Just like last time, we’ll be going through every episode of Agents of SHIELD Season Two in this article, rating each episode and the season as a whole. Let’s begin!
Episode 1 – Shadows
The Agents of SHIELD, now working primarily in the shadows due to being seen as a government enemy, continue the fight against the remnants of HYDRA.
This is a fast-paced solid opener, and definitely a good episode. I feel like it stumbles a little bit trying to cram just a bit too much information down the viewers throat, but you can’t fault it for setting up the plot beats for the majority of the rest of the season. A mysterious obelisk, a seemingly ageless HYDRA leader, Ward in custody, and the introduction of one of the funniest characters in the show, Hunter. A solid premier, to say nothing of the reveal of Fitz’s hallucination of Simmons.
Rating: 8
Episode 2 – Heavy is the Head
Wrapping up the failed mission from the premier, the agents cope with their loses and strategize a way to claim the strange obelisk, fight off the superpowered threat, and outsmart the military.
If the first episode was packed with content, this episode might be even more so. At least it’s the second half of the premier, and thus still wraps up the central plot of this season’s beginning well enough. Raina makes her reappearance into the story, Hunter officially joins the team by the episode’s end, Skye’s dad has his first true introduction (though obviously still one shrouded in mystery), and the team members demonstrate how their dynamics have shifted since the first season ended. Another solid episode.
Rating: 8
Episode 3 – Making Friends and Influencing People
An old friend turns up as a new enemy, and the agents rely on Simmons, who has infiltrated HYDRA, to get them what they need to take action and save lives.
Another episode that manages to both tell a self-contained story and also advance the overarching narrative of the season (something I wanted from season one). Loose threads from the previous season are reintroduced and tied-up, Simmons gets her own story arc about infiltrating HYDRA, Skye is being trained to defend herself and fight back, and the brutal HYDRA brainwashing technique is introduced in a harrowing scene with the pitiable Agent 33 (and this brainwashing will return many, many times). There’s also an incredible scene with Fitz and Ward, seemingly just to rub it in how astounding Iain De Caestecker is as an actor, and other great scene with Skye and Ward.
Rating: 9
Episode 4 – Face My Enemy
The brainwashed Agent 33 is put to terrifying use by HYDRA, as she abducts and replaces May, and also triggers a virus that might blow up the Bus with all of the agents on it.
I promise that this episode is just good and really entertaining in general, but it goes without saying that the episode certainly earns bonus points for having the May-vs-May fight, one of the best action scenes in the entire show. But, on top of that, there’s still several other good tense scenes, some back-and-forth conversations I enjoy with characters like Fitz, Hunter, and Talbot, an actually relaxing happy conclusion to the team’s story for the week, and a little tease of things to come. Another solid season two installment.
Rating: 9
Episode 5 – A Hen in the Wolf House
Simmons facade within HYDRA finally falls apart, forcing a rapid rescue. Skye’s father and the nefarious Doctor Whitehall team up.
Compared to the previous episodes, there’s certainly a lot less whirlwind plot developments, and more of a focus on building character intrigue. It isn’t devoid of action (we’re finally introduced to Bobbi in a great bit of tense fighting and chasing), but a lot more emphasis is put on the nature of the strange obelisk, the true intentions of Skye’s father and HYDRA, what the weird sigil-like drawings are that have been plaguing Coulson’s dreams, and exactly what game Raina is trying to play with all sides. A more subdued, but still great, episode.
Rating: 8.5
Episode 6 – A Fractured House
Simmons and Bobbi’s return to the main team doesn’t go over well with everyone, and SHIELD is framed by HYDRA for a terrorist attack. Skye asks Ward for answers, while Coulson goes after Ward’s politician brother.
Building off of the slower and more character-focused foundations of the previous episode, this installment follows in the same footsteps. It wouldn’t be Agents of SHIELD without a bit of action here and there, but this episode is mostly pushed forward by some great interactions between Skye and Ward, and Coulson and Ward’s brother. Simmons and Fitz have some upsetting but realistic growing pains adapting to their new dynamic, and there’s an excellent scene of Ward slipping out of his restraints by dislocating his thumb, finally breaking out of SHIELD custody.
