Agents of SHIELD feels like it lost its spark, compared to other shows like The Flash anyways. Nobody’s really talking about SHIELD. All the attention is on The Walking Dead , Supergirl and Marvel-Netflix shows like Luke Cage and Daredevil. Well, ya’ll are missing out. It’s time to get back on the SHIELD train. Here’s why.
AGENT COULSON
Clark Gregg is the man. Coulson is one of the only characters on TV, Marvel or DC, who has strong ties to the greater cinematic universe. This season’s villain claims he’s “always in the shadows” when something alien-related is going down, and that’s kinda true. He has dipped his hands in everything important SHIELD has ever worked on in the MCU. The villain who discovered Coulson was still alive after his supposed death in Avengers had photos of him during the Thor movie, and mentioned his friendships with Tony Stark in Iron Man and close ties to Nick Fury. He’s funny, an awesome leader, loves the most badass woman around, has Kree blood, and now a robot hand. Clark Gregg is just the best. If any character is going to make it back into the movies somehow, it’s going to be him. Nick Fury already made his guest appearance on SHIELD back in Season 1.
ALL THE EASTER EGGS
This season included some important MCU connections so far, including the signing of the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War. Coulson even referenced the fact Steve Rogers is missing. He first met Captain America during The Avengers movie and hoped Cap would become the new SHIELD director after his resignation. But because of Civil War and Cap’s absence, SHIELD used the opportunity to bring in another Marvel character: The Patriot, who in the comics was inspired by Captain America.
The show had connections to Loki and Thor from The Dark World and was heavily influenced by Captain America: The Winter Soldier when SHIELD falls. While Coulson never appeared in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he enacted Theta Protocol, which helped Nick Fury and Maria Hill save the day. SHIELD also paid tribute to the legacy of Peggy Carter and the Agent Carter television series, which was cancelled a few years back.
LOW(ER) VIEWERSHIP
Sites like TV Line report Agents of SHIELD ratings are approaching concerning. Make sure to watch on demand or while it airs so we can keep this show going for even just one more season. SHIELD started off its Season 1 premiere with 12 million viewers, but has steadily declined each year since. This doesn’t mean less people love the show. Until this season, SHIELD was pulling in just as many viewers as The Flash and Gotham, and more than Arrow. In the grand scheme of things, SHIELD is pulling in around the same amount. The problem is, SHIELD’s viewership doesn’t reflect its acclaim and it’s one of the lower performing shows on ABC, whose shows perform higher overall than networks like The CW.
MATURE CHARACTERS
Unlike other series airing on television, like The Flash and Arrow, this cast is a bit older. We get wonderful actors like Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Jason O’Mara and Natalia Cordova-Buckley mixed in with the talented younger cast members. Since SHIELD spin-off Marvel’s Most Wanted didn’t work out, my fingers are crossed for the possibility that fan-favorites Bobbi and Hunter can return.
INHUMANS
SHIELD did the whole universe a favor by introducing inhumans. Now, there’s going to be another TV show about the inhuman Royal Family. It’d be a shame to miss the opportunity to run these shows run side by side and keep developing the Secret Warriors.
SHIELD HAS SO MANY STORIES
SHIELD is one of the most important organizations in Marvel comics. There are so many stories to tell and so many characters to introduce. Who ever thought a live action TV series would have Ghost Rider and introduce LMDs all in one season? This show is so distinct from superhero shows like Arrow and The Flash, Daredevil and Luke Cage --the world saving feels more grounded, impactful and mature. Agents of SHIELD may seem like it’s in a lull, but step back and look at the depth of what this series is tackling and you’ll come to realize it’s still a gem.
