Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review - Episode 8: The Well

[SnowmanCA]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess while watching 'The Hub' was that it would turn out that May was the unspecified female agent that brought Skye to an orphanage, possibly was responsible (at least partially) for her parents deaths.

 

[Caffiene]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess while watching 'The Hub' was that it would turn out that May was the unspecified female agent that brought Skye to an orphanage, possibly was responsible (at least partially) for her parents deaths.

Yeah, I didnt get the impression it was any of Bob's options at all, rather "seeing it" as in remembering a past trauma every day, as opposed to Ward who had made a point about locking his memories away and not thinking about it.

Although Im not sure on the specific explanation of May being involved with Skye. I was thinking that SHIELD agents were the dead in the photos, and also there was a point made about May agreeing to help Coulson track down leads. It wouldnt fit her character very well (at least as established so far) to happily lie to his face about helping.

 

[DataSnake]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess? It's similar to Bruce Banner saying "I'm always angry" in The Avengers. She's come to terms with her traumatic past, whereas Ward just repressed his (it was bound to cause trouble for him sooner or later because, as Banner pointed out, "avoiding stress isn't the secret").

 

[Kenjitsuka]

This was definitely my favorite episode so far. Good story, great character stuff.

Also, it was directed by Johnathan Frakes which I thought was awesome.

Exactly that: Yay for Frakes! And yay for Dollhouse too!

 

[Darth_Payn]

Bob, thank you for reminding me of that actor's name; I just KNEW I saw him in a few other places! Although, I thought this episode, as good as it was, would deal with something left behind by Malekith's invasion, not something buried in a tree for a few centuries.

 

[ciancon]

I may have misread (miswatched?) this episode a bit cos I ended up with a different opinion on Ward. When we find out what happens at the well, it was the eldest brother that looked exactly like Ward. As such, i thought the hate that Ward felt was towards himself for bullying his two younger brothers (and possibly killing one of them?).

Either way, it's some seriously dark stuff that I was not expecting to see in this series.

 

[SummerOtaku]

"May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?"

OMG are you thinking that maybe May was on the Helicarrier and saw Coulson get stabbed or is somehow involved in the cover-up so she sees it, IT being a LMD of coulson, everyday as a reminder? I really like this theory.

Also---Did he really say that the Portland Cellist was female? So many Clint/Coulson fics seems to capitalize on the fact that Cellists use a Bow (much like say Hawkeye). Not saying that it's likely to be the case but that loophole for fanfic should still remain open if it is the case.

I am very much enjoying Agents of Shield and guessing what's going to happen next. I even post Bingo cards over on shieldgames on Tumblr for playing along.

 

[SummerOtaku]

I greatly enjoy these episode reviews. I find the episodes kind of grating to watch, so it's nice to read a summery to keep up on events. I also enjoy learning new tidbits about the characters and events in the comics. Keep 'em coming guys!

Also, is Jon taking over for Bob?

This seems to be Bob's writing, my guess is that john is ony posting the article.

I also like the idea of Dollhouse being incorporated. In Avengers they have that Clint/Natasha scene about "being unmade" HOW EASY would it be if Dollhouse was a part of Red Room (the people who brainwashed Natasha).

 

[SummerOtaku]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess while watching 'The Hub' was that it would turn out that May was the unspecified female agent that brought Skye to an orphanage, possibly was responsible (at least partially) for her parents deaths.

Oh I like that theory too!

 

[SummerOtaku]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess? It's similar to Bruce Banner saying "I'm always angry" in The Avengers. She's come to terms with her traumatic past, whereas Ward just repressed his (it was bound to cause trouble for him sooner or later because, as Banner pointed out, "avoiding stress isn't the secret").

This was how I read that scene but all these other theories are exciting.

 

[faefrost]

May says she was able to deal with the Berserker Staff dredging up whatever her version of Ward's well-flashback was because she already "sees it every day." Is she talking about general nihilism/self-hate, S.H.I.E.L.D in general... or one of her teammates specifically?

My guess while watching 'The Hub' was that it would turn out that May was the unspecified female agent that brought Skye to an orphanage, possibly was responsible (at least partially) for her parents deaths.

Chloe Bennet's actual ethnicity leaves open some interesting possibilities there.

