Agents of SHIELD S2Ep13 ‘One Of Us’ Review

The second season of Agents of SHIELD has already seen a lot of action, but somehow it also feels slow. Fans have complained about the little character development or solid plot development. This weeks episode ‘One Of Us’ just like last week also suffers from these deficiencies but there does seem to be movement towards better balanced character development. For one thing the impact of Skye’s new super powers has had a pronounced effect on Coulson’s team. After Fitz tried to hide her condition Simmons has come to distrust him. For May the difficulties in dealing with Skye has lead her to consult her ex-husband, a psychoanalyst. For both the team and for viewers this finally leads to a little bit of background knowledge on a character that has been a fan favorite. With the ratings of the show still too low for comfort Agents of SHIELD will have to offer more such moments to entice viewers to watch. Sadly, this episode just like the previous one offers only fickle plot development. The introduction of the ‘R.E.A.L. S.H.I.E.L.D’ makes it feel as though what has happened on the show so far during season 2 is pointless.

Agents of SHIELD S2Ep13 ‘One Of Us’ Review

Cal recruits dangerous individuals from S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Gifted Index to settle his vendetta. Coulson and Morse investigate, and Coulson soon realizes that they have traveled to his hometown of Manitowoc, where they have seized the local school stadium. Meanwhile, as Skye attempts to cope with her abilities, May goes to Dr. Andrew Garner, her ex-husband and a psychoanalyst, to help work with Skye. During one of Garner’s talks with Skye, Coulson requests back-up, prompting May to fly the Bus with Garner and Skye on board. At the stadium, Coulson is confronted by Cal, while May arrives bluffing to execute Skye. In the stand-off, Gordon suddenly appears and leaves with Cal. As Coulson’s team subdue Cal’s group, Skye starts causing tremors. She manages to stop, but she sustains mysterious bruises and collapses. After she awakes, it is revealed that she was only directing her abilities inward, causing injuries throughout her body. Elsewhere, Mack has been in hiding with Hunter, with Morse covering for their absence, and Hunter is eventually brought to a place that Mack claims is “the real S.H.I.E.L.D.”. Meanwhile, Cal has been taken into an unknown location by Gordon.

Conclusion

After the supposed destruction of HYDRA it was only a matter of time before the issue of rebuilding SHIELD would be used for plot development. Hunter’s inquiries into what Mack and Bobbi are up to is a prelude to the two organizations going head-to-head for supremacy. Apparently the show’s creators thought that merely concentrating on finding the Kree artifacts would not keep viewers returning. They are probably right. That said, I can only hope the confrontation won’t be predictable. From Coulson’s inquiries into where Hunter was what he seemed to sense that Bobbi was hiding something. If Ward has not joined Cal in the fight against SHIELD it can only mean he has joined the REAL SHIELD.

The personal revelations about Melinda May were good enough to make up for the otherwise drought in character development. Despite Fitz’s involvement in Skye’s powers it does seem that both he and Simmons are still secondary characters. Sadly, they are starting to feel more and more superfluous with each passing episode. Cal’s gang of moronic gifter added a nice humorous touch to the episode. Sadly, it is not something that can last without becoming ridiculous.

Score; 7.8 / 10. A good episode that attempts to set the stage for next week’s introduction of REAL SHIELD.

Below you can view the preview for ‘Love in the Time of Hydra’…