EPISODE 15: "One Door Closes"
SYNOPSIS: War comes to Coulson’s doorstep in a way he never anticipated as shocking revelations are brought to light, and Skye struggles to control her new abilities but will soon make a decision that irrevocably changes her life
BREAKDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched this episode).
For the last few episodes,we have been teased with a civil war within S.H.I.E.L.D. One one side we have Robert Gonzales (Edward James Olmos) and the faction that consider themselves the Real S.H.I.E.L.D. and on the other we have Coulson and his directive handed directly over from Nick Fury himself. Where this is going to go is unknown, but the episode quickly reveals to Coulson that Bobbi and Mack are there only to retrieve Fury's vibranium toolbox and take down what they consider the fake S.H.I.E.L.D.
We also finally learn the true motives behind Gonzales' S.H.I.E.L.D. faction. It began during the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. thanks to HYDRA's actions during CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. Aboard the helicarrier Iliad, Bobbi, Mack, Gonzales, and Isabel Hartley (Lucy Lawless) are tasked with destroying the ship to prevent the enemy from gaining access. Bobbi, acting on orders from Nick Fury himself, is dissuaded by Mack and the other survivors from destroying the vessel but rather fighting to protect it.
This also comes coupled with the fear of the Enhanced humans Nick Fury had stashed around the world. Gonzales feels the true nature of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been corrupted and these secrets need to be found and taken into custody. Taking over Coulson's base, Gonzales comes face to face with Coulson and relates their true mission. He demands to know how to access Fury's toolbox, but May shows up and gets Coulson out of the base since without him there is no S.H.I.E.L.D.
Gonzales and his faction also want Skye captured as she is a risk to everyone's safety. Secure at Fury's cabin, the Bruce Banner designed Retreat, Skye is still struggling with her powers. Remotely talking to her friends, Skye is torn between using Simmons' containtment gloves when the eyeless man appears. He introduces himself as Gordon and explains to Skye there are more people like them, survivors of the Terrigen Mists, and offers her a chance to use her powers to their full potential before disappearing.
When Bobbi and a team of agents arrive to bring Skye into custody, Skye is already on her way to safety thanks to a warning call from May. As Bobbi shouts for Skye to watch out, a bullet is fired directly at her. Skye manages to focus her powers and sends a shockwave that deflects the bullet and levels the trees directly around her. Amazed at her focus but frightened at the injuries she has caused, Skye calls for Gordon who teleports her to safety at her new "home". The episode ends with Coulson at a tiki bar in a tropical setting. Hunter arrives and asks Coulson what they are going to do next.
This episode ranks as one of my favorites this season. The dueling S.H.I.E.L.D.s adds a nice level of tension to the story in a way that HYDRA has failed to do this season and also sets up not only the superhuman registration act to come in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR but adds more to the background of what the Inhumans are. There is a community of these MIst-enhanced people that we will get to glimpse well before the big screen outing in Phase Three. The action here was excellent, especially in the WINTER SOLDIER-era flashback scenes. Adrianne Palicki has quickly become a favorite of mine and I hope she sticks around for a long time to come.
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE REFERENCES: All flashbacks this week take us to the events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, referred to here as "The Day S.H.I.E.L.D. Fell". Nick Fury and the true purpose for S.H.I.E.L.D. abound. Skye finds the imprint of Hulk's fist on the wall of Nick Fury's cabin.
NEXT ON MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.:
Episode 14 "Afterlife" (Airs April 7th) – As Robert Gonzales makes his move, Coulson must do whatever it takes to protect the future of S.H.I.E.L.D. Meanwhile Skye’s journey to control her powers takes a surprising turn when she meets the enigmatic Inhuman named Lincoln.