Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episode 1 "Pilot" Discussion Thread

[Raiden]

I don't think I had high expectations for it to be like a Marvel movie. I think I would've just liked it to be on par with some of the other TV shows. I think even Hawaii Five-0's pilot was stronger and set up the characters better. I also recall more action too.

And Buffy's pilot was stronger than AoS I think. I won't mention Angel because that was running off the momentum of Buffy so Angel's pilot was more like just a continuation of its parent series.

SHIELD wasn't bad, but it was a bit lacklustre even if it weren't a Marvel-related show.

I think AOS faces greater obstacle as an Avengers' "spin-off" than if it was a standalone series. Even though it has the fan-favorite Agent Coulson, and a cameo from Maria Hill, it doesn't bring back any of the Avengers and the pilot has to introduce 5 new characters we've never met before. As I said, it wasn't perfect and Whedon probably could have done a better job, but I think this is a series that will get stronger as it found its footing and purpose going forward. I found the cast likeable, and the chemistry will get better as we get to know them better. The challenge will be to find worthy villains to battle each week, even though they seemed to be taken after the models of crime-scene series more than a show about superheroes.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I really enjoyed this first episode. I had heard mixed reports, with some of the negativity perhaps coming from expecting something amazing from Joss Whedon and ending up disappointed. But even in his classic shows, Whedon has never been known for his amazing pilots: the strength of his shows has always been about how the characters grow on you over the course of developing episodes. And in its ensemble I think it's going to do very well. Yes, there's a degree of "network pretty" in the casting, enhanced by that ABC glossy sheen. But the characters are written very well in that classic Whedon manner, where every member off he ensemble has a personality and quirks beyond a strictly functional role. Every character is interesting, or potentially interesting, and just about everyone has a secret that makes us want to learn more about them in future episodes. Overall, a strong opener, with scope for further improvement as the season progresses.

 

[NanaT]

I liked the Pilot it wasn't great and it could do without the annoying Fitz character but overall very good. I loved Ming-Na Wen. I'm getting a really good vibe from her. I really disliked the Ward character but that's expected I usually dislike the pretty boy, know-it-all, loner types.

My fave character has got to be Coulson though, I do hope they get him to do some action in the show. There's a reason that guy is a Shield Agent. Looking forward to the next episode but I have a feeling the ensemble is too big and that by next season if not later this season, we're going to have a few character deaths.

Also loved the cameo from Cobie Smulders and was shocked to see Extremis referenced as explicitly as it was. I do sometimes marvel at how cohesive and this universe is becoming, even though you could easily understand the episode without watching IM3 it does make you happy that you did watch it and that you're in the loop. Especially as Extremis isn't really explained. I wonder if they'll be other nods to Thor 2 and Winter Soldier. Probably not but we'll see.

 

[Dr. Evil]

The only way I see any connection to Winter Soldier in regards to this show is if Emily Van Camp appears as Sharon Carter.

 

[Dark Raven]

I hope Emily Van Camp does appear in the show. She could easily do it since she's already on an ABC show. She just has to change out of her outfit and walk down the hall to another stage, or to be fun, keep the same outfit she's wearing in Revenge and show up like that in SHIELD. It's not like the agents wouldn't ever be seen out of uniform.

 

[Mr. Dent]

The only way I see any connection to Winter Soldier in regards to this show is if Emily Van Camp appears as Sharon Carter.

...this show will be extremely connected to Winter Soldier. In fact, I think the core mystery behind this show is tied directly to what will be happening and revealed in Winter Soldier.

Also, don't forget Sebastian Stan already has a role on another ABC show just like VanCamp. If they wanted to they could easily have him make an appearance in the show as well.

 

[S. Grundy]

The only way I see any connection to Winter Soldier in regards to this show is if Emily Van Camp appears as Sharon Carter.

