TV Episode Review - The Frenemy of My Enemy (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. S2, E18) + The Anvil or The Hammer (Gotham S1, E21)

This week, Coulson's team seek the help of the last man they would want help from in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Ogre story arc comes to its blood thirsty conclusion in Gotham. Let's tune in:

The Frenemy of My Enemy

So Coulson and Hunter along with Peterson meet up with Fitz and together, they track down and capture Ward and his associate Palamas. They make a deal whereby Ward helps Coulson in infiltrating Hydra in exchange for a clean slate and a memory wipe for Ward. Meanwhile, Skye decides to spend time with Cal in the hopes to prevent Jiaying's plans to banish him with a little help from May whom upon seeing Ward helping Coulson through a camera feed on Peterson that Simmons was able to hack into, sends Mack and Bobbi to investigate and twists and turns ensues. I think I can say that after several "meh" episodes, this one I actually enjoyed. It's action packed, sets the stage for the Age of Ultron tie in episode next week (which I believe has 2 tie in episodes, but I could be wrong) and its good to see everyone playing a part rather than just countless dialogue which I don't mind as long as it works, but several episodes of it, no, just no. 9/10

The Anvil or The Hammer

So the Ogre, having revealed himself in the previous episode, reveals his true intentions to Barbara and like his other victims, holds her captive and has her choose his next victim. Gordon and Bullock locate his apartment at the Gotham Royal Hotel, but arrive too late as he and Barbara have set off to his parents' mansion. Meanwhile, Nygma's psychopathic break down continues as he tries to dispose of a body of a man he killed while Bruce continues to investigate suspicious activity in Wayne Enterprises, only to be caught by Bunderslaw who explains to Bruce of the suspicious activity in the company and what his father knew about them. A young Lucius Fox (played by Chris Chalk) takes Bruce away and reveals to Bruce that his father did know about them, but never approved of them. As all this is happening, Cobblepot hatches a scheme to have both Maroni and Falcone at war, thus setting up the series finale. I have to say, this episode is very dark and full of things that any Batman fan is expected to see. Gangs at war, killings, crimes being committed, this is exactly everything the the series has always intended to be, and I like it. It may not be the series finale, but there is a lot to like here. There really is. Definitely one of the best episodes of the show so far. 9/10