Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. -- Failing

[RDKirk]

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After two episodes, they're floundering, probably to failure, because they're not getting it.

The first major problem is: No superheros. "Superhero," here would include a non-super person who is at least super-heroic, such as Nick Fury, Gabe Jones, Dum-Dum Dugan from the comic. They almost had one in the first episode, but he was a sub-plot "problem" rather than a hero, so that doesn't count.

The second episode was worse--no superhero at all, not even any really cool fighting. Some very week Indiana Jones and the Chrystal Skull scenes.

The second major problem is: No super villains. The "Agents of SHIELD" comic had Hydra. No, a secret Internet-based maybe-enemy doesn't cut it. We're expecting a comic book here, not more of the same being done by a dozen other television shows.

The third major problem: No engaging characters, even non-super. They didn't get me to care about anyone in the program. Well, Ming-Na Wen is always lovely, but she was pretty much phoning her character in.

The Coulson character is simply not a main character. He's the non-super foil for the main characters, like Jimmy Olsen to Superman and Bucky Barnes to Captain America--or more like Snapper Carr to the Justice League.

They hinted something still secret about Coulson's return from the dead--something that seems to be known by everyone except him. But if it's something interesting (like maybe he's an android with hidden superness), they'd better trot it out tout de suit, or they're going to be canceled before they get the chance.

 

[miss-a]

Well, I hear what you're saying, but I sure hope your prognosis is incorrect. I have really enjoyed the show. I mean it's not like there's that much to choose from for t.v. Most of the stuff offered is dog poo, so in comparison, I've found this program to shine. Good, clean fun, and that's hard to come by these days. So I'm willing to hang in there and hope they get some ratings and stick around.

 

[Steve Petersen]

It might be interesting if they took the show in and X-Files ish direction.

Nick Fury showed up at then end of last week's episode.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well I knew they wouldn't have any of the already known superheroes simply because that would cost ALOT to pay them per episode. I doubt we will see any known superheroes really. Not sure yet. As for the show overall it feels...silly. Overacting when it comes to talking, fighting...etc. You can tell its a tv show and not a budget movie.

I only wanted to watch it for Coulson since I figured out the rest of the show wouldn't be as amazing. But hes kind off "meh" in it too. I'd like it to last long but because tv has some limits I doubt it will make it far. That and tv shows drag things out each season. Like this season we may learn about Coulson being back. But at the same time they will hook us with some secret weapon or hero for next season that we "must see" and the circle goes on.

If it fails it will because of that. Tv shows and movies are very different.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I have to admit of tonights episode of Shield I actually am a bit swayed now to continue to watch it. Granted there was no hero/villain (in terms of powers) per say but I did like it. And the effects weren't terrible this time. I imagine.....
(SPOILERS)
(SPOILERS)
(SPOILERS)
The guy that got sucked into the gravity thingy will become some sort of big supervillain by the end of the season going by the fact that after the commercial break there was a very quick 10 second clip that shows his hand popping out of the goo.

 

[RDKirk]

Am I the only one annoyed by that kind of teaser? "Let's do something ambiguous to make them keep watching to find out what it is."

That's not what good suspenseful plotting really is. Good suspenseful plotting actually keeps feeding you information, like stepping stones across a stream. It doesn't throw MacGuffins at the audience.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

After two episodes, they're floundering, probably to failure, because they're not getting it....

Okay so it's not my imagination. I was on board but it started getting that feel like when Heroes started slipping with the second season. The difference here is that it's happening with the second episode. I'm like where are the "superheroes" and the "villains" and isn't there supposed to be an introduction of some of them or something? That's what I thought the first episode was eluding to. That there were others who had super powers and they find these people and try and bring them into the good fold. Instead I don't know and now I'm starting to really not care. I been waiting for something since Heroes and I thought this would be it but I guess not.

 

[RDKirk]

it started getting that feel like when Heroes started slipping with the second season. The difference here is that it's happening with the second episode..

Exactly.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Yeah the lack of heroes/villains really has just made it about boring people. To be fair Marvel never said it was a superhero show strictly. SHIELD deals also with things like alien technology. Which is what the last two episodes have been about pretty much. Along with character development. Although as stated the last episode did end with a possible villain being born (if you watched it right at the end). So that does give me some hope.

I think the main thing that will hold it back is the show is focused on Skye and which side is she really on. Thats just boring. At least if it focused more on how Coulson is still alive then people would care more. We get extremely boring reminds of him being back but nothing to keep us interested lke hints (as the person above posted).

 

[miss-a]

I still think we have to factor in that we've got to grade on a curve. Compare this show with all the dog poo offered, suddenly it shines rather brightly. Good, clean fun is a dying breed. Personally, I give them two thumbs up based on that alone. And honestly, the writing is pretty good.

 

[jubileeLEE]

I thought it would be sort of like a the show 'Heroes' when it was good in the first season and we would see new heroes developing. I still like the show. The scientist makes me laugh. So I hope it lasts.

