That Humming Noise | Review: F.Z.Z.T.

Most of this review was written in November 2013 but was never finished. (The original title was "I'm Agent Grant Ward") I am completing it in September 2023, over three years after the end of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and as such it contains spoilers for the rest of the series.

Opening Thoughts:

Oh. My. Thor. That is an episode.

In-Depth Thoughts:

[Original comments from 2013]
"F.Z.Z.T." is, I believe, the episode Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fans have been waiting for. Here's what I mean by that:

There are many people who don't like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - people who are fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but are disappointed with the show. I don't know the reasons each person has to not liking the show. I have only heard the opinions of a few people. But I am going to speculate that the biggest problem that people have with the show is that they were expecting a direct continuation of The Avengers, with the show having the same tone as the third act of The Avengers.

But T.V. shows are not movies. A movie has two and a half hours to introduce characters, build tension, act on the tension, and then resolve the tension. T.V. seasons, on the other hand, have 22 separate hours to go through that process. There was a lot of emotional tension and excitement in this episode, and it was possible because it had the previous five episodes to introduce us to the characters and get us to care about them. If this episode had been the first episode, then we wouldn't feel as we did about Simmons' sacrifice for the team and Ward's saving her.

Just as how the first act of The Avengers was "boring", the first five episodes had to be not as great so that "F.Z.Z.T." could be what it was. We're now just a quarter of the way through the first season. Who knows how far the show is going to climb for the rest of the season?

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Quotes:

Coulson: I don't sweat. I glisten.

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Coulson: A man of my age? That's something you say to an old person?
Simmons: Is it?

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May: Have a cookie.

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Coulson: Don't worry. You don't have to start calling me Iron Man.
May: Wasn't planning on it.

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Questions and Comments:

Hollywood has never heard of two-deep leadership. There should have been at least two scoutmasters on the camping trip, not just a scoutmaster and a senior patrol leader.

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Ooh! Blake touched Lola.

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"Everybody looks clean on their first go 'round" said the secret HYDRA mole.

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Theories: Rewatch Reflection:

"F.Z.Z.T." is in my Top 5 episodes of the series. It was the first episode where FitzSimmons takes front and center. The high stakes of Jemma jumping/falling out of The Bus was only surpassed by the Ward reveal later in the season.

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'Ship Watch:

This episode featured the first steps in the eventual Fitz/Simmons and Coulson/May relationships, which I started to pick up on in my initial comments below.

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I guess I was wrong about Simmons' feelings for Fitz. I thought she just viewed him as a brother, but [thought left open ended for ten years.]

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There really seems to be a history between Coulson and May, and not just a professional one.

"The Hub" - Clip 1

Episodes 7-9 Synopses

"The Hub" - November 12, 2013

Dangerous secrets are being kept from Coulson’s team, and he works the system to save Ward and Fitz when they are sent on a Level 8 classified mission that may end in tragedy.


"The Well" - November 19, 2013

In the aftermath of the events chronicled in the feature film Marvel's "Thor: The Dark World," Coulson and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. pick up the pieces--one of which threatens to destroy a member of the team.

"Repairs" - November 26, 2013

Coulson and his team are haunted by a mysterious force that threatens to destroy them all, and only a secret from May's past can save them.

A Compliment And A Smile | Review: The Girl In The Flower Dress

Updated 9/25/2023

Opening Thoughts:

Okay, I am finally posting this review two weeks after the episode aired. The reason I am late posting this is because I am lazy and love to procrastinate I had a lot to say about this episode. At least one good thing about nobody reading this blog is the fact that if I am late or post an incomplete review, nobody cares.

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Goodness gracious, great balls of fire! #Scorch #agentsofshield
— Brett Dalton (@IMBrettDalton) October 23, 2013

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Best Quotes:

May: Having trouble sleeping?
Coulson: No, I feel great. Just have a little extra energy to burn.

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Raina: Have you ever heard of Steve Rogers? No. But Captain America, now he's on the news. On a lunch box. On a poster on the wall.

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Lydon: You're a hacker, Skye. Not SEAL Team 6.
Skye: No, but he is.

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Coulson: Oh crap. They gave him a name.

