Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review - Shadows (S2, E1)

So when this show began, it had quite a rocky start given that its purpose is in a way to fill in the gaps in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we wait for the next instalment in the way of films. Honestly, after watching season one, it quickly became one of my all time favourite TV shows and that comes from a guy who hasn't really watched much American drama based on the things that as fanboys and nerds, we love because up until seeing this, I didn't like much of it. So season 2 is now underway and presumably takes place after the first of what many hope will be many Guardians of the Galaxy films (though I don't see how an episode of this show can tie in to something like that). Everyone knows that S.H.I.E.L.D. was infiltrated by Hydra and everyone who is still loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. is on the run and with Phil Coulson now the director of this organisation, things look to be on the up. So with that said, let's look at the season premiere:

So the episode begins with a previously part that details what happened in the final episodes of season 1 which I like and then going into the year 1945 where Agent Peggy Carter (played by Hayley Atwell who reprises the role having been seen in both Captain America films and a Marvel One-Shot) leads a group of people of the Strategic Scientific Reserve (the precursor of S.H.I.E.L.D.) into attacking the last known Hydra base following the defeat of Red Skull and arrest the Hydra forces there while also confiscating their weapons and technology. In the present day, former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Roger Browning (played by Matthew Glave) attempts to sell intel about an artifact known as the Obelisk to Agent Isabelle Hartley (played by Lucy Lawless) and her mercenary collegues Lance Hunter (played by Nick Blood) and Idaho (played by Wilmer Calderon). The trio are working undercover for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Browning somehow gets himself murdered by a man who can change into any substance he touches. At The Playground (which currently is the base of operations for the newly reformed S.H.I.E.L.D.), Coulson immediately identifies the Obelisk as the first 0-8-4 and sends Skye to talk with their prisoner who turns out to be none other than Hydra double agent Ward who because of his stance with S.H.I.E.L.D. will only talk to Skye due to his romantic feelings for her. Knowing that anyone with the Obelisk is at risk of danger (even with the military), Coulson sends out forces to infiltrate a government facility to find the artifact before the absorbing man does.

Now the thing about the 1945 thing is that I'm guessing its to tie in with the upcoming Agent Carter show which is to be Marvel's other live action TV drama that also takes place in the MCU, filling up the very large gap between Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man. The show itself is meant to be broadcast between first and second half of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which I guess kind of makes sense in a way, but we'll see. As for this episode, its starts out pretty strong and has comic relief that most Marvel films are known to have these days and it's actually in my opinion, a much stronger start to the series than the Season 1 premiere. Its got a lot going on, manages to bring character development for all characters and makes me want to like it even more. 9/10