Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Season 2, