REVIEW: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Hot Potato Soup"
Welcome to the final episode of January, which, in theory, should be the final episode that feels otherwise insignificant. That’s not to say future episodes will not feel less useful than others, but the race to end should begin after this. In the meantime, that definitely starts this week off in the negative, especially since last week was just dull. How does the episode pull off after that? Let’s start.
First of all, good lord, I thought that “A Wanted (Inhu)man” was in the running for the worst title, but this definitely holds the record now. Unlike “Broken Promises,” I understand the meaning behind it, but that doesn’t stop the sheer stupidity of the name. Names aren’t a caveat for a good or bad episode, but they really do start the whole thing off on the wrong foot. For example, I’m struggling to even focus on writing on an episode called “Hot Potato Soup.”
Moving on, the episode runs as a general continuation from last week. Fitz and Simmons analyze the Radcliffe LMD, the team finally learns about the May LMD, and, bigger surprise, Coulson gave the Darkhold to the returning Koenig brothers, something about them being good about making things disappear. If you think that’s too self-aware for you, then sit back, relax, and wait through the next 54 minutes.
Honestly, the episode really does hinge on whether you like long-term jokes or the Koenigs. If you don’t like those things, I wouldn’t say it’s a fault of the show, especially if they don’t usually put all their eggs in one basket when it comes to plots that will end in two episodes. If you’re asking me, I don’t always love it, but there is a fun quip every now and then that the show could use every once and a while. My only qualm is that there is no way that the ship name between Quake and Black Widow would be Quack. Fans would go with Quake Widow obviously.
Beyond the fandom references, which do extend past Marvel, there are some interesting references to the show’s history. The reason I say this is once again due to its ever-shifting plotlines since it’s nice to remember that things mattered here. Whether it’s Bobbi and Hunter’s discharge, Sam’s knowledge of Daisy back when she was Skye, or the fact that Coulson did, you know, die, these things do come back to haunt you. I can’t tell whether or not they’re deeper connections or just throwaway moments, but I’d prefer to think the former to give the episode some credit.
Other information regarding this episode fall under the lesser side of surprise, but I guess we have to ask these questions eventually. The Koenigs being technicians was a fun final joke to their ongoing joke about LMDs which turned out to be a bit of foreshadowing, and that was nicely topped by the appearance of the highly-underappreciated LT Koenig whom I would not be angry to see again. The mention of Fitz’s dad which has always been ignored is also a semi-interesting concept which means that he will probably show up at some point. Don’t hold me to that though, they’ve let things go faster than you can say Graviton.
And finally, there’s the sadly underwhelming reveal of the Superior, who is really no one, going after Coulson for his part in many alien activities. It’s kind of funny that a connection that wouldn’t even get past a Reddit post now qualifies as a villain motivation, but here we are. I’d call it as inept as ever, but it feels so convoluted that I almost want to slow-clap SHIELD out as the first superhero show I feel would gather its new villain from conspiracy theories. And thanks for reminding us that Coulson should be dead since everyone and their mother seemed cool with that.
Of course, there are other important things to consider. They finally discovered that May was a fake, and now have to find the real one. Plus, that tiny detail that COULSON AND MAY KISS (fake LMD May but still). Sure, it wasn’t the epic swell of emotions that FitzSimmons has or even the expected one that SkyeWard had, but it happened. If there was any consideration that this may be its last season, this is it. I’m not bold enough to hate, but I am clear enough to say I can’t really think of anything else in the series that felt more out of nowhere, and this show had like five betrayals.
This is basically another for the category of low-point episodes. Not bad, since I had some fun with it, but miles away from its best. If they could start with a decent episode title, my expectations might raise, but for now, we’re taking this category with hot potato soup.
