Exclusively revealed by Entertainment Weekly, this is the sixth and final print in the Art of Level 7 series for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. After everything that's happened this season, and particularly in the last five soul-crushing episodes of the Uprising arc, the "Beginning of the End" should be a really significant finale.
"All that anger, all that pain, you need to hold it in and focus it on Skye. She's alive, and she just walked out of here hand-in-hand with someone she knows is a murderer, because she's playing him just like he played us."
Update, 1-3-2018: Since I bought this AoS-type font a couple days ago, I've been going through all my posts and giving the titles some consistency. Unfortunately, many subtitles were a victim of my new format. This one was originally "I'll Never Abandon Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." I could also have titled it "Disloyal Viewers" or "Instant Gratification Seekers." Some people get way, way too involved with just one character in an ensemble and abandon it the moment it veers off the safe, same path. Apparently, some people have a hard time envisioning how a plot twist that twists a knife in the emotions of the characters could result in the best moments going forward. These moments are what give the actors something real to work with. The viewers receive a gift of feeling in the wake of tragedy. It's what connects us to the story and makes us care. Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked, but you can read more thoughts along the same lines below.
I wanted to have this done by last Thursday, but May (not the agent) started kicking my ass early. I read comments again. Please save me from the people who make rash decisions then feel they need to leave their opinions below things I read. If you stopped watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. because of what happened with Ward, if you didn't watch anything after "Turn, Turn, Turn," then I feel sorry for you. You might feel like you were betrayed as a fan, but there is a difference between being betrayed by a character and being betrayed by the writers and the show itself. It felt personal to turn Ward, someone we grew to love because he was in every episode as part of the team, but that's what makes it work. At that moment a great show became an incredible show that isn't afraid to have true emotion. Instead of being a season full of isolated incidents, it's all connected with a larger universe and every episode matters.
"I also like how the branches of the trees are entwined in the Hydra logo at the top, and then seem to stretch into his brain, as if they’re controlling him."
Out of the five limited edition posters for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., this is my fourth favorite. I could never say any weren't favorites, because the show overall has been fantastic and the final episodes of the season are mind-blowing and have left a lot of fans emotional wrecks. But I don't have the money to spend right now, and I liked the previous print more. This one is a bit busy for my taste, and I feel like I would have to mount it so it rotates, though it grows on me more every time I look at it. It will likely have more significance and beauty once I see "Ragtag." ("Boy, was I was right about that one!" she says from all the way over here in 2020, having gone through the events of this episode and so much more. We're now in the seventh and final season, which started with Coulson dealing with his third resurrection—and the fans celebrating it—and the team racing through time. Just eleven episodes to go now. Looking forward to "Alien Commies from the Future!" which, as a title, is just fun.)
It's Thursday again. You know what that means. At least, you do if you've read my Art of Level 7 posts for the last three Thursdays. It's time for the fourth lithograph in the Art of Level 7 series, which means there are only two more after this one. I have limited funds, so I may not buy this one, though it is a beauty that I'm sure will sell out rather quickly. (Read more about it at EW.com.) I'm trying to wait for "Beginning of the End" since it's the finale and will likely leave me yearning for the second season immediately.
Thought I was done for the day, but there's one more thing. This third poster in the Art of Level 7 series. I love this because it's sort of similar to what I've had in mind since Coulson died in The Avengers: a lone cellist playing in the dark with a spot of light on her. My version had her facing forward and I imagined a sort of ghostly Coulson just behind her, not knowing how he would return, only knowing that he should. One day, I may have a chance to actually draw it.
"There’s gotta be something here. This means something. This has to mean something. The world needs us. Hydra is out there. We cannot let them win. We cannot let them define us. Do you understand that? We are not agents of nothing. We are agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and that still carries weight. It – it has to carry weight. After everything we’ve been through, that carries weight!"
Every episode has a moment that defines it. This is that moment in "Providence." In fact, it defines Coulson and the entire show and brings tears to those caught off guard. It's said with conviction and passion at a time of sheer desperation. It's poignantly written and acted and assures me that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will remain a favorite for years to come.
Until the series ends, I'll always be behind adding to this playlist. I had to stop for quite a while, so there's a big gap. Still, there are 170 songs to enjoy.
This is the essence of The Blacklist. Probably my favorite is Disturbed's cover of "Sound of Silence." The scene it played over was one of the most devastating ever in the series.
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