Rating: 8.5
Episode 7 – The Writing on the Wall
Ward is on the run, and the agents are in hot pursuit. At the same time, the mystery of the strange writing finally comes to a head.
Brett Dalton back in full action, baby! Though Ward’s involvement in the plot as a prisoner in the previous episodes was continually interesting, seeing him back in action is as fun as ever, especially as he continues to be surprising in his actions (like leaving a HYDRA toadie tied up as a present for Coulson). Suffice to say, all of his scenes in this episode are great, as are the ones where Coulson gets all of his buried TAHITI memories back, and he and Skye realize that the strange drawings are actually a map to a lost ancient city. Exciting plot developments AND Ward action? Sign me up!
Rating: 9
Episode 8 – The Things We Bury
As the Agents race to find the ancient city, Ward enacts revenge on his politician brother, and information about Whitehall’s past becomes clear.
A slow-paced set-up episode that lays everything out on the table before the cataclysmic showdown that is looming in the next two episodes. The past of Whitehall and the woman we will learn is Skye’s mother is traumatic, as is the way that Ward slowly and effortlessly squeezes the truth out of his terrible brother before turning to murder his own neglectful parents and frame their deaths as his brother’s fault. The location of the ancient city is revealed, and the episode ends with quite a bit of hype heading into the mid-season.
Rating: 8
Episode 9 – …Ye Who Enter Here
The city is discovered, agents and villains scramble to complete their own goals, and the tense rises to a fever pitch as the mystery of the Diviner obelisk approaches its end.
Another episode of bubbling tension, but one punctuated by action (like a fight scene with Agent 33, a chase scene, and trying to hold off a mind-controlled Mack). I approve of this season really playing its greatest central mystery close to the chest with the way it so tantalizingly drip-feeds information about the obelisk and the city. We also get some more great Ward and Skye stuff (though not as great as in the next episode), a foreshadowing nightmare scene with Skye, and some more information about Skye’s dad’s intentions.
Rating: 8.5
Episode 10 – What They Become
SHIELD and HYDRA collide for control of the obelisk, allegiances change, lives are lost, and a new superhero is born.
This is the episode that the entirety of season two has been building up to so far, and it fires on all cylinders from start to finish. There’s the long-awaited meeting of Skye and her father that manages to be equally unsettling and charming, Whitehall gets his much-deserved comeuppance (at the cost of Coulson robbing Skye’s dad of his desired revenge), and all of the mysteries of the obelisk become shockingly clear. There’s a brilliant scene of Skye metaphorically and literally “shooting” down Ward’s twisted ideology, Ward and Agent 33 team up (which has huge repercussions down the road), Trip DIES (the first major protagonist to die in the show), and Skye unlocks some sort of strange new power. Super cool stuff!
Rating: 10
Episode 11 – Aftershocks
The effects of the obelisk mist have radically altered both Skye and Raina, and the lasting effects of the disastrous mission hit everyone differently.
A decidedly somber episode that spends its runtime really chewing on the effects from the previous episode, such as Trip’s death, Raina’s mutation, and Skye’s new quaking powers. Most impressively is how this episode deals with the emotional trauma of these changes, treating its characters like actual human beings and not flat players on a stage. Mack is furious about being mind-controlled, Simmons is distrustful of anything and everything alien, Raina is despondent over her transformation, and Skye is understandably deeply unsettled and guilt-ridden. There’s a fantastic, touching scene of Fitz (having struggled with his own issues earlier in the season) being the only one to bond with Skye.
Rating: 9.5
Episode 12 – Who You Really Are
Another surprise appearance from Lady Sif leads to the agents needing to fight against a rogue Kree warrior, as well as reconcile with their feelings about Skye.
Well, just like Sif’s last appearance, any chance to spend more time with her is appreciated, but what really elevates this episode is how it manages to turn a “case-of-the-week” premise into a natural continuation of established plot lines and character arcs. The way that Sif’s story brings out more angles to Skye and her struggles is great, as is the climactic fighting scenes that tie off the episode. My favorite scene is when Skye demonstrates her commitment to the team by tranquilizing herself to save them from an impending quake, and yet even then she still feels isolated from them. It’s pretty tragic.
