TV Review: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2 Episode 4

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 4: "Face My Enemy"

SYNOPSIS:  While on a mission to learn more about the secrets of the mysterious writing, Coulson finds himself attacked by the only person he can trust: Agent Melinda May. Meanwhile the rest of the team is trapped in an explosive situation, and it's up to Fitz to save them–but is he up to it?

BREAKDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched this episode).

Welcome to Miami!  Tonight's episode opens with a group of priests investigating a terrible accident that destroyed a church where the only item not damaged is a 15th century painting of Mary and Jesus.  On the back of the painting we see the same symbols Coulson had been etching into the wall two episodes back.  We next see Hunter and Skye running an undercover operation to obtain access to an exclusive dinner party.  It is here we see Coulson and May in their best WASP outfits.  Ming Na looks damn sexy and Coulson has an open collar down to his navel, so you know they are undercover as Heidi and Charles Martini.  Their mission is to get the painting from the opening scene.

Launching right into an op to start an episode is a nice choice, something that breaks the formula we have seen from last season.  May and Coulson dancing brings some nice levity to the characters, something lacking in the season so far.  Seeing May forced out of her stoic mode is a nice touch.  The reference to the S.H.I.E.L.D. dance elective was a nice one.  May forces the discussion about Coulson's symptoms and his hand tremors, but Coulson declines and wants to discuss what the plan will be if he goes the way of Garrett.  Then, the two spot General Talbot and know the mission will not be as easy as planned.

Coulson takes the direct option and confronts Talbot.  The two exchange some forced pleasantries and Coulson determines they need to steal the painting now.  Posing with the house's owner, they scan his retinas.  Breaking into the secure basement, Coulson and May encounter a laser grid.  As Coulson prepares to sneak in, May just walks through it saying they know they are there.  There is no painting and they find that Talbot took possession of the painting that morning.  We then see Talbot communicating with Dr. Whitehall, revealing himself as a HYDRA accomplice.

May and Coulson, trapped on the grounds, try to escape only to be confronted by Talbot.  He offers Coulson the chance to examine the painting within a government facility and Coulson takes the deal.  Coulson and May both realize that Talbot is playing them and they prepare for the meet in one hour.  The rest of the team sits back and chats about exes leaving Fitz to imagine Simmons again.  At the General's hotel, May sees Agent 33 with HYDRA folders and Talbot behind them.  We then see that it is not actually Talbot but Whitehall's aide, Mr. Bakshi, in disguise.  They tase May and dress up Agent 33 as her for the meet with Coulson.

Fitz has a conversation with Imagi-Simmons about his lack of value in the team.  He complains he shares nothing in common with them, that they converted his lab to a garage, and than even turncoat Ward is more valuable than he is.  Agent 33 arrives as May and she pulls Coulson from the team to discuss Talbot's offer.  As they leave, she plants a device to gain access to the S.H.I.E.L.D. systems.  As May comes to, Bakshi interrogates May and asks her who is running S.H.I.E.L.D. now and where they are based.  He then threatens her with the same brainwashing as Agent 33.  Coulson talks to 33 in the car about the contingency plan and asks is she will be able to do what has to be done.  She takes his hand which appears to be the signal Coulson needs to know it is not May.

Back on The Bus, the device 33 implanted begins to shut down the plane.  At the hotel, Coulson asks 33 if she wants to get a cup of coffee after this is all done.  When she agrees, he punches her in the face saying May hates coffee.  May breaks free and attacks Bakshi.  The team meanwhile tries to stop the virus infiltrating The Bus.  May comes out of the room as Coulson fights 33 and thus begins the fight between evening dress May/33 and sexy lingerie May.  This is awesome.  Fitz uses Hunter to try and save the plane before it explodes, giving him purpose again.  May and Coulson narrowly escape with the painting as HYDRA forces arrive.

Hunter brings Fitz in for a celebratory beer to which he finally agrees, seeing Imagi-Simmons disappear.  Skye continues her research into the painting.  Coulson calls Talbot to tell him about the impostors and says the painting was destroyed.  May and Coulson discuss the painting and refer to the writing on the back as alien.  The painting is truly 500 years old but the writing is new, meaning someone else shares the visions Coulson has been having.  May also concedes she has a plan if Coulson goes bad but she will never kill him, only relocate him to a remote destination.  Coulson says he appreciates the nostalgia, but demands that she kill him when the time comes.

For the stinger scene, we see Reina heading to Miami while looking at a newspaper story about the painting.  Suddenly, her car is full of HYDRA agents and Dr. Whitehall introduces himself, looking for the obelisk.  He attaches a device to her hand that will kill her within 48 hours if she doesn't return the item to him.

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE REFERENCES:

None, for the second episode in a row.

BEST LINE:

"This is fun!  Isn't this fun?  Look: cufflinks!" – Coulson

COOLEST SCENE:

The May on May fight scene was incredibly well executed and one of the best Marvel fight scenes we have seen on big or small screens.  Very well done and Ming Na will be responsible for countless fanboy boners after this episode.

DO WE (REALLY) KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO COULSON YET?  OR WHAT SKYE'S ABILITIES ARE?

Nothing new, but we now have the first official reference to the symbols as being alien.  We also know Coulson plans for May to execute him sooner rather than later if things keep up with his tremors.

EPISODE CLEARANCE LEVEL: 8/10

Not bad that we have two episodes in a row without a direct MCU reference as it proves the series can stand on its own without making Tony Stark or Captain America references.  If this episode had been any other series on network television, people would be applauding the action, pacing, and overall writing.  AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. has proven itself solid this season for the fourth time in a row.  It seems Skye and Ward have been pushed to the background while instead focusing on the team dynamic and Coulson's mystery which is exactly what they should have done from the pilot on.  Melinda May has once again proven she is one of the more interesting characters on the show.  A good episode and solid run for the series.  Can they go for five in a row?

NEXT ON MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.:

Episode 5 "A Hen in the Wolf House" – Coulson's team is up against the beautiful and deadly Bobbi Morse–Security Chief for Hydra. Meanwhile, Skye's father forces Raina to reunite him with his daughter at any cost

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