Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - S2E6 "A Fractured House"

[Arrowshieldfan]

Assume that Talbot has been given command to lead any U.S. armed forces in operations against both SHIELD and Hydra.

I think you are right since senator ward mention he got the US armed force committee to give Talbot special powers......

 

[TheVileOne]

I was a little weirded out seeing the SHIELD agents handing the thugs off to Talbot. I get that Talbot has a bit of a complicated relationship with Coulson and SHIELD, and Talbot did not believe the UN terrorists were SHIELD agents. However, technically the SHIELD agents are still fugitives from the US government and Talbot was going after them.

I dunno, it seems like some scenes or progression with that relationship were filmed and never shown on TV. Because now it seems like Talbot is acting like some sort of unofficial liaison between the government and the underground SHIELD network.

I did find it interesting that SHIELD was a secret organization before the battle for New York and that's when they revealed themselves.

 

[flickchick85]

I did find it interesting that SHIELD was a secret organization before the battle for New York and that's when they revealed themselves.

Yeah, I found that comment interesting as well. It seems like in the pre-Avengers MCU, SHIELD was an organization that some people knew existed, but no one knew anything about. Because we know Dr. Selvig was familiar with them, but only that they got involved with whatever Banner was into before he disappeared. I guess when people did hear something about them, they just assumed they were some obscure little branch of the government bureaucracy or something.

Another related development I'm finding interesting is how Hydra plasters their logo all over all their stuff now. Like they aren't even trying to be covert anymore. I mean, I know they just "came out of the shadows" and everything, but strategically that just doesn't seem wise for an evil espionage organization that's being hunted to me.

 

[Gr0oT]

I wonder if they have Hydra brand water bottles.
Swear to god SHIELD did.
Water bottles with SHIELD labels!
Garbage pails with SHIELD logos!
Why?!

Seeing Hydra head in that direction is even more facepalm worthy, they should focus on better uniforms instead of branding everything they own.

 

[Arrowshieldfan]

I was a little weirded out seeing the SHIELD agents handing the thugs off to Talbot. I get that Talbot has a bit of a complicated relationship with Coulson and SHIELD, and Talbot did not believe the UN terrorists were SHIELD agents. However, technically the SHIELD agents are still fugitives from the US government and Talbot was going after them.

I dunno, it seems like some scenes or progression with that relationship were filmed and never shown on TV. Because now it seems like Talbot is acting like some sort of unofficial liaison between the government and the underground SHIELD network.

I did find it interesting that SHIELD was a secret organization before the battle for New York and that's when they revealed themselves.

I think Talbot was just under Senator Ward orders.....this does not mean he hates SHIELD......maybe he slowly have a change of heart and choosing to side with Coulson.......I mean why did he get the info that Senator Ward has a brother who is HYDRA!

I think SHIELD will return under Coulson's leadership as a secret organization that would be under no govenment control which would be funded and protected by Tony Stark later on.

 

[chronos]

The way I kind of look at it is SHIELD pre-Battle of NY was like the NSA pre 9/11, they were around, and some people were aware of them but they weren't a household name. Then after a huge disaster, they were pushed more into the limelight.

 

[Human Torch]

While I don't believe he's working with Ward, I also don't believe they were his own men. My guess is that was the transfer point when he was placed in the van and those are Federal agents taking him to trial.

And, fwiw, it might help explain the use of regular handcuffs. Assuming SHIELD still has them, they might not want the Federal government to get them.

I didn't mind the "regular handcuffs",but only on TV do the authorities NOT handcuff people behind their back.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

Mockingbird with a StarWars T-Shirt

 

[Mike Murdock]

If you notice, some of the armed men had "FBI" on their uniforms, so this may be the case with the agents holding Grant in custody (for a while, anyway).

Yeah, and I think that makes sense. The FBI was transporting him to Federal Prison somewhere for him to stand trial (it probably should have been US Marshals, but that's a smaller point). It explains the regular handcuffs for those upset by it.

I didn't mind the "regular handcuffs",but only on TV do the authorities NOT handcuff people behind their back.