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Questions & Comments:

Why, when the fire from Scorch's explosion goes into the vents and up on the roof, does the fire make a 6 and then have a ball of fire go through the circle of the 6? Does that have any significance?

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Who was the guy in the prison? And who is The Clairvoyant?

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The biggest question of the episode (and the one with the biggest theory) is, Why is the truth of Skye's parentage classified by S.H.I.E.L.D.?

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Theories:

[Insert theory about Skye's parentage here.]

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Every week there is another clue that Coulson is not himself. I still say clone.

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If you haven't read it yet, here is my theory that Fitz is going to die in an upcoming episode: Theory: Agent Fitz Is Doomed [UPDATED]

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'Ship Watch

When May was talking to Coulson about laying out the mats and going a few rounds just like the old days, it seemed like she was flirting with him. Could May and Coulson have a history? Of all the possible 'ships, I thought that May/Coulson was the least likely happen. Maybe that explains her reaction to Coulson and Camilla Reyes.

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Skye and Ward's relationship looked like it was heading in a good direction, then Oh No!, Skye sleeps with her ex-boyfriend and almost betrayed the team. I guess Skye/Ward is back to square one. :(

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Theory: Agent Fitz Is Doomed [UPDATED]

Originally posted on October 10, 2013

The official description for Episode 1.06 "FZZT" has been released, and states: "When floating bodies turn up, Coulson and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D must hunt down an elusive killer. No one is safe--not even the team--on 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'"

I want to focus on the part that says, "No one is safe--not even the team". The photo used for the press release is of Agent Leo Fitz. I think that this is a clue that Fitz might die in the episode. And that is not the only clue that has been given that Fitz is doomed.

I first got a bad feeling about Agent Fitz's fate when the promos using Stevie Nicks' song "Soldier's Angel" first premiered. Agent Fitz is prominently featured during the line "No one walks away from this battle". At that time I got a bad feeling that Fitz might not survive, and now I have even more possible proof to support my theory.

If any character from "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D." could die, I think that Fitz is the one that is expendable. Don't think that I don't like Fitz - I do, even more after the most recent episode. But I just feel that the most likely candidate for a character death would be him.

I think that episode six is too early for a character to die. But the description says that the team is chasing a killer and "No one is safe--not even the team". I am tired of TV shows that put the main character(s) in peril, but you know that they aren't in real danger. If a TV series like "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D." killed a main character in the early part of its first season, it would be a really gutsy move.

As much as I don't want Fitz or any other character to die, if it does happen, I would be sad but I would respect the show and its producers.

UPDATE: October 18, 2013

Michael Ausiello of TV|Line is reporting:

Check it: A prospective new TV pilot just landed a big-time actor as its star, but the up-and-coming producer/writer behind the future series can’t pitch it to a single network. Heck, he can’t even discuss it with anyone — and that’s because there’s a spoiler bomb embedded within the top-secret project.

You see, the headliner in question is currently starring on a popular hour-long drama series. And if word were to get out that he has committed himself to a new full-time gig, it could potentially ruin a major upcoming twist: his onscreen death.

So the scribe has graciously agreed to keep his script — and his stealth casting coup — under wraps until the morning after the character meets his end.

On the bright side, I hear he won’t have to keep his trap shut for much longer.

This might be evidence to support my above theory. Does Iain De Caestecker count as "a big-time actor"? I don't know. But everything else seems to fit.

Other Updates - October 19, 2013

According to SHIELDTV.net, a representative from the fansite attended New York Comic-Con and spoke to Marvel's Executive Director of TV Communications who has seen episode 6 and says the episode will make us cry in a good way. Read the full post.

Also, SpoilerTV.com is reporting that episode 7, "The Well", will now air as episode eight, and episode 8, "The Sandwich Incident", will air as episode seven. It is unknown why the episode orders are being reversed, or how the episodes relate events of episode 6. (UPDATE: This point may be inaccurate.)

UPDATE: October 24, 2013

After seeing the preview for episode 6, which ended with everyone crying and Fitz screaming, I thought that my prediction was going to come true about Fitz dying that episode. But now Marvel has released information about the upcoming episode titled "The Hub":

Dangerous secrets are being kept from Coulson’s team, and he works the system to save Ward and Fitz when they are sent on a Level 8 classified mission that may end in tragedy in "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.".

