Where in the Universe is Jemma Simmons? That’s what Fitz intends to find out in this week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Be honest. You were on the edge of your seat for this.
(Screencap courtesy of: www.ctv.ca)
Previously On… In Two Sentences
Where’s Simmons? No, seriously, where the hell is she?
Recap (Full Spoilers)
If there’s something that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. truly excels in, it’s the display of character relationships and how said concepts inform and build upon each of the show’s main characters. In this case, the platonic friendship of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s science duo of Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons, which has been thru a lot of hell over two seasons. Their bond has survived a near-death experience miles below underwater, traumatic brain damage for Fitz, and even a strain caused by time apart. So it’s nothing that a mysterious Monolith that swallows people can’t break, right?
“Purpose in the Machine” picks up where we left off last week, with Simmons trapped in an unknown blue-hued planet, and Fitz desperately getting the Monolith that swallowed up her friend to do something. Fortunately, his crazed determination pays off when grains of sand end up being found near the Monolith. This gives them a lead that brings them right to Professor Elliot Randolph, that Asgardian man we saw way back in the first season’s loose tie-in to Thor: The Dark World. And yes, he does know more about the Monolith and its ancient origins. Thus begins a trip to England and the road to rescuing Simmons.
While the main story of the search for Inhumans and the ATCU largely takes a backseat for this week, the show does takes its first steps in building up the new Hydra – fronted by a very vengeful Grant Ward. This newer, “leaner” Hydra has him hunting down a privileged young man, who we later learn is a Werner von Strucker, son of the Baron from Avengers: Age of Ultron. Thru a promise of power (and tacos, which appears to be the official Hydra delicacy), Ward hopes to sway Werner into his influence. By introducing a potentially major character in Werner, the show has opened the door for the new Hydra to be a more formidable threat for Team Coulson, and I’m excited to see where this goes from here on out.
Remember when Coulson told Fitz last week about May taking off and “never coming back”? Turns out that she’s in Hawaii taking part in a little kumbaya with papa for the time being. Building upon the latter half of Season 2, where the layers behind what makes The Cavalry tick were opened up, we’re given more insight into what really drives her. While she initially left S.H.I.E.L.D. to have some sort of normalcy to her life, it seems that she just can’t escape it at all. And by the end of the episode, it appears she’s back into old habits, opting to join Hunter in his manhunt for Ward.
In the end, however, “Purpose in the Machine” is truly about both Fitz and Simmons, and it’s no surprise that the episode’s climax – featuring a tense rescue mission to bring Jemma back from the mystery planet of blue – provides some of the best drama S.H.I.E.L.D. has ever provided. Team Coulson’s collaborative effort to rescue Simmons is arguably the best scene of the episode, giving us doubt that their mission to save a friend would end successfully, and finally delivering a most satisfying payoff when it does end happily. It’s a legitimately intense scene that instills the right kind of drama that proves that not everything needs violent action to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The show’s next-to-final scene (not counting the post-S.H.I.E.L.D. symbol scene) is an appropriately quiet and dialogue-less one, showcasing that the bonds between the two collectively known as Fitz-Simmons will never truly be broken.
Yes, there’s still a lot of questions of whether Simmons is truly okay and just where the hell she was whisked away to by the Monolith, but for now, retrieving her and bringing her home is a victory that Team Coulson – and especially Fitz – can relish in.
Miscellanea
- During Ward’s attempt to recruit Werner, they discuss how the latter’s father died a “meaningless death”, which seems like a very winking way to address how Baron von Strucker was unceremoniously killed off-screen in Age of Ultron.
- Randolph’s remark to Coulson when asked about Daisy’s Inhuman heritage might suggest that he knows a lot more, and could be something that can be easily picked up later on.
- “Normally, Asgardians can hold our drinks. But I tried to hold… all the drinks.”
- Coulson: “See, this is why I had the S.H.I.E.L.D. logos removed. It’s like you’re screaming for attention.” Morse: “Sir, we have a giant eagle symbol on top of our jet.” Coulson: “Yeah, I know. Sometimes, I just can’t help myself with the cool.”
- “Fitz, you absolute beauty! Come on, beers? Let’s get beers! Come on, May. Smile for once in your life…”
- I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Dubsmash Wars going on between the casts of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter. The basic gist of this is that it’s a charity “competition” where the respective casts perform dubbed songs and fans vote on who did it better. This website has more information on how you can vote and donate to a very worthy cause.
- The opening flashback to 1839 England is a very stylistic choice that does help build upon what the main thrust of the episode is about.
- I love Mack still committing to calling Daisy “Tremors”.
- Lastly, I have to commend the very inspired casting of James Hong as May’s father, William. It’s a great choice.
Next Week
It’s a return to the main Inhuman story with both S.H.I.E.L.D. and A.T.C.U. on the lookout for Lincoln, who ran off after the events of the season premiere.
Marc Quill just happens to cover shows aired on Tuesdays at 9/8 on ABC that are also based on Marvel Comics. He’s also very Canadian. You can reach him on Twitter @MarcQuill.