Rating: 8.5
Episode 13 – One of Us
Skye’s father puts together his own villainous team to strike back at SHIELD, and Skye is instructed on how to try and tame her new powers.
The first episode of the season that doesn’t quite do it for me, even though it isn’t an awful episode by any means. I like the scenes where May’s ex-husband Andrew is introduced, and I like his subsequent therapy sessions with Skye. I’m also a fan of the reveal that Skye’s efforts to control and tame her quakes is only further damaging her internal organs (showing that suppression, instead of release, is negatively affecting her new self). However, the majority of the episode is actually spent with the little brawl with Skye’s dad’s team, and it just doesn’t work. None of the random people in the team are memorable or noteworthy, and they don’t even last past this episode anyway.
Rating: 7
Episode 14 – Love in the Time Of HYDRA
Ward and Agent 33 begin to work on their teamwork and build a relationship, while the rest of SHIELD is splitting apart into two factions due to Skye’s condition.
Another middling episode, but yet again it is more than enjoyable enough for what it is. While not really doing anything wrong, this episode doesn’t blow me away like some of the others do. I appreciate the villainous focus that Ward and Agent 33 (who changes her name to Kara in this episode) have built up, and any scene dealing with Skye and her post-obelisk trauma is always guaranteed to be a hit in my book. The rising tension also bubbles over into an argument between Fitz and Simmons, which is another great chance for these two irreplaceable actors to shine. I’ve never been a huge fan of the “Real SHIELD” plotline that begins here, though.
Rating: 7.5
Episode 15 – One Door Closes
SHIELD fractures apart as two opposing viewpoints collide, and Skye makes the decision to seek shelter and aid from those with gifts like her.
This is a great episode chiefly because of how it destabilizes the status quo. Not only does Skye choose to pursue other powered people like her instead of allowing herself to be hunted down, but several main characters turn against each other in rather surprising ways. I might not be a big fan of the idea of “Real SHIELD”, but the way in which it forces these characters to realistically confront their personal opinions and biases is still pretty great. Skye continues to have awesome scenes that push her development further, and the season’s main plot finally pivots towards its grand conclusion.
Rating: 9
Episode 16 – Afterlife
Skye is introduced to her fellow individuals changed by the obelisk power, now known as Inhumans, Coulson and Hunter plan a way to strike back against the SHIELD coup, and the captured agents work their magic against their former friends.
An episode that demonstrates a surprising amount of effective and enjoyable spy work, most notably from characters like Fitz and Simmons who don’t usually go out in the field. Skye’s introduction to the Inhuman sanctuary of Afterlife is given the appropriate amount of room to breathe, though I can see how it may be slow for some. Mike Peterson makes an enjoyable surprise return, there’s a fun little switcheroo that Coulson plans out with Hunter, and there are still more fun narrative parallels between Skye and Raina. More of a worldbuilding episode than anything.
Rating: 8
Episode 17 – Melinda
Agent May’s full backstory is revealed in relation to the Bahrain incident, Skye is formally introduced to her parents, and Fitz continues his journey to meet up with Coulson and Hunter.
I can’t help it, alright? I’m all for a nice happy story from time to time, but I just love it when a story isn’t afraid to get thematically dark and knock its heroes lower than they’ve ever been before. May’s backstory is incredibly well-written and acted, and perfectly encapsulates how she became who she is in the present day. The pitifully twisted Katya Belyakov is genuinely terrifying, and her defeat is heartbreaking. And yeah, the stuff with Skye finally meeting her mom and having a surprisingly touching family dinner is great, as is some good solo Fitz action. Fantastic episode.
Rating: 10
Episode 18 – The Frenemy of My Enemy
No less than four opposing forces collide at once as the various factions at play continue their endless war with each other. Skye is caught in the middle, still unsure of what side to take.
A madcap episode that admittedly tries to juggle a little bit more than it can handle. Not really a terrible episode by any means, but one that is a little scattered in its focus due to just how many characters and plots it’s trying to manage. Ward and Kara make a return (working alongside Coulson in a very tenuous truce), HYDRA starts popping in again after not being the focus for a while, and the Inhumans make contact with the rest of the team. The best part of the episode is definitely Skye and her father having a genuinely nice daddy-daughter day.
