Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 Premiere Plot Summary:
Coulson (Clark Gregg) and the gang wake up on a space station full of hostile aliens and other threats.
Marvel’s Inhumans was such a bummer that viewers everywhere were wondering when Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was coming back. Inhumans had its moments, but it was mostly mediocre. Whatever the upcoming season of S.H.I.E.L.D. was about, it had to be better than its sister show. And we could not have been more right.
After the second half of last season blew people away, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5 had a lot to live up to. So far, this season is living up to those expectations, throwing us, the audience, for quite a loop. Just idea of outer space for a show like this is kind of overwhelming. ABC has essentially buried S.H.I.E.L.D. in its weekly schedule, with being it on Friday night, but the spectacle has never been greater.
Aside from what I believe are some repurposed sets, the production design and CGI are sublime, truly making the environment foreign. On top of that, “Orientation” is the best title for this premiere, because it presents a mystery and then slowly pieces things together. It introduces us to a whole new society of characters, such as Deke (Jeff Ward) and Tess (Eve Harlow). In addition, the Kree return and it’s already their best storyline, by far. Ronan was the weak link in Guardians of the Galaxy, but his brethren are truly menacing here.
Even though this strange setting is quite dark and gloomy, with the Kree and other ravenous aliens trying to kill our heroes, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. knows not to take itself 100 percent seriously. Some moviegoers complain that the Marvel Cinematic Universe focuses so much on humor that its movies feel like comedies, but S.H.I.E.L.D. uses humor to add some much needed levity. It’s nice to have a breather every once and a while, even if it’s just minor.
If I have any criticism, it’s that the show sets up a lot of plot elements and it has to follow through with them without being convoluted and inconsistent. But that’s not really a fault. It’s more of an observation. I don’t want to get too much into the story, for the sake of people who might be on the fence.
If you’re on the fence, I implore you to watch this premiere. You won’t be on it after you do.