The episode number is not being given for "The Hub", but it is probably episode 7, and the "may end in tragedy" might still be Fitz's death. (UPDATE: Official press release confirms that "The Hub" is indeed episode 7.)

UPDATE: November 1, 2013
Okay, now they are just messing with me. Marvel just released the synopsis of episode 8 which reads:

In the aftermath of the events chronicled in the feature film Marvel's "Thor: The Dark World," Coulson and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. pick up the pieces--one of which threatens to destroy a member of the team.

To recap: In episode 6, "No one is safe--not even the team." In episode 7, "Ward and Fitz...are sent on a Level 8 classified mission that may end in tragedy." And episode 8, something "threatens to destroy a member of the team."

Sigh. I have such a good theory, and yet every new episode press release from Marvel confirms and contradicts my theory at the same time. I just can't wait for the episodes to start airing again.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Composer Vs Composer

Super Spy Is Ticklish | Review: "Eye Spy"

Updated 9/25/2023

Opening Thoughts:

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!

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Quotes:

Coulson: What do you like best? The freedom? The view?
May: The solitude.
Coulson: Got it. See you in Sweden.

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Skye: What's up, Phil?
Coulson: I'd prefer you not call me Phil.
Skye: Okay, you're the boss...A.C.

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Coulson: I live outside the box.

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Skye:I'm gonna go play with my phone now.

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Coulson: Between Facebook, Instagram, and Flikr, people are surveilling themselves.

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May: Bus to short bus.
Ward: Go for short bus.
Coulson: Next time I'll decide what we call ourselves, okay?

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Skye: Not long ago I would have dumped ESP in the aliens-and-portals-are-for-crazy-people pile, but now...

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Skye: It's like we were trapped in a van shaped pinata.

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Skye: Super spy is ticklish.

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'Ship Watch:

After Akela's trial and she gets out of S.H.I.E.L.D. jail, Coulson should set her up with Nick Fury. They can go on a blind date, where they can stare deeply into each other's eye... (Sorry, I couldn't resist. Insensitive, I know.)

Episodes 4-6 Official Synopses

 Updated 9/25/2023

“Eye Spy” - October 15, 2013

Agent Coulson and the S.H.I.E.L.D. team try to track down a mysterious woman who has single-handedly committed numerous high-stakes heists. But when the woman’s identity is revealed, a troubling secret stands to ruin Coulson, on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

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"Girl in the Flower Dress" - October 22, 2013

An elusive girl in a flower dress may hold the key to the mystery that brings Coulson and team to Asia to rescue a young man with an unusual and dangerous power; and Skye has a secret that jeopardizes her relationship with the team right when they need her most.

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"FZZT" - November 5, 2013

When floating bodies turn up, Coulson and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D must hunt down an elusive killer. No one is safe--not even the team--on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

If We Had A Small Monkey | Review: "The Asset"

Updated 9/25/2023

Opening Thoughts:

Another great episode, but not as good as the first two. That doesn't mean the episode was bad, it just was not able to top the other two, which was expected.

The episode focused on Skye a lot. It seems like she wants to be loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as the Rising Tide. Not a good choice for a double agent.

Also, there were only three references to "The Avengers" and not to any other MCU movie.

Best Quotes:

Skye: I thought I was joining S.H.I.E.L.D., not 24 Hour Fitness.

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Coulson: They paid you in gold?
Ward: Now it really feels like the Old West

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Skye: Guys, high school dropout here.

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Fitz: If we had a monkey, we could get in.
Simmons: Ugh, Fitz.
Fitz: If we had a small monkey, he could slip through the sensors and disable the fence's power source with his adorable little hands.

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Coulson: You forget -- I saw plenty of action with The Avengers.
May: And you died.

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Fitz: She probably just used her... (stammers)...her boobs.

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Simmons: Saying his name repeatedly does not increase productivity.
Fitz: Okay, go.
Simmons: Or maybe it does.

