Luke Kalamar – Marvel’s Agent Carter
Over the course of eight episodes, Marvel’s Agent Carter accomplished what Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. did not for several months. It found a distinct identity and developed a microscopic focus that drove the first season to an incredible inclusion. There were no cases of the week that repeatedly dwindled S.H.I.E.L.D.’s viewer numbers. This, of course, stemmed from the limited window Agent Carter had to tell its story. Absolutely no time could be wasted with fluff pieces. While this did have the unfortunate drawback of some logical leaps and occasional cluttering, the narrative was able to maintain a tightness that kept viewer interest.
It was clear a lot of passionate work came into crafting this show, which makes sense because it has an inherently hard sell. 60 years separate Agent Carter from everything else in the Cinematic Universe, The First Avenger notwithstanding obviously. There was no promise of a deep connection that actually handicapped S.H.I.E.L.D. in the beginning (it just could not get passed The Avengers). This meant that the show had to justify its existence on its own terms. The cast had to be engaging, the 1940s setting needed to look believable, and the action required proper excitement. Providing a tangible connection beyond The First Avenger was a must too. Otherwise that film would be like The Avengers, a looming shadow that can’t get shaken.
To say that Agent Carter succeeded in this is an understatement. On a purely visual level, post-World War II society came across beautifully. Naturally a lot of work went into the set design, with the only noticeable falter being the green screen flubs of “The Iron Ceiling.” It didn’t matter if you were inside the Strategic Scientific Reserve (S.S.R.), exploring the streets of New York, or watching Carter (Hayley Atwell) grab a meal at the Automat. If all felt real. The costumes were nothing to shrug off either. Everyone was decked out in the perfect garb, especially Carter who stood out with her frequently bright attire. The early shot with her wearing red and blue walking in a sea of gray was clearly intentional.
Obviously, none of this show could have worked without its cast. The undeniable star was the titular heroine Peggy Carter and she was the absolute best. Atwell truly is a golden find and giving her a show to lead was a brilliant decision. She has just owned this role, elevating it from Captain America’s love interest to a hero that can give everyone else a run for their money. It didn’t matter if Carter was delivering jokes, getting deeply emotional, or gunning down ruthless enemies either. I never felt unengaged with Carter was on screen. That alone spells success.
But then you have a killer supporting cast that quickly evolved in a believable fashion. The S.S.R. agents, previously introduced as sexist assholes, grew to become people we actually cared about. Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray) suffered from PTSD. Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj) refused to let his handicap define his worth. Roger Dooley (Shea Whigham), who definitely drew the short straw character wise, still had one emotional exit.
As for non-S.S.R. characters, Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy), Angie Martinelli (Lyndsy Fonseca), Dottie Underwood (Bridget Regan), and Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) all fit their roles perfectly. The relationship between Jarvis and Carter was one of the best parts of the show. It was beautifully three dimensional and didn’t have a stupid love angle. Angie, despite receiving less attention, played the vastly important role of Carter’s anchor to normal life. Dottie brought the Black Widows into the fold in expert fashion and became the ultimate antagonistic foil to Carter. As expected, Stark was the charismatic wonder we first saw on film, and he received some necessary development too.
The fact that this show hasn’t been given a second season still baffles me, but its undeniable benefits nearly guarantee a strong future. This is that pwoerful female lead show many networks and viewers desperately want. Carter gleefully smashes the patriarchy and it’s just a blast to watch. There’s also the role this show can play within the Cinematic Universe as a whole. Focusing on the Black Widow program is only the beginning. I’m very excited to follow this show for as long as its on TV. Hopefully the magic can come back year after year.
Check out Luke Kalamar’s weekly review of Marvel’s Agent Carter.
[php] wp_link_pages(array(‘before’=>’
‘)); [/php]
============================================================================================================================================
