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Hydra tried to knock us down, but couldn’t knock us out! Internet problems have been conquered and here’s out new episode!
Although, Ben seems to have watched the episode while Daniel was reading a book…and Daniel makes the most amazing episode analysis in the history of Welcome to Level Seven!
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Wow, guys! Thanks so much for reading my comments on-air, and thanks for the No-Prize. I’m honored. 😉
Well, to begin with, I thought this episode was a MILLION TIMES BETTER than the first two were. And Ben, I think you hit the nail on the head in the podcast – the first two episodes of AoS, for me, just *weren’t* enjoyable. And I think it was because that family dynamic was seriously lacking! I know people like action, but I have always appreciated that AoS has been character-focused, as well as action-y, and I felt the absence of that in the first two episodes. I was really hoping that wasn’t the new direction of the series. With this episode, my confidence in the showrunners has been boosted.
First of all, it really felt like the family dynamic was back. I loved all the little interactions between the characters. Coulson mentoring Simmons over dinner was golden. May’s interaction with Skye in the shooting range was lovely – just the right mix of toughness and encouragement. I felt like Skye was much more nuanced this episode, and you got a sense of her arc this season, in terms of her training and mental adjustment to being a field agent. (It wasn’t just – BAM! – suddenly Skye is mini-May! Which is kind of how it felt the first two episodes.)
I loved the “return” of Simmons (I’m beyond relieved that she hasn’t been Hydra all along) and I felt like this episode really gave us a sense of her arc in this season, too. Like it or not, she’s becoming a field agent – and a good liar. She’s having to take on roles she never thought she would, because they simply don’t have anyone else to do it. I also LOVED how they’ve ratcheted up the tension by placing Simmons in harm’s way. This shows me that the writers really understand what a sympathetic character she is for the audience, and it restores my confidence that they’re going to continue to handle her well and not screw her up. (Even if she ends up brainwashed and Hydra, to me, that’s not screwing up her character – because she would still be her, just brainwashed. I hope that makes sense.)
The humor in this episode was much better and actually funny, instead of falling flat! (“Apology #475: I am sorry, Agent May.” “Sriracha and beer? What kind of diet is that?” “You don’t give the orders, Trainspotting.”)
I have to admit, I even liked Lance Hunter in this episode. His wager with Mack was pretty funny, and I love the possibility of a running gag where now Trip and Skye each get to find an opportunity to shoot him. 😉 I liked how he was gelling with the team, and I even liked his irritating caretaking of Skye. I see his potential more now. And maybe I just like that he’s not robbing so much screen time from the characters I love. Hehe. 🙂
In conclusion, I think that what has tied me most to AoS each week is my emotional involvement with the characters, their relationships with one another, and their growth as people. If that was going to be ripped apart, there wasn’t going to be much keeping me invested in the story. But this episode reassures me that the last two episodes have probably been more of a blip than the new normal. And this episode didn’t have the same heavy, depressed feeling as the last two.
So anyway…yeah, they’re keeping me around. Which is good, because it means I get to keep listening to you guys! 🙂
We are just thrilled to hear you are sticking around! We need all the Agents we can get in this battle against Hydra.
PS – All the quotes from How to Make Friends and Influence People were hysterical. You guys are totally my favorite AoS podcast. You are so much fun to listen to!
Thanks!