At the highest level, someone is working not only as a show runner, integrating the overall plot line for the series, but as a universe runner. Turn, Turn, Turn integrates beautifully with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which should be seen prior to this episode. Not only is Agents of SHIELD flowing as a single, coherent plot line (for the most part), the Marvel on-screen universe is well integrated as story lines intertwine.
Of course, when any motion picture comes along with which an ongoing show is so tightly intertwined and major pieces of the universe shift, the show itself must shift, which may be a positive thing for AoS. It may provide more of a goal for the show to strive toward.
On a more detailed level, however, the show itself was rough in patches. The writers didn't seem able to push forward the plot without following the Cartoon Villain Handbook, resulting in a couple rounds of monologuing. Rather than showing the audience the story, letting us put the pieces together and making us feel a part of it, they must instead explain the story to us. While that's far easier for the writers to do, it's also far less satisfying for the audience to watch. There were also just a few moments in the choreography that were rather unrealistic such as when major figures perform a cool-looking maneuver that leaves them completely open and all-too likely to be shot. That last one, I'll admit, may be nitpicking for a comic-book universe.
Additionally, there were a few moments when the tone shifted wrongly. First, one character had to wrestle with his emotions at an inappropriate and unlikely moment as well as in a way that failed to fit characterization. Second, the resolution was painted over with slow-motion scenes, facial close-ups, and dramatic music that were forced. Music should heighten the emotional content of a scene, not dictate it.
So at the level of the integration of Marvel's on-screen universe, this was a nicely put together and excellently timed piece, and if that were all I were attending to, I'd give this 8/10. But at the level of the individual episode, I can't escape it's flaws, which would have rated it 5/10.
It will be interesting to see where they take things from here as they pick up where Captain America left off. But more than anything, that opening sequence really needed more cow bell.
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