Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Blog 1.1 Pilot

Writers: Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen,

Director: Joss Whedon

Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, J. August Richards, Ron Glass, Cobie Smulders,

Synopsis: After the events in New York, as detailed in THE AVENGERS, the world has changed. One thing that hasn’t changed is the job of the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Grant Ward (Dalton) finds himself entered into Level 7 of the organisation, which reveals the living Agent Coulson (Gregg) and his team that is out to register and interact with all the super powered beings Earth has to offer.

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. was announced very shortly after the gigantic success of THE AVENGERS/AVENGERS ASEMBLE. The idea of a show that follows the daily workings of the shady government agency was certainly an attractive one. After all, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) announced at the end of IRON MAN way back in 2008 that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) wasn’t the only super hero making the rounds. Anticipation of the show also grew when it was revealed that Joss Whedon would have a creative hand in the formation of the show. For this pilot episode Whedon co-writes and directs, which certainly keeps a similar feel to the blockbusting Marvel franchise despite a lower budget. It’s no surprise considering Whedon’s past with Buffy The Vampire and Firefly, that he feels comfortable on the small screen.

Even though hype is high for the show; which broke viewing figure records in the US, it will also have the more pessimistic viewers wondering how such a huge franchise will transfer to TV. Things went in the opposite direction for Buffy and Firefly, and even though a Marvel universe set show is exciting stuff, will a team of humans be a suitable replacement for the likes of IRON MAN, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, THOR, and CAPTAIN AMERICA? Although this first episode is a fun and thrilling addition to Friday night viewing, there are a few elements of the show that disappoint.

But let’s start with the good. The show is obviously being set up as both a ‘monster of the week’ show, in which the agents will track down a new super powered being each week, while also dealing with the formation of the team. The pilot episode also hints at more interesting themes, but only in dialogue form, as some of the characters talk about how the world as we knew it ended after the battle of New York. This mixture will allow the show to grow, while enticing new viewers in week after week. The return of Agent Coulson is very welcome, especially after his re-entry in which he jokingly steps from the darkness. Although his return is handled with quickly, it is also hinted at that his re-existence has a darker mystery behind it that Coulson himself doesn’t know about. This will obviously be a huge underlying plot thread that has ‘Season finale cliff-hanger’ written all over it.

The plot this week, aside from focusing on introductions, sees a father who has super strength trying to make his way through life. He rescues a woman from a burning building and soon finds himself trying to avoid the spotlight. It’s a simple story for the first episode, and simply reminds us that we are in a world of superpowers. It soon develops into having huge links with IRON MAN 3, and despite the absence of the big heroes, the references serve as a stark reminder as to the world in which these events take place.

Unfortunately, and this may rub some people up the wrong way, but the biggest problem was the writing. Whedon has imprinted his familiar stamp to such an extent that all the characters feel the same. Granted this is the first time we are meeting these characters, but nearly the entire team speaks with the quippy, pop-culture filled references that we’ve come to expect. The lines, although often funny and bad-ass, also sound as though they are coming from the same person. The only character who avoids this is Melinda May (Wen) who thankfully remains stoic and poised. Other than May and Coulson, the younger cast aren’t exactly interesting. There’s the cute British couple that reference Harry Potter, a new recruit who has the looks of a leading man but not the charisma, and the typical spunky heroine with attitude.

Without the name Marvel slapped across its title, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. would be a fairly average pilot that would have some viewers coming back for more, but would also suffer a dip in viewing figures come episode 2. With plenty of references to keep the fans happy (that includes me), and enough action to make boredom feel very unwelcome, this is a show that has plenty of growth left in it. The younger members of the cast may not exactly be begging for deep development right now, but it will certainly need to come later if the show wants to survive. After all, we’ll only wait so long in anticipation of the big star cameos, but riveting and emotional stories will keep us coming back again and again.

Best Bit: The return of Agent Coulson is no nonsense and to the point, but it does hint at a darker truth that is intriguing, but could also become convoluted and unnecessary. But he also has a cool old car that flies.

 Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. hits Channel 4 every Friday at 8pm.