‘Inescapable‘ Plot Summary
Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) must work together to escape the mind prison constructed by the Chronicoms.
Fitz and Simmons have had a complicated over the course of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. That’s no secret. Still, it hasn’t been a true example of “Will they, won’t they?” They’ve been together for a while now. The show just has a penchant for interrupting their romance.
There comes a point where a show has to stop playing games with a couple. For Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. it was arguably last season. Leo and Jemma working out their relationship issues has become stale. Their problems should have concluded with Fitz coming to terms with his inner darkness. But Fitz dying at the end of last season has the show trudging up old plot points. He should have never died in the first place.
The episode is admittedly creative with some of the situations that it puts Fitz and Simmons in. It’s a reminder of how painfully dorky Fitz was early in the show’s run. Thank goodness he grew out of that. The scene in which Simmons tells Fitz about his death is also appropriately traumatic for both of them.
The reappearance of Fitz’s evil alter ego unfortunately doesn’t pack the punch that his reemergence last season did. In fact, he becomes more of a joke by the end of the episode. I think the series has wrung Evil Fitz dry. There’s nothing left to explore.
This week’s episode does end on an encouraging note, with Fitz and Simmons escaping with Enoch (Joel Stoffer). Enoch officially betrays the Chronicoms, which puts him in an interesting predicament going forward. I suspect he might be of some help to the team on Earth. No doubt Fitz and Simmons will.
I’m sure there are many, many fans who loved this episode. I’m willing to bet that I’m in the minority of those who didn’t. But I’m not much for cutesy romance and silly shenanigans. While I don’t want to show to go full grimdark, I do feel the show has been its best when it’s been more serious. While occasional levity is good, it feels as if this season is using comedy as a way to elongate episodes. We still have half a season left. Things could change. Only time will tell if this is ultimately the direction of the show now.
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Average)
