There will be some minor spoilers contained below.
When you have an episode with more of a Marvel Comics feel rather than trying to be grounded in reality, it feels more natural. The biggest thing going for this series is the fact that it is based on the comics and centered in the Cinematic Universe. The show's producers and writers should take advantage of that whenever possible.
The episode opens with a man in Hong Kong who is apparently a pyrokinetic. Again, this gives us the feeling the the Marvel characters actually have a chance to exist on the small screen. The man is soon greeted by a mysterious women in a flower dress, which will kick off the story. As the agents soon have to locate this guy, more on Sky's backstory is revealed.
There are some different layers to the show. We're seeing Agent Ward warming up more and more to Sky, who may or may not be trustworthy. We also find out that Coulson is having trouble sleeping, although he claims it's more that he feels like he has more energy. The casual mention that S.H.I.E.L.D. has a list of super-powered individuals they're keeping tabs on is enough to put a smile on every comic book reader's face. This means there is a bigger potential for more super-powered characters or possible actual ones we know about.
As the Rising Tide organization is involved in stealing classified information, Sky's loyalties are really called into question.
This soon leads to a change in the show, we get some implied sexual situations. This is an area the show has pretty much steered clear of in the first four episodes. To see the two participants in bed and then proceed to get dressed, it's an unfortunate decision. The show has previously teetered on the edge of being appropriate for the entire family. My ten-year-old daughter is a big fan of the show. Unfortunately with scenes like this...let's hope this doesn't become a trend. It may be the producers' way to try to make the show a little more 'grown up.' It really doesn't add anything to the show overall. They could have easily implied all they wanted and had a...cleaner cut afterwards with the same results. This may appeal to certain audiences but it is also limited the show from others.
The story overall managed to be engaging. We might still question why S.H.I.E.L.D. is sending out such a small team to highly dangerous situations but there are seeds being planted for possible future storylines and threats. Also, getting to the bottom of Sky's story was a great move. For her to do so much being everyone's back would just be insulting to the idea that they're supposed to be Marvel's top secret agents.
The show still isn't everything I'd like it to be. But it is still improving and evolving. We get some more ties to certain elements from the movies and a way to further build on a way to include more characters and enemies in future episodes. The show benefits from the idea of super-powered or comic book-themed ideas and characters. As long as the series builds on this, we can get the show that we want. Let's just hope the show focuses on the action and less on the passion.
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