayal for a lifetime with Ward, and SHIELD disintegrating in the fires of Hydra's resurrection. I get the feeling that Tripp would have been one to support Skye, but I will of course see how it goes with Bobbi and Mack before condemning them. What are they up to? I hope it doesn't involve trying to tear apart the team. This is another point I won't be looking to theories to answer. I want the show to tell me in its own time. And wherever they go I will follow. If I didn't have an emotional reaction, whether good or bad, then the show wouldn't be worth it. And it is so worth it.

Also, it was nice to Lady Sif again. And Eddie McClintock as a Kree! Loved that, both that there's a Kree and that it was McClintock. (I miss Warehouse 13.) Although, I did accidentally see a teaser CG pic of him as Vin-Tak on Twitter earlier in the week and he was unmistakable, so it wasn't exactly a surprise on the show.

Before we part, you still have a chance to buy Who You Really Are and Aftershocks at Marvel Shop.