 

[Daaaah Whoosh]

I may have misread (miswatched?) this episode a bit cos I ended up with a different opinion on Ward. When we find out what happens at the well, it was the eldest brother that looked exactly like Ward. As such, i thought the hate that Ward felt was towards himself for bullying his two younger brothers (and possibly killing one of them?).

Either way, it's some seriously dark stuff that I was not expecting to see in this series.

These were my thoughts exactly. I actually read this article because I was confused as to which of the children was Ward, since the evil one looked like him. The whole scene doesn't make too much sense to me, because as I see it there are three options:
1) Ward was the eldest, got his little brother killed, and somehow stopped being a horrible human being somewhere in the next twenty years.
2) Ward was the middle child, who sent down the rope even though he wasn't supposed to, which I think would be a moment of pride, as he was disobeying his evil older brother, unless he waited longer than it seemed he did.
3) Ward was the youngest child, in the well, which doesn't make sense because of the way they revealed the rest of the event to us.

I just hope they spell it out a little more clearly some time in the future, as a recap for new fans and an explanation fr people like me who are confused.

 

[Nimzabaat]

So just a question about Coulson "knowing Thor". Does Coulson know that Thor (most likely) knows that he's still alive? Heimdal sees everybody so he knows Coulson is alive. Thor isn't "level 8" but if he was even mildly curious enough to mention it, Heimdal could tell him. Also, how would the son of Odin feel about being manipulated like that? Just a thought.

 

[jmarquiso]

On Mae - I'm sure it's PTSD already. Remember she mentioned that she didn't wnat to get back in action because of something SHE did? This is a staff that enforces PTSD to generate rage in its user. Mae has been focusing this stuff for longer than any of the rest.

Also, the other thing about these Norse worshippers - White Supremacists have been up to this for awhile, something about sticking to white mythology. It kind of frightening. This was an undercurrent of the arguments against multiracializing Asgard in Thor.

That said, I also found this a great premise for The Wrecking Crew, whcih Ithink would be a good tie in to both Thor and Agents of SHIELD.

 

[VoidWanderer]

I like the interesting teases about Coulson. Is he an android, because he was getting 'rusty'? Disproved given the test he put himself through. Is he a clone going through the 'Clone Blues', he seems fairly happy for that. Was he resurrected through a magical ritual? It is a possibility. Mankind does have a history of fear about magic, along with its fascination of it. And the constant reference to Tahiti being a magical place does reinforce it.

I have just had an interesting idea. What if Coulson is Adam Warlock? I was originally going to say Asgardian, with his mind being kept alive by the Mind Gem of the Infinity Gauntlet, their regeneration could still work and repair his body, but I like the idea about him being Adam Warlock...

I mean, given ALL the crazy stuff he deals with, but accepts it anyway, without second-guessing... It could be Mr Warlock wanted to live like a human, or knows it's how to get his glove back without pissing of the entire Asgardian Race, and because he is already aware of it subconsciously, he accepts in consciously.

That's my theory on it anyway. I doubt we will find out until Avengers 3.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

At this point, I'm getting sick of the Coulson mystery. It's the same f---ing thing every week to the point where no matter the resolution, I'll find it underwhelming. Either it's the obvious and they suck at misdirection, or they're going for a "gotcha" twist and laying on the mystery as overcompensation. I kind of like the Dollhouse idea.

Exactly that: Yay for Frakes! And yay for Dollhouse too!

I also like the idea of Dollhouse being incorporated. In Avengers they have that Clint/Natasha scene about "being unmade" HOW EASY would it be if Dollhouse was a part of Red Room (the people who brainwashed Natasha).

Agreed.

I have to say, the most exciting moment in the entire Shield series so far has been the moment when Coleson said "Did I fall asleep?" and the masseuse said "For a little while."

I paused Hulu and jumped up and down pointing at the screen.

Dollhouse was awesome - I'd love to see it get wrapped into the Marvel-verse.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

I may have misread (miswatched?) this episode a bit cos I ended up with a different opinion on Ward. When we find out what happens at the well, it was the eldest brother that looked exactly like Ward. As such, i thought the hate that Ward felt was towards himself for bullying his two younger brothers (and possibly killing one of them?).

Either way, it's some seriously dark stuff that I was not expecting to see in this series.

Except the younger of the two brothers not in the well is referred to as Grant, which is Ward's first name.

 

[Therumancer]

I'll also say again, as much as it cheezes people off, doing the "Ultimate" Nick Fury for political correctness reasons was a mistake.

