Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S1E6 Review, “FZZT”

IAIN DE CAESTECKER, ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE

My daughter is sixteen months old.  We watch Sofia the First.  We watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  We binge watch Yo Gabba Gabba.  She doesn’t quite know what’s going on all the time, but she knows what she likes, and she isn’t shy about demanding more of it.

Coincidentally (or not coincidentally?) the same global conglomerate that produces her favorite show, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, also produces Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD.  Having recently watched countless hours of TMMC, the similarities between the two shows are striking.  Mickey and Coulson, the fearless leaders.  Donald Duck and Agent Tough Guy, the loose cannons.  Minnie and Skye, the sexy, troubled supporting females. I’ve watched A LOT of TMMC.  I feel like I have the formula down:

  1. Musical Open!
  2. Introduce Characters
  3. Introduce Dilemma
  4. Quest!
  5. Solve Dilemma (audience participation is encouraged!)
  6. Musical Close!

Other than the musical open and close, I see little to no difference between this and SHIELD.  And several of the Mickey episodes have been pretty damn fun.  Pete, is he a good guy, or a bad guy?  Depends on the episode!  Will we see Huey, Dewey, and Luey?!?  You’ll have to wait and see!  There’s even a robot that always comes through with just the right items and technology to make sure that Mickey and pals will be able to fix whatever problem they’re dealing with.  OHHHHHHHHH TOOOOOOOOOODLEESSSSSSSSSS!!!  So obviously the way to resurrected the listless and spiraling SHIELD is…to introduce a musical element!  And maybe have characters constantly breaking the 4th wall to ask the audience, “how would you solve the problem?!?!?  ALLLLLL RIGHT!!!!”

Shenanigans aside, this episode actually had some flashes of emotion, and may have been the best yet.  But that’s an extremely low bar to clear at this point, and I have little hope that SHIELD will ever be more than a vehicle whose sole purpose is to remind Marvel movie fans that there probably will be another Marvel movie coming out in the next 3-6 months. The lone highlights are definitely the two nerdy scientists, and I actually cared this week when their lives were in jeopardy.  I don’t think I’d bat an eye if any of the other cast members died, but those two do seem to strike a chord with my inner nerd, and I’m glad that neither of the perished.

However, we still have a villain-less episode, with no connection to any over-arching storyline, very few ties to the Marvel Universe, and no real long-term plans for any of the characters.  It really is a show for children and simpletons, and since it’s not a show for children, or simpletons, isn’t The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse doing a better job?  And therefore, isn’t it a better show?

4/10

  • http://screensnark.com/ Cameron

    I don’t think I’ll ever be able to invest in the characters Skye and agent Ward. They just aren’t memorable, I had to look up their character names just now even and I’ve been watching since the beginning. They’re both so bland, even after attempts at endearing them to the audience i.e. mentioning The Big Lebowski. Considering they’re the two main characters on the show, besides arguably Coulson who is good, I don’t see myself warming up to this program. Which is a shame because it is a promising platform to feature more of the extended comic universe. Maybe we’ll get better material with the new Netflix deal. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2013/11/07/marvel-netflix-superhero-series/3469777/ In fact, I’m sure we will.

  • noman

    I had low to no expectations from this show, so it doesn’t bother me as bad as it does some. I’m not a comic fan either. I wonder why I watch this?