Now that's a fair point. I'm sure Grant Ward could have escaped from that as well, but they shouldn't make it too easy for him.

 

[tbg]

Yeah, and I think that makes sense. The FBI was transporting him to Federal Prison somewhere for him to stand trial (it probably should have been US Marshals, but that's a smaller point). It explains the regular handcuffs for those upset by it.



Now that's a fair point. I'm sure Grant Ward could have escaped from that as well, but they shouldn't make it too easy for him.

When transporting prisoners it is not uncommon to have them handcuffed in front, but there is also a 2nd set of cuffs that connect the ones on the wrists to the floor of the vehicle, which would have still kept Ward from being able to move around.

What I'm waiting on is a reappearance of Deathlok!!!

 

[JtoDaP]

I didn't mind the "regular handcuffs",but only on TV do the authorities NOT handcuff people behind their back.

Your right there..

Love the "Netherlands" reverencet:

Really liked this episode, didn't even think about the fact that Grant Ward could be lying about his brother. Maybe he isn't but hé; didn't think about it.

The fight scené was absolutely amazing, love the introduction of Backlash in comibination with him almost killing Barton. Set him up good and proper to be a villian.

Hoping that the tatooed guy is one of the last persons to know about the weird writing.

 

[therealhitman]

Awwwww...who deleted my rant? I know it was for my own good, but really? That offensive? Traditional values? I think Cap would agree with me 100%

 

[JtoDaP]

Awwwww...who deleted my rant? I know it was for my own good, but really? That offensive? Traditional values? I think Cap would agree with me 100%

 

[Demileto]

didn't even think about the fact that Grant Ward could be lying about his brother. Maybe he isn't but hé; didn't think about it.

Heh, you can be sure a lot of Ward haters loved to hear Christian say that about Grant. That said, though, the big problem about the possibility of Grant being an all-out psychopath is precisely the well scene Christian dismissed as a lie, because it was shown to us on screen as a buried memory being relived by the power of the berserker staff instead of a tale being narrated by him to Skye and/or the team. The flashback gives credibility to Grant's talk of Christian being a sociopath and that he abused him and Thomas his whole family life, to suddenly reveal that Grant is indeed a psychopath his haters want him to be would go against every hint that the showrunners have been laying since the series began.

As for why they didn't remotely hint the monster that hides behind Christian's public face, I have a couple of reasons:

a)this is a plot that they wanted to being laying the seeds now, but fully intend to explore later, likely on the second half of season 2. The first half, IIRC, is meant to be 10 episodes long and we're already on episode 6, there's little to no room to develop this now when the team is with their hands full with the threat of Whitehall/The Diviner, Coulson's mysterious writings and Skye's father;

b)they're going to show us in a big way just how much of a monster Christian really is under the skin. They simply have to if they hope to get through even the haters that Ward was so much damaged by his older brother that he clung to Garrett like his life depended on it. If I had to guess, this'll probably not bode well for Fitz, with his relationship with Ward in season 1 feeling all too much like a little brother/big brother one. Christian torturing Fitz would definitely mirror the former's torture of Thomas for Grant and the audience.

 

[JtoDaP]

Demileto thank you for refreshing my memory . But thats doesnt take awat that Grant Ward is a psychopath (created or not) as Coulson said:
He trew FitzSimmons out of a plane and killed Hand an other shield agents
I think people tend to forget that.

 

[marcvader]

I dont think that anybody is suggesting that big brother is a good guy and to be believed. They're both cut from the same cloth. Both liars and manipulators, not to be trusted.

 

[Demileto]

Demileto thank you for refreshing my memory . But thats doesnt take awat that Grant Ward is a psychopath (created or not) as Coulson said:
He trew FitzSimmons out of a plane and killed Hand an other shield agents
I think people tend to forget that.