Rating: 7.5
Episode 19 – The Dirty Half Dozen
SHIELD is forced to work together once again in order to rescue Mike Peterson and Lincoln Campbell from HYDRA. Afterwards, there is a tie-in into the upcoming Avengers film, which is neat I suppose.
This is an episode that definitely coasts along with a bit of bittersweet nostalgia, but it does so well enough. The original team from season one is back together, even though everyone involved still hates Ward (for justifiable reasons, even if he’s still having a fun time of it). We get some great character moments from people like Simmons (who straight-up attempts to assassinate Ward for what he did to her and Fitz), Bobbi (who has a conversation with Kara about the nature of a spy’s mission), and Skye’s dad (who becomes more sympathetic with each new appearance).
Rating: 8
Episode 20 – Scars
The two SHIELD factions join back together, only to find themselves manipulated into a showdown with the Inhumans over control of some sort of alien artifact.
The requisite set-up episode before the two part finale, a staple of Agents of SHIELD (and many television shows, at that). Still, this one manages to work in a fair bit of action on top of a truly staggering amount of character dynamics and plot twists. If there’s any flaw in the concluding arc of season two, it’s that it tries to do a bit too much, even if the individual parts are still fun and exciting. I appreciate the reveal that Jiaying is so far gone from her past traumas that she’s willing to throw everything into a personal vendetta. I also like the stakes of this finale build-up, which are much higher than last season.
Rating: 8
Episode 21 – S.O.S. Part One
SHIELD and the Inhumans kick off the start of their way on each other. Meanwhile, a kidnapped Bobbi is held at the mercy of Ward and Kara, once it’s revealed Bobbi is responsible for getting Kara caught and brainwashed by HYDRA.
An entire episode dedicated to building up a huge roller-coaster of tension and action, leaving it at the most tantalizing point as a promise to where the season finale will take things in the next episode. I’m a huge fan of the side plot with Bobbi being captured by Ward and Kara (especially because both Ward and Kara still manage to be partially sympathetic despite being evil, and that torture scene is the stuff of nightmares). I like the confrontation that Skye has with May, and how Skye is so desperate to have parents now that she’s finally found them that she continues to blindly believe in her mother’s goals. Fun stuff all around.
Rating: 8.5
Episode 22 – S.O.S. Part Two
The climactic season finale, wherein Skye learns the truth about her mother, SHIELD fights to keep the strange artifact from falling into enemy hands, and Bobbi and Hunter fight desperately against Ward and Kara.
Just like the previous season finale, this is an episode filled with unforgettable moments and great highs. However, unlike last season, there actually is a cohesive villainous plot (even if a bit cliched), and a genuine basis of stakes. Bobbi takes a mortal gunshot wound to keep Hunter alive, proving she truly does still have a connection with her old flame. Fitz proves his status as a field agent by taking down Jiaying’s right-hand man, and Skye’s dad has a realization about his wife that finally leads him to save his daughter and end his wife’s life. There’s also that really touching scene of Skye’s dad having his memory wiped so he has the chance to live a normal life, and Skye (now Daisy) gets one more farewell with him.
Also, Coulson loses his arm, Kara is shot dead leaving Ward all alone again, and Simmons gets sucked into the alien monolith? That’s a jaw-dropping way to close out the season!
Rating: 9.5
SEASON CONCLUSION
An almost unbelievable improvement upon the first season, Agents of SHIELD‘s sophomore effort is one that builds on all the strengths of what came before it to present a much more compelling central story, and some genuinely great evolutions of beloved characters. Skye (Daisy) getting powers doesn’t feel like a cheap gimmick because the emotional toll and real-world consequences are given so much time to be explored. The Inhumans could’ve been faceless evil goons, but they end up so much more layered thanks to careful writing and pacing. It’s a great season, and what’s even greater is that the best is still to come!
Rating: 8.5
But hey, that’s just my opinion!
The Contrarian Corner 