 

[RDKirk]

So far, though, they've "neutralized" (in one way or another) every person with powers they find, and it was suggested that if they don't "neutralize" them, they force them to stay hidden. That makes SHIELD much like "The Company" from Heroes. C'mon, let's not have every superhero a product of the Extremis compound.

I'd rather see SHIELD as a "find and indoctrinate...ah, nurture" kind of organization.

 

[jmer816]

I agree, the show is a bit "meh" and disappointing due to lack of actual Marvel superheroes. I'll keep watching until it gets too boring lol.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Its ok. Without Sky it cold focus more on Colson. Sky is just a bland character. I to would like to see more Marvel heroes (or villains) but from what I understand they don't plan on having many if at all because it would require more work and money then they want to put into it.

 

[desmalia]

I was just thinking about this show and thought I'd weigh in on it. Early on I completely agreed with everything that's been said here. Poor/boring character development, disappointing story lines, and no superhero type characters to make it more exciting. But after a few more episodes, they actually started developing some of the characters and it's become far more interesting. Skye is still possibly the least interesting character, but the bombshell they dropped about her origins helps with that a great deal. I think that possibly Fitz and Simmons could end up being the most interesting characters, depending on what path they are taken on over time. I never would have guessed that from the first two or three episodes.

 

[Bananagator]

I have yet to really form an opinion on this show -- which isn't exactly a good thing :/
Whenever they announced it I was like "Marvel TV show? Yes please " Lol but I haven't had any desire to keep up with it so far...
I haven't seen every episode; I lost interest around the 4th one but I've seen the most recent... three or four I think.
I still can't really get into it. The characters don't interest me much (I like Coulson but couldn't really care less about anyone else).
Idk, the characters and the show itself just feel too generic or something.

Oh, another thing that bothers me? They keep dancing around the reason that Coulson's alive. I know they weren't just going to out-right give the reason in episode one but they'll mention it in an episode, forget about it for 5, then mention it again, give a hint as to how it might've happened, introduce there being a super deep REASON why it happened, and then just not mention it again for a few episodes. I wish they'd just slowly and steadily build to it.

That being said, last week's episode was definitely one of the better ones I've seen. Hopefully it starts picking up the pace.

 

[RDKirk]

I have yet to really form an opinion on this show -- which isn't exactly a good thing :/
Whenever they announced it I was like "Marvel TV show? Yes please " Lol but I haven't had any desire to keep up with it so far...
I haven't seen every episode; I lost interest around the 4th one but I've seen the most recent... three or four I think.
I still can't really get into it. The characters don't interest me much (I like Coulson but couldn't really care less about anyone else).
Idk, the characters and the show itself just feel too generic or something.

Oh, another thing that bothers me? They keep dancing around the reason that Coulson's alive. I know they weren't just going to out-right give the reason in episode one but they'll mention it in an episode, forget about it for 5, then mention it again, give a hint as to how it might've happened, introduce there being a super deep REASON why it happened, and then just not mention it again for a few episodes. I wish they'd just slowly and steadily build to it.

That being said, last week's episode was definitely one of the better ones I've seen. Hopefully it starts picking up the pace.

True. They can't hint that something is super-important and then drop it for three episodes. Long plot arcs need to be moved ahead every episode. Nobody wants to get hit by a "tomato surprise," and the fear of a future tomato surprise will make people stop following a series.

 

[desmalia]

True. They can't hint that something is super-important and then drop it for three episodes. Long plot arcs need to be moved ahead every episode. Nobody wants to get hit by a "tomato surprise," and the fear of a future tomato surprise will make people stop following a series.

Yep, I totally agree with you guys. It's an art to weave the mystery into the story line, and that art hasn't been displayed very well so far here. But still I'm holding on to some hope because it's a Jos Whedon show (*Sigh* I still miss Fireflly) and because, being a comic book series, it has huge potential for some great story arcs. Smallville had it's low moments too, but ultimately developed over time and became a pretty solid story. Hoping for the same here. Time will tell.

 

[Bananagator]

Yep, I totally agree with you guys. It's an art to weave the mystery into the story line, and that art hasn't been displayed very well so far here. But still I'm holding on to some hope because it's a Jos Whedon show (*Sigh* I still miss Fireflly) and because, being a comic book series, it has huge potential for some great story arcs. Smallville had it's low moments too, but ultimately developed over time and became a pretty solid story. Hoping for the same here. Time will tell.

That seem promising to me too at first but Joss Whedon actually has VERY little to do with this show, as I've recently learned. I think he was involved with the pilot but that's about it :/
He shows up in the beginning credits in every episode but he really doesn't have a lot to do with it.

 

[USCGrad90]

The show has gotten a little more interesting with the last few episodes.

Dealing with the injuries to Skye and the introduction of Deathlok may push the show in a different direction, but I'm not sure that they will do the Deathlok character justice as it was presented in the comics. He used to be one of my favorites, but the one on the show is significantly different.

I am willing to give it some more time, but I hope that they resolve some of the long plot threads quickly.