Il y has something to ask after you have been able to watch the entirety of this first season of MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S. H. I. E. L. D. : is this series had potential and has proved to be disappointing, or is this series disappointing still has potential ? Born out of the success of the film world Marvel, and directly linked to the culmination of phase 1 of the deployment of this universe (I speak of course of the AVENGERS), the series was on paper a good chance of working.
In fact, in addition to its affiliation with a world already built (and with a certain success with the public), she was at the helm of the family Whedon, recently promoted to chief conductor of the cinematographic saga, but also used the media of television via such a success as BUFFY THE VAMPIRE slayer, but also through ANGEL, FIREFLY or DOLLHOUSE. Series choral action fun (yes, I just created a new sub-genre of television series) are in fact part of their know-how in general, even if the success is not always at the rendezvous. In addition, the choice to initiate the transition to the small screen via a secondary character of the universe movie, which already had the favors of the public, the agent Coulson always played by Clark Gregg with a palette of the game a bit broader than in the films, and created and basic first storyline interesting for the fans following the events of the AVENGERS, was also well thought out. And more “structural”, to create a series of Marvel on secret agents was also more appropriate to do a series of super-hero, having regard to the financial means available on the networks compared to the film including special effects.
“An aftertaste of missed appointments.”
We will regret very quickly, however, a lack of ambition in the first half of the season because after a driver efficient enough (directed by Joss Whedon himself), the series became embroiled in intrigues basic worthy of the worst television productions of the 90’s and you will quickly see that the main characters turn out to be quite limited level of interest and interactions. I do not hide that despite my affection for the world of the comic-book as well as the Marvel universe film, I was ready to let go of the series in mid-season during the winter break, wondering already how I could hold up there hand to receive the fan-service offered by this show.
The good surprise, or even of hope, is coming in this second part of the season with (finally) plot for finding the interest on the length and benefitting from the foundations laid at the beginning of the series, with a bond noticeable in the quality of the writing when taking account of the consequences of the events of the last Marvel movie to date, CAPTAIN AMERICA THE SOLDIER OF WINTER, between the 16th and the 17th episode. Level game actor, it should not ask for much : because of the tone of semi-comedy Marvel but without any real dramatic intensity before the end of the season, we are witnessing a competition of histrionics and caricature of commonplaces in regard to the definition of hero. You can find it at the limit likeable, but very often distressing.
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S. H. I. E. L. D. has an aftertaste of missed appointments. The potential is there and it can still be revealed in season 2 but this is because of a requirement more important (or fatigue ?) linked to the multiplication of adaptations on screen stories from comic-books or because of some artistic choices (casting, script) misses, we can only be disappointed by this first adaptation for the small screen of the audiovisual world and Marvel.
• Number of episodes : 22
• Format : 42 minutes
• Date of 1st broadcast, US : September 24, 2013 (ABC)
• Date of 1st broadcast EN : Not determined (M6)
• Release Date DVD : Not determined
• Distributor : Not determined
• Original title : Marvel’s Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D.
• Creating : Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen
• With Clark Gregg, Chloe Benet, Ming-Na Wen, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker, Brett Dalton
• Synopsis : The adventures active members of the “Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, better known under the name of “S. H. I. E. L. D.”.