I watch some shows that aren’t the best. It’s rare that I find a TV show that I like that’s actually good. For example, despite what nostalgia would have me believe, Digimon is terrible.
My friends love Marvel; I’m undecided. I didn’t start taking Marvel seriously until “The Avengers” came out, so call me a bandwaggoner or whatever else you want. I’m from Washington state, I’m used to it.
I had some…sources tell me “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” was good, but I was hesitant to believe them. I had no intention of ever watching it until I got tired of “Pokemon” (just kidding–I could never get tired of “Pokemon”) and played the first episode.
And I could not. I couldn’t even.
Why do I love this show?
- It has really good action scenes.
If you’re around me long enough, you’ll hear me bash on action movies, which might be unfair, and we can have a huge argument later, guys. But I appreciate good fight choreography. This show has plenty of explosions and hand-to-hand combat, and it’s awesome. - Phil Coulson is in it.
I was really angry when Coulson was killed in “The Avengers.” There are some things you just don’t do: shooting puppies and killing Coulson fall under that category. When I heard about this show, I assumed it was a prequel, because COULSON DIED AND THAT’S HOW TIMELINES WORK. Turns out, not so much. Somehow he survived, and the mystery surrounding his death is a big part of the first season. - Iain de Caestecker is wonderful.
de Caestecker plays Leopold Fitz, a geeky gadget-happy science freak who has trouble with the combat part of being a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. He has all the best lines and is so darn precious I ship him with everyone. About that… - The writers tease a lot of ships and I feel weird about it.
It would be more accurate to say I ship everyone with everyone. Coulson and May have some chemistry? Ship it. Skye has a crush on her Superior Officer? Ship it. Skye and Fitz have a moment alone together? Ship it. Ward rescues Simmons and holds her hand for a split second? Ship it. Ward and May share an intense glance? Like that’ll ever happen…
Wait…what do you mean, that’s canon? - There are “strong” female characters.
Yeah yeah yeah. As a feminist, I’m not supposed to be okay with female characters who are “strong” and nothing else. Thankfully, the women on this show are more than that. The three mains–Skye, Simmons, and May–are all very different: Skye is a smart-alecky computer hacker with a mysterious past; Simmons is the team’s resident skeptic and scientific genius; May, AKA “The Cavalry,” kicks butt, shoots people, and acts as Coulson’s confidante and moral compass. I started off not liking any of them and now I couldn’t imagine the show without them. About THAT… - It keeps making me feel things.
This show is really good at tugging the heartstrings without being over the top. At times, it can get a little “rah rah America,” but for the most part the emotions I feel are genuine. The show keeps developing its characters, allowing them to have real emotions and make choices, sometimes with devastating consequences. I just finished Season 1 and so far I have watched Simmons jump out of a plane, Coulson beg for death, May go postal on the guy who shot her friend, and Fitz sob when bad guys take over his believed S.H.I.E.L.D. I can’t take it. - It continues to surprise me.
Last night I watched the last three episodes of season 1 late at night while my family was sleeping (a routine practice). Multiple times I had to muffle my exclamations/cheers/tears, and that’s something I’ve had to do from episode 1. Very rarely do I know what to expect with this show, and I like it that way–it’s nice not seeing everything coming for once.
If you’re skeptical of all the Marvel hype, give “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” a chance. It has all the ships your little heart could desire, plus some character development and complexity and other stuff that I guess is important to a good story. If you’re not busy, go watch it RIGHT NOW.
Narrative Paradise 