It’s been quite a while since we last saw Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ten months ago. The world was a very different place a year ago. So, in some way it’s appropriate Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 premiere showcases how things were even more different eighty-nine years ago. But before we get into that, a little recap is in order.Â
Last season our heroes defeated an alien that looked just like Coulson (Clark Gregg, The Avengers). However, Agent May (Ming-Na Wen, The Mandalorian) suffered a grave injury in the process. Meanwhile, androids known as Chronicoms initiated their plan to take over the Earth. In order to save the planet, the agents went back in time. Assisting them is an advanced LMD uploaded with Coulson’s consciousness.Â
Bringing back Gregg for a second time is an odd choice for the show. The LMD immediately has identity issues, similar to those Sarge suffered from last season. However, he gets a grip on things much faster. Part of me wonders whether the writers should have killed off Coulson in the first place. His impending death was an emotional highlight at the end of Season 5, but the show really didn’t want to do away with Clark Gregg. If the point of last season was to explore the characters getting over his death, I would at least understand. But replacing Sarge with the LMD essentially punts that plot element as well.
The Coulson LMD is at least useful. He has Coulson’s encyclopedic knowledge, plus maybe a little extra. Which brings us to the setting. In theory, the 1931 setting should be really fun. In reality, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. While the costuming and set design is well done, there’s something sort of lifeless about it. I think part of it has to do with the color grading, which makes the picture so dark and cold you would wonder if light even existed back then. I understand it’s for dramatic effect, but I would have appreciated a little more warmth.=
The 1931 setting is a chance to provide some mild commentary on the time period. Beyond the hindsight that Prohibition seems like a ludicrous idea now, this setting also allows the show to address the racism and sexism prevalent at the time. My guess is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is trying to accomplish a few things here. It’s trying to be thorough while also cautioning viewers against getting too wrapped up in nostalgia for a period wherein they didn’t live. There are a couple moments where our heroes push back at this ignorance. That’ll make some fans cheer, at least.Â
One of the interesting plot points of the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 premiere is that agents have to protect Franklin Roosevelt (Joseph Culp, Mad Men) before he was President of the United States, though the show doesn’t get too crazy with it, since the characters are supposed to maintain the timeline. The big twist, of course, is the gang has to save HYDRA to save S.H.I.E.L.D. It’s unfortunate that the promos spoiled it, but I suppose you have to draw people in somehow.Â
The final season is underway, and it really could go many places. Let’s hope the show has some good twists in store.Â
