Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4 was a bit of a let-down for me, but I understood why it had to be a let-down. Certain storytelling devices needed to be used early on in the season, but I think the series creators sacrificed substance for emotion. I also had a major WTF? moment.
Not happy with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4
Storytelling Devices
When telling an ensemble story, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., creators have to use certain devices (tricks) which will bring closure to certain personality and conflict issues while adding more personality and conflict issues. These issues help to define characters as we typically understand characters through how they deal with the world around them and hurdles which need to be overcome.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 4 and Storytelling Devices
Think about how Skye and Agent Coulson apparently settled their differences in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4. This was to add more cohesion to the team and give the viewers more of an emotional tie to both Skye and Agent Coulson.
Agent May needs to be solidified as a team player. An example was given of a worst-case scenario of a person who was not acting as a team player to give her an example. The device was fairly predictable as non-team players always learn from a worst-case scenario.
In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4, we found something from Agent Coulson’s past creeping up on him to show how he has changed. Storytellers often show how things could be better or worse by delving into the leader’s past. Those on the team are supposed to find comfort from things being better now or things being worse now and gain a better acceptance of the leader’s humanity.
The show was not initially picked up for an entire season. Since Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4 fell into a tryout period, creators had to use as many plot devices as possible to gain the most connections possible with fans. I expect these devices to be regurgitated throughout the next few episodes until the full schedule of the series section has been passed.
My Major WTF? Moment from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Episode 4
When Fitz, Simmons, and Skye were in the van in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode 4, they blew off the possibility of being able to predict the future or any other psionic power. Really? You have a person who can turn himself into a giant green monster through radiation, a super soldier who was frozen in ice for a few generations and survived, a man with a super suit which can knock out buildings, and a demigod running around the planet, and you don’t think psionic powers are possible? The world was just attacked by aliens who had an alliance with a demigod from another dimension and you don’t believe in psionic powers? Really?
