REVIEW: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Broken Promises"
SHIELD returns with not exactly a fizzle but a lot more questions, which kind of shorts out the possibility for a bang. However, I will note that these questions are looking to make up a far more interesting half-season than the one before it. While I’ll concede that Ghost Rider remains a far more interesting character, the development in this premiere is sure to add another layer to once dull angles.
Let’s start with twist number one: Radcliffe is working with AIDA to steal the Darkhold. Looks like she won’t be the villain on her own this time around, although she quickly rose to the occasion in this episode. It’s for the best since I’d prefer villains to not peak early, but it does take some innovation from the story. Then again, taking an evil robot, even one that works for a bad guy, in the equation has to lead to a robot rise-up eventually. I’ve seen movies from the 80’s too.
It is a shame though that it means May, or rather the real May, be sidelined for a bit. We get a semblance of a plot as there’s a fake May running around, but, when we cut back to the real one unconscious, it’s hard not to feel a little shortchanged. I mean, the show only has six characters and they just got rid of Ghost Rider. They can’t get more room for plots than they have now. Eventually, May will have to come back, but that just leads me to question why can’t they just kill her to keep it a secret? They already killed the other agent, so they clearly don’t have issues with that.
It’s that kind of question that’s also a little frustrating since answering it could provide a more interesting story while not answering it is almost a plot hole. This includes things like who is Nadeer’s superior? What is Mace hiding and if it is a secret why would he be cool working with Daisy who’s tracked off theories before? What are Vijay’s powers anyway?
The last one hurts the most since Vijay actually seemed like a sympathetic character to me. He’s a guy you knew from the start would get the axe which made it all the more damaging when it does happen. With cocoon around him again, I’m sure he could show up again albeit we won’t get an explanation until then. So what is happening here? If we’re throwing out theories, I’m going for time manipulation around his body. It explains apparent super speed and his body reverting back to terregenesis when damaged. Plus, it grants different abilities to different characters which is always preferable.
I think out of all the returning episodes, this may have been the most enjoyable to watch. While that doesn’t exactly make it a good episode, it certainly helps the hour pass. For one thing, there was a surprising number of self-aware jokes such as “cloak and dagger methods,” Simmons being kidnapped once off-planet, and the base getting attacked once a year. I’m a fan of those jokes, so I’m glad we can at least go out on a few before the season or series ends.
Another welcome addition is Mack and Yo-Yo’s team-up complete with action movie references. It’s funny not only in the case of how predictable this episode plot should be but also the way these characters bounce off each other in such deadpan seriousness. I still have a fear that Yo-Yo might not be long for this world with this kind of attention and no main character status, but that just makes watching her more important. Plus, this was one of the few places I’ve heard someone mention the movie Maximum Overdrive and Lawnmower Man.
This was also probably the first episode in a while to remind me the new time slot beyond the darker shading. With Mallory Jensen shirtless in the beginning to Mack literally beheading her with an axe (no blood no worries), this episode remembered that they could get away with more. I’m actually a little surprised that this was the first in a while that reminded me.
This premiere was definitely a decent setup with more than a couple of wow moments to distinguish it from the rest. The only real issue I can’t reconcile is that for the life of me I have no idea why it’s called “Broken Promises.” You could have been one of the greats without that title.
