With the recent success of shows like Marvel’s Daredevil and Marvel’s Jessica Jones , it’s no surprise that ABC is preparing a spin-off of their weekly Marvel program Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. As we discover in this week’s episode, some members of S.H.I.E.L.D. will make a major sacrifice that will ultimately lead to the beginning of Marvel’s Most Wanted .
It was established last week that the SHIELD organization would continue to work unofficially with the approval of the president of the United States. Hydra leader Gideon Malick was housing Hive (currently giving life to the body of Grant Ward) and awaits the Inhuman’s plans. Meanwhile, Malick wants the Russian government to build a “reservation” for Inhumans so that a potential army will be rounded up for him to exploit. Bobbi “Mockingbird” Morse and Lance Hunter have stowed away on his jet and the episode begins with the couple in on the heels of Malick and his posse.
Tomorrow on Marvel’s #AgentsofSHIELD , nothing will ever be the same. https://t.co/l7CuaWsyo3
— Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (@AgentsofSHIELD) March 21, 2016
The constant flashbacks and flash-forwards add a little confusion to what turns out to be arguably the most emotional episode of Agents of SHIELD to date. The following contains spoilers for the episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 3, Episode 13, “Parting Shot”) that aired March 22 on ABC.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is on a mission
The Russian prime minister wants to shut down the site where the Inhumans are being housed. He sends his attaché to deliver this message to Malick and company. When the attaché encounters Russian Minister of Defense General Androvich, the general does not like the position on Inhumans taken by the prime minister — because Androvich is an inhuman himself — and he simply kills the attaché. Along with Russian delegate Anton Petrov who has been helping Malick, they plan to kill the Russian prime minister and stage a military coup.
Go behind the scenes of Marvel’s @AgentsofSHIELD with VFX Supervisor Mark Kolpak! https://t.co/xfpH4NwHDl . pic.twitter.com/PSiU7I6BTc
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) March 22, 2016
Thanks in large part to the infiltration of Bobbi and Lance, the mission is ultimately a success, as the Russian prime minister is saved and the Inhuman General with shadow-powers is killed by Mockingbird. Phil Coulson and the POTUS vouch for the couple in front of the Russian PM, claiming SHIELD does not exist and that Morse and Hunter do not work for any U.S. government agency.
Mockingbird and Lance Hunter say farewell to S.H.I.E.L.D.
With the president and Coulson both lying to the prime minister, SHIELD is immediately forced to act as if they have no connection with Lance and Bobbi. In an incredibly teary “spy’s goodbye,” each of the six core members of SHIELD send anonymous whiskey shots to their former cohorts.
Bobbi prefers giving the orders. #AgentsofSHIELD is all-new tonight! https://t.co/nydVTlQuKL
— Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (@AgentsofSHIELD) March 22, 2016
They had talked throughout the episode about the fact that their occupation never allows for a true vacation. Now they’ll be forced to take one. As Entertainment Weekly noted, this sets the stage for Marvel’s Most Wanted , an ABC spin-off centered around Mockingbird and Hunter.
The evolution of the enemy
While he was ultimately defeated, the Inhuman general had the ability to use his shadow with a dark-matter-infused force to fight completely separately from his body. Unable to fight back against the shadow, he was taking on Daisy, Bobbi, and Mack with no problem. Unfortunately for the Inhuman, when Bobbi shoots and kills his human body, the shadow dies as well.
EXCUSE ME AGENTS OF SHIELD WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO DAISY #AgentsofSHIELD pic.twitter.com/PmgpWbx39a
— Rachel ? (@Wershield) March 13, 2016
Hive is scarcely mentioned in this episode, and goes completely unseen. However, the final scene showed Gideon Malick and his daughter shooting skeet. The attractive blonde is aware of Hive and is anxious to meet him.
Next week
The following teaser/trailer has been released for next week’s episode, entitled “Watchdogs.”
Where to watch
ABC airs Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tuesday evenings at 9/8c. The five most recent episodes of S.H.I.E.L.D. are available at ABC’s website. Beginning Wednesdays, replays of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can also be streamed on-demand with a Hulu Plus Subscription. The first two seasons of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can be streamed on-demand through Netflix.
[Image via ABC ]