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Hall: I'm sorry, Mr. Coulson. I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
Coulson: I'll be honest, our strategy did not take into consideration you saying that.

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Guard: Kid's got balls.
Skye: Thanks, but yuck.

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Hall: Your search for an unlimited power source brought an alien invasion.
Coulson: Fair point.

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Coulson: I used to have this down. Should be just muscle memory.

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'Ship Watch:

Skye and Ward started opening up to each other and revealing details about their pasts. Although it is a step towards a solid relationship, I doubt Skye will be revealing her true identity to Ward anytime soon.

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There was a lot of tension between Fitz-Simmons in the episode. Might it have something to do with the aerosol they were spraying at the beginning of the episode? Or could the animosity just be because Fitz was mad at Simmons for using his newest invention before him, and Simmons jealous of Fitz's attention on Skye?

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Theories:

Coulson mysteriously lost his muscle memory. Yet another proof he is a clone.

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Comments:

The old science fiction cliche of creating a new element and naming it after a noun, verb, or adjective and then adding -ium at the end. An element that controls gravity? Gravitonium. (At least it is better than Unobtanium.)

Also, the 'jump out of a window/off the balcony and into the swimming pool' cliche.

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Soundtrack:

"Drive All Night Till Dawn" by Wagons.

The Asset - Clip 1

The Asset - Sneak Peek

The Device Fueled By Evil | Review: "0-8-4"

Opening Thoughts:

Another great episode!!!

I really liked Nick Fury's cameo at the end of the episode. I liked actually seeing Fury meet with Coulson instead of other characters only mentioning that Fury yelled at Coulson. But I think that having monkey-fighting Samuel L. Jackson on the Monday-to-Friday plane was too early in the series. They should have waited to have a Nick Fury cameo until the season finale.


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Best Quotes:

Skye: Hey. No joy rides, okay. That's my house.

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Simmons: Let's find a bunk for our guest.
Fitz: There's only one left, and it's right next to mine!

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Skye: Agent Ward said they sent you to Tahiti.
Coulson: It's a magical place.
Skye: You mentioned that.

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Coulson: (Explaining 0-8-4) The last one turned out to be pretty interesting.
Skye: What was the last one?
Coulson: A hammer.

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Skye: So, everything that I am against?
Coulson: Yep.

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Simmons: (to 'Sleepy') Leave the man alone.

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Ward: I forgot I was working with 'The Cavalry'.
May: Don't ever call me that.

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Coulson: Do you need anything else before I go check on the device fueled by evil that's sitting in our cargo hold?

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Skye: ...I might as well be team captain.
Simmons: (scoffs)
Coulson: (angry glare)
Skye: I'm joking, but maybe that's not such a bad idea...

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Ward: You've heard of 'The Cavalry'?
Fitz-Simmons: ...She's 'The Cavalry'?!
May: I told you never to call me that!

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Reyes: Your renewed ideals, your collectibles, your airborne man-cave, surrounding yourself with young, attractive agents. You're having a mid-life crisis.
Coulson: More an afterlife thing, really.
Reyes: And I'm not going to even mention the red Corvette.
Coulson: Her name's Lola.

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Skye: I read the safety pamphlet.
Ward: I think you may be the first.

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Coulson: Yeah, we're gonna have to kill the fish tank.

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Questions and Comments:

If S.H.I.E.L.D.'s insurance covers hijacking under incidentals, what is the loss of an entire base caused by an angry Asgardian covered under?

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Poor 'Sneezy', the first casualty in the battle above Peru.

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Would the life raft really plug the hole and not be sucked out? That's something the MythBusters need to test.

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Who/what is the Rising Tide? Why are they going dark? And how important is Skye to them?

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Theories

Whenever Tahiti is mentioned to Coulson, he automatically replies, "It's a magical place." It's like he is programmed to say that. Like a robot. But since we know this Coulson can bleed, I still say he's a clone and not a robot.

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'Ship Watch

Fitz is very happy to have Skye bunking next to his room. He may be in love with Simmons, but he knows his chances with her are slim-to-none. I think that Fits/Skye is the 'ship that has the most immediate possibility.

