'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Recap: A Death, a Betrayal, and the Destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Warning: This recap for the “The Team” episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. contains spoilers.
Hive’s influence leads to a stunning betrayal and the break-up of the Secret Warriors after only a single mission. That, combined with the foretold death of Gideon Malick makes for an intense episode that starts in triumph and ends in tragedy.
The Plot
Daisy and Lincoln collect Joey and Yo-Yo from Miami and Columbia while the rest of the team barricade themselves in the hijacked Zephyr deep within a Hydra base. The Secret Warriors blow through a wall and make their way to the plane. Along the way, they take out Inhumans Giyera and Lucio (the latter, permanently) and capture Malick.
Coulson interrogates Malick and discovers that at least one of the Secret Warriors has been compromised by Hive/Ward. He tries to quarantine the Inhumans, but they run. They think Lincoln is the mole, but it turns out Hive infected Daisy two episodes ago. She leaves with the Kree artifact, destroying much of the S.H.I.E.L.D. base on her way out.
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The Betrayal
Director Elodie Keene has three Emmys under her belt, so she knows how to ratchet up the tension on a classic paranoia tale. One of the four team members is a mole and they don’t even know it. The twist of Daisy being infected, not Lincoln, feels earned; particularly since Skyeward is back on again — although, maybe it should now be called Hivesy? Agents has done an especially good job this year with making at least one scene per episode really pop — whether it’s by adopting a completely different visual style or even a different genre. Who expects The Thing to show up in an action show like this?
The team isn’t fully formed yet, so it was easy to split them up. The contempt with which Yo-Yo says, “Aren’t you a spy? Learn Spanish,” or the way Daisy calls Lincoln “Sparky” — it’s actually pretty fun to watch them fall apart. The question is, how do they get back together now that Daisy is under Hive’s control and any of them could conceivably be taken over at any time?
Hive
At this point, his powers seem pretty clear and it seems completely reasonable that his ability to turn any Inhuman into a willing pawn, knowingly or unknowingly, would be enough to lay waste to an entire planet. So what will it take to bring him down? He’s afraid of Transia’s research into swarm behavior. He’s also afraid of the Kree artifact (another portal, maybe?). There’s that talk about Inhumans finding a balance — is either Daisy or Lash the anti-Hive? And will S.H.I.E.L.D. be able to take him out completely or might he be the link to the Inhumans movie that finally gets these TV faces onto the big screen?
Powers
Powers Boothe as Gideon Malick has had a lot of fun chewing scenery this season as a Hydra leader, but the grounded emotion he brings to the table in this episode is enough to rattle your molars. In lesser hands, the story of his daughter’s Arabian horse would come off as a bit too writerly, too This American Life. But he infuses it with a genuine sense of loss and betrayal. And when he says, “It is a god — it’s just not ours,” it’s terrifying in a way that tentacles and skinless bodies haven’t yet been able to do.
He’s so good, in fact, that it points to a missed opportunity for the show. Gideon Malick has only had the vision of his death for two episodes. If they had foreshadowed that like they did with the shuttle vision starting in episode 11 and let the actor play with that inevitability, Malick’s death could have been as big as Coulson’s. Agents of Hydra spinoff, anybody?
S.H.I.E.L.D.ed Thoughts
* Line of the Night: “Excuse us! Nothing to worry about.” Fitz and Simmons cooly, yet desperately, rolling Lucio’s body to quarantine is some great physical comedy.
* Hey, Hannibal fans! Missing your favorite show featuring faces getting peeled off and skulls being cracked open with a mallet? You’re in luck! S.H.I.E.L.D. is dissecting Inhumans right here in primetime!
* “My name is Elena.” Perhaps nothing was so heartbreaking this episode as seeing Yo-Yo and Mack torn apart by suspicion — if for no other reason than their ship name already having a dance associated with it. Heeeeey, Mackelena!
*At this point, Fitz and Simmons have waited so long, not even an earthquake should prevent them from sealing the deal. Eyes on the prize, you two!
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.