Technically that's not really something they could have changed. See when Ultimate Nick Fury was designed, the artists based his likeness on Samuel L Jackson. The similarity is referenced within the comic itself, in a scene in which the Ultimates discuss who they think should play each of them in a movie about the team. Fury's answer for himself is "Mr. Samuel L. Jackson, of course, no discussion." Jackson did not originally give his consent for Marvel Comics to use his likeness, but after he learned of the use of his likeness he contacted Marvel and secured the role of Nick Fury in any future movies which will feature the character.

That happened way back in 2002, so of course Marvel agreed to give him any hypothetical role to avoid legal action. I doubt anyone who was involved in that decision actually thought there would one day be a spin-off television series based on SHIELD.

I was unaware that Samuel L. Jackson had forced the issue in that way, and I admit I can't find any reference to that part of the story. I *DID* know that they based the "Ultimate" version of Nick Fury on him visually though.

At the end of the day, I have a very specific idea of SHIELD and Nick Fury in my mind after having read about them for decades. I don't mind "spin off universes" but when they start pulling stuff like this out left and right for movies that are going to establish specific images in more people's minds and affect the further direction of ongoing franchises for a long time, it kind of bugs me... and really to be frank while it was no big deal to begin with, it was just plain wrong to see "The Howling Commandos" in "Captain America" without Nick Fury leading them, and SHIELD without Nick Fury at the helm leading the charge is like trying to make a bread without flour, it shouldn't be any surprise when it fails.

To be frank given the lack of references (I mean I acknowledge you could be right) it still smacks of political correctness to me.

It's sort of like how a lot of the "Justice League" cartoons decided to use John Stewart as Green Lantern, apparently so they could get a black character in there. I mean John is okay, but he's mostly a supporting character, as opposed to the actual Green Lantern of the title who was Hal Jordan, and later replaced by Kyle Raynor (and then eventually Hal returned). I suppose it was better than having Guy Gardner fill the role, but it's occasionally irked me when I've run into people who claim to be Green Lantern fans who have never heard of the other characters.

I have nothing against Black Super heroes mind you, I just feel there needs to be respect for the established labels and characters that people have grown up with for decades and what role they play. But then again a lot of it is that I think it encourages the attitude that there aren't any black super heroes, which is why they need to play games like this with changing established characters, or trying to bring more or less supporting cast members (mostly) like John Stewart into a "title" role. To be honest there are super heroes of most ethnicities out there when it comes to the big comics companies and there have been for decades, to my way of thinking it's better to take those characters, use them correctly, and have them become popular on their own, rather than trying to get attention by mucking around with some of people's favorite characters.

As I've been joking recently, I think Netflix should have some last minute re-casting and have Vin Diesel play Luke Cage and Marissa Miller as Misty Knight (if she shows up in "Iron Fist") just to get the goat of the people the other changes had been made for, and show how stupid it is. (Lol)

Seriously though while I'm rambling I think Netflix has the right idea here, except the part about uniting them all as "The Defenders" as opposed to having them form up as "Heroes For Hire" which is pretty much the central sub-mythology most of those shows are drawn from. "The Defenders", despite what Bob said, was originally founded by Doctor Strange to fight enemies beyond the norm striking from parallel dimensions and such. There was even a misunderstanding which lead to an "Avengers Vs. Defenders war" which was a big event in it's day. I kind of wish they had left that name open as a possible link in doing a "Doctor Strange" movie or series, especially then if they ever wanted to blow a billion dollars they could actually have a bunch of high powered heroes lay into each other by doing something similar to the event as a crossover movie that crosses over crossover movie series movies! The biggest question would be "which team gets 'The Hulk'"?

 

[Kenjitsuka]

Agreed.

I have to say, the most exciting moment in the entire Shield series so far has been the moment when Coleson said "Did I fall asleep?" and the masseuse said "For a little while."

I paused Hulu and jumped up and down pointing at the screen.

Dollhouse was awesome - I'd love to see it get wrapped into the Marvel-verse.

If they manage to wrap Dollhouse into the Marvel-verse.... I will jump up and down too, promise!!!!
Let's hope Josh Whedon is a BIIIIG fan of Moviebob and reads this

 

[Lightknight]

Any tips on how an Asgaurdian got anything, let alone a staff of power, taken from him by force?