Really liked this episode, and wasn't expecting it to be so dark or start off as strong. Felt like the episode moved a bit TOO fast, but I suppose that's because the previous season had a lot of small moments of characters just talking. There was very little of that, as everyone always seemed to be moving. Not a negative against the episode or anything, just something I noticed.
I was wondering if Simmons was an hallucination by the second scene with her, but she didn't seem to set off an clear bells, and I just assumed it made sense that she would be like a nurse to him. When the reveal came, I was shocked. Poor Fitz. Really liked how his actor handled everything.
Ward being all suicidal was interesting, though probably weird in hindsight? I always got that he loved Skye, but now it seems like he's super obsessed with her. I suppose you can say that's how Ward has always been since Garrett molded him in that way (being dependent on one person), but still seemed off. Is that why he has gripped onto Skye so tight, because that's the only way he knows how to live? Still a great scene, but just made me wonder.
Absorbing Man was super cool (and provided quite a bit of fanservice. Seriously, dude takes care of his body.). I really only know him from some of the Marvel games, as well as the Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon. Here, he seems to be a bit more intelligent, and even seems to find pleasure in his powers, literally. Dude grabbed a piece of wood, sat in a chair, and started breathing heavily.
...
Wait, that didn't come out right.
In any case, I didn't find him lame in the slightest like how I normally view him (despite the real threat he can possess). Hope to see more of him this season.
A bit sad Lucy Lawless bit the dust so quickly since I was actually liking her character. Grabbing the Obelisk seemed to be a "Let me try and use it, worst case is that I still die from the bad guy so what do I have to lose?" When he arm started to go, my first reaction was to get rid of said arm, and then she decided to do that just a couple of minutes later. It would be nice if she wasn't actually dead, but I guess that's not happening.
So yeah, I really enjoyed the episode! Only bad part I can think of is when they stole the jet. Felt like one of them should have been shot. Not fatally or anything, but seemed a bit too easy. If it was going to be anyone, I would have liked it to be May. I guess the combat also seemed a bit meh, but its only the first episode.
Positive includes the special effects being really good, and having a darker tone to everything. Story immediately grabs you and doesn't let go.