“The Real Deal” Plot Summary:
Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) must face his greatest fear and stop a dimensional rift created by the destruction of the bunker’s monoliths.
We’re finally here, the 100th episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I had my doubts this day would ever come, given the series’ less than stellar ratings. But even though Marvel Studios has treated the series like a parent’s least favorite child, Disney demanded ABC give the show a fifth season. It’s a testament to how good last season was.
While there’s a lot to love in this week’s episode, I will admit much of it comes off as contrived. There’s a dimensional rift that reveals our heroes’ greatest fears, thereby creating a convenient stroll down memory lane? Sure, whatever. I’ll forgive the show for setup because of what that setup leads to.
The first big emotional moment is when Coulson reveals to the team the deal he made with the Spirit of Vengeance in last season’s finale. Coulson’s fatal wound from The Avengers is killing him again and he doesn’t plan on cheating death a second time. The truth devastates Daisy (Chloe Bennet) the most and we get a wonderful scene between her and Coulson. It makes sense with her being the second most important member of the team and Coulson’s surrogate daughter that he’d want her to lead.
The episode’s best scenes, however, come when Coulson goes to close the rift and confronts an imaginary version of Mike Peterson (J. August Richards). The fake Peterson tries to convince Coulson that he’s on the operating table and that all of his experiences during the series are caused by shocks of electricity to his brain. While I kept waiting for Coulson to shoot fake Mike mid-sentence, it’s understandable that he would wait and listen to his greatest fear. And even though Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. would never have the gall to dismiss itself as a dream, it would add up.
After the real Mike, AKA Deathlok, saves Coulson and they close the rift, we get arguably the weakest part of the episode, the wedding. Saying that is sure to anger fans of Leo (Iain De Caestecker) and Jemma (Elizabeth Henstridge), but hear me out. When did they decide they were going to get married? Did they decide when they learned Coulson was dying? Did Deke (Jeff Ward) venture outside to get backup or invite guests? It’s unclear. Speaking of Deke, it’s cool and all that he’s their grandson, but does it really change anything going forward? I guess it be sadder if he died now.
Nitpicking aside, it’s pretty easy to look past the contrived nature of this week’s episode and appreciate it as a fitting 100th installment of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. And now that we know Coulson’s clock is ticking, there’s added tension and anticipation.