But Ward has quickly volunteered to be Skye's superior officer. Skye/Ward is inevitable, it is just going to take a while to actually happen.

"0-8-4" - Clip 1

This Season on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Tahiti - It's A Magical Place | Review: Pilot

Updated 9/25/2023

Opening Thoughts:

I went in to "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D." with high expectations, and "Pilot" exceeded my expectations!!! I knew that references were going to be made to "The Avengers" but I did not realize that nearly every movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was going to be referenced. Hopefully there were not too many references that viewers not familiar with the MCU will feel left out of the loop and not want to keep watching the show.

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Best Quotes:

Hill: A little while ago most people went to bed thinking that the craziest thing in the world was a billionaire in a flying metal suit.

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Ward: I don't think that Thor is technically a god.
Hill: Well, you haven't been near his arms.

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Coulson: I think it's a little poop with knives sticking out of it.

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Skye: With great power comes a ton of weird crap that you are not prepared to deal with.

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Simmons: I'm not Hermione!

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Ward: She's a groupie. All this hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D., tracking powers, she might as well be one of those sweaty cosplay girls crowding around Stark Tower.
Skye: What?! I would ... It was one time.

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Questions:

The guard standing near the doorway where Coulson came in to promote Ward to Level 7 - did he automatically promoted to Level 7 too, or did he already have that clearance to stand in the room with Ward and Hill?

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What is Skye's story? Why did she erase her entire identity and adopt the name 'Skye'? How deep is she into the Rising Tide organization? If she is important, is she still loyal to the group and working as a double agent in S.H.I.E.L.D.? Or if she is not as important to Rising Tide, will they try anything to get her away from Coulson and gang?

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What is Ward's family history, and why could his people skills be worse than a poop with knives sticking out of it? He obviously loves his Gramzy, but are his problems with his parents? Could he be a second or third generation S.H.I.E.L.D. agent?

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Theories:
Coulson is alive!!! Despite "being shanked by the Asgardian Mussolini" and not breathing for 8-40 seconds. All Coulson remembers is recovering in Tahiti, though those memories might not be accurate. So, how does Coulson live? My theory is that Phil Coulson did indeed die in The Avengers, and the Coulson working for S.H.I.E.L.D. now is a clone.

In place of any specific details about how Coulson could have been cloned, I am embedding the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie "The 6th Day".

[Video removed]

"The 6th Day" co-stars Michael Rooker, who joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Yondu in "Guardians of the Galaxy".

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I am guessing that Lola was made by Howard Stark after he perfected the technology he was attempting to show off at the 1942 World's Fair.

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'Ship Watch:

Obviously, the relationship between Ward and Skye is going to be a big focus of the show.

Some people feel that Coulson was flirting with Hill when he was recommending she should vacation in Tahiti. Although the exchange kind of had a flirtatious vibe, I don't think that a Coulson/Hill relationship is going to happen.

And I am going to state right here, right now: Simmons may believe that she and Fitz have a brother/sister relationship, but Fitz is in love with her. Having Simmons think of him like a brother is actually worse than being in the friend zone.

Episodes 1-3 Official Synopses

Updated 9/25/2023

"Pilot" - September 24, 2013

[I]t’s just after the battle of New York, and now that the existence of super heroes and aliens has become public knowledge, the world is trying to come to grips with this new reality. Agent Phil Coulson is back in action and has his eye on a mysterious group called the Rising Tide. In order to track this unseen, unknown enemy, he has assembled a small, highly select group of Agents from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division). The group’s first assignment together as a team finds them trying to track down an ordinary man who has gained extraordinary powers. Powers that could have devastating consequences.

"0-8-4" - October 1, 2013

Coulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents travel to Peru to investigate an object of unknown origin, codenamed 0-8-4. But when he runs into Comandante Camilla Reyes, more than just sparks fly at 30,000 feet, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Tuesday, October 1 (8:00-9:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"The Asset" – October 8, 2013

When the brilliant scientist, Dr. Franklin Hall, is kidnapped, Agent Coulson and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents must race against the clock to locate him. Skye is their only way in--pushing the team to their limits when the entire plan turns upside-down--on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Official Season One Poster