Spoiler

There is supposed to be this big shake up regarding S.H.I.E.L.D. in CA2, so that would obviously carry over into the TV series.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Spoiler

There is supposed to be this big shake up regarding S.H.I.E.L.D. in CA2, so that would obviously carry over into the TV series.

Spoiler

I am still of the belief that Maria Hill is going to replace Nick Fury as director of SHIELD. That's not going to affect the show all that much.

 

[jonathancrane]

Spoiler

I am still of the belief that Maria Hill is going to replace Nick Fury as director of SHIELD. That's not going to affect the show all that much.

Well said. Considering that Hill has a presence in the show, unlike Fury, it will not be that much of a change.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Well said. Considering that Hill has a presence in the show, unlike Fury, it will not be that much of a change.

Spoiler

I am saying this because I am not buying the rumors about Robert Redford's character. I know he said "villain" but that could mean a member of the council that was seen in the Avengers or someone who represents bureaucracy.

I think that it's Zola controlling the Winter Soldier.

 

[Lunar_Wolf]

Good episode, but tries a little too hard at being quirky and funny. Gregg Clark is fantastic. Looks like Coulson did die in Avengers.

 

[Mr. Dent]

Spoiler

I am still of the belief that Maria Hill is going to replace Nick Fury as director of SHIELD. That's not going to affect the show all that much.

Spoiler

Nick Fury is in Avengers 2, so no. And furthermore, that wouldn't even be close to the biggest fallout or revelation in Cap 2.

 

[Second Son]

It had it's cheesy moments, but overall I really enjoyed the pilot and laughed out loud at most of the humor. You got introduced to the team and saw a bit of what kind of missions they will be doing. As a pilot episode, I thought it covered all the right bases. Things will obviously be fleshed out in later episodes, but some comments I've read elsewhere are treating the pilot like the show's first season and not the show's first episode.

I guess the extreme hype is causing some backlash of disappointment from some. However, I thought it was a good pilot and I'm really looking forward to next week. A lot of potential with this show.

 

[Havok83]

Daisy Johnson is the Director of SHIELD in the comics right now, and she's also Fury's hand-picked successor. She's 19 years old, so Skye is not that hard to buy.

She's really only 19? I thought she was like late 20s

 

[Herolee10]

She's really only 19? I thought she was like late 20s

Actually, she's 21.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Well Sam Jackson has said that he would be willing to appear on a few episodes of the show as Nick Fury. I guess it comes down to how much it would cost to get him to do it. I am sure he isn't charging as much as say RDJ so its a possiblity in the future.

 

[Green Goblin]

Ooops gave it 7/10.I think it deserves a 6/10, not quite level 7 .

My main problem was it's balance between humor and seriousness but I still enjoyed it.

 

[darthcoolness3]

According to the Marvel Movie timeline: this episode is after The Avengers and during Iron Man 3 since it had someone affected by the Extremis virus.

 

[Mr. Dent]

Extremis was around before the beginning of Iron Man 3 so that doesn't mean it takes place during it.

 

[Lord]

I thought the show took place after

 

[Hyde]

Yeah I thought so too. Got the impression that Extremis is being sold on the black market after the events of IM3

 

[Mr. Dent]

It's clear from the multiple cases of explosions that Extremis was on sale long before the beginning of IM3.

 

[Hyde]

What do you mean? I can only recall the Chad Davis one in Tennessee.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

There were a several different occurences on the map

 

[Xeno]

It's clear from the multiple cases of explosions that Extremis was on sale long before the beginning of IM3.

Extremis wasn't on sale because it was too dangerous. All of the people who exploded were test subjects lured in by Killian and then sent off in their volatile state. They were ex-soldiers who had lost limbs in combat and were enticed by the prospect of Extremis regrowing their body parts. Killian and Maya Hansen were using the test subjects in their attempts to perfect Extremis and eliminate its explosive "glitch".

The scientists running that illegal lab in AOS may turn out to be rogue elements of AIM, out to make a killing of their own by combining Extremis with other technologies and selling powers.