I agree with you that Grant has a degree of psychopathy in him, just don't think he's a full blown one. He can very much kill people in cold blood, but in his own twisted way he cares for the team. He's an amazingly layered and complex character that's been a blast for me to watch, can't wait to see what they have in store for him now that he's unleashed.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I agree with you that Grant has a degree of psychopathy in him, just don't think he's a full blown one. He can very much kill people in cold blood, but in his own twisted way he cares for the team. He's an amazingly layered and complex character that's been a blast for me to watch, can't wait to see what they have in store for him now that he's unleashed.

I think a lot of people were underwhelmed by his boring good guy routine during most of S1. Those last few episodes were pretty freaking good though. I've enjoyed the character this season as well but watching him stand around in that cell was starting to wear thin.

 

[Silvermoon]

I think a lot of people were underwhelmed by his boring good guy routine during most of S1. Those last few episodes were pretty freaking good though. I've enjoyed the character this season as well but watching him stand around in that cell was starting to wear thin.

I think what is interesting was to go back and watch the series from the beginning know that we know who/what he is. It makes you look at some of the things he does a little differently

 

[Gr0oT]

I think what is interesting was to go back and watch the series from the beginning know that we know who/what he is. It makes you look at some of the things he does a little differently

Only a Hydra would be evil enough to throw away a prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella et pesto aïoli sandwich!

 

[hoy-small-fry]

Oh Bobbi, Bobbi, Bobbi. I can't take my eyes off her. Aside from her beauty, she's just so much fun to watch. All her fight seasons are outstandingly choreographed, and her banter with Hunter is always hilarious. They've really nailed her first time

Awesome episode this week. Coulson definitely has a play with Ward, but very cliché to have him escape. Maybe they're using it to find Skye's dad?

Fitz's dynamic with Simmons is interesting, but could go badly if they keep bludgeoning us with it. Mac and Fitz are such a cool team.

Really good to see the line between HYDRA and SHIELD drawn at last. It was becoming implausible that they world saw them as the same, but it makes you wonder, with new SHIELD outed to the world, when the Avengers will come knocking...?

 

[Vartha]

I wonder if they have Hydra brand water bottles.
Swear to god SHIELD did.
Water bottles with SHIELD labels!
Garbage pails with SHIELD logos!
Why?!

Seeing Hydra head in that direction is even more facepalm worthy, they should focus on better uniforms instead of branding everything they own.

bet there's even Feminine Shields with the SHIELD logo lol

 

[PunyGod]

...

 

[Marvel]

Demileto thank you for refreshing my memory . But thats doesnt take awat that Grant Ward is a psychopath (created or not) as Coulson said:
He trew FitzSimmons out of a plane and killed Hand an other shield agents
I think people tend to forget that.

I read this theory on another site...

I'm thinking the big twist will be that neither is lying. Christian said that Grant had a very off look in his eyes one moment, then was normal again the next. Sounds like programming to me. Ward thinks he wasn't brainwashed, but I'm willing to bet he was all along, and some of his memories are altered to accommodate it.

However, if it comes down to a case of one is lying and the other isn't, Christian is the liar. As previously stated, we've seen the memories through Grant's eyes, so whatever he says happened as a kid, he believes it's wholly true. Something tells me if that's the way this goes, Christian is HYDRA and is the one who arranged for them to get their hands on Grant to begin with. The angle of forcing Grant to bully their younger brother may have been a means of testing the conditioning.

Whatever the case, something about Christian's story just screams HYDRA programming. So for now, I'm going with the theory that Ward was brainwashed, just much younger than he would expect, which is why he believes he wasn't. I just know I was happy to finally see the big escape. Hate to say it guys, but I'm rooting for Ward right now. Been waiting for him to get out of that box all season.

Edit: I also got to thinking, and they dropped another heavy hint of brainwashing in this episode besides Christian's story. At the beginning when Simmons was commenting that Ward wakes at the same time every morning like clockwork, yet had no clock to wake him. I get that a person can train themselves to wake up at certain times, but that seems a bit too precise to me. It screams "programming" in my opinion. Just thought I'd toss that out there too.

Very interesting.

Ward either has a fractured mind, is a pure psychopath or has been conditioned.

 

[DN91]

I think he's been subjected to that brainwashing technique that we saw a few episodes back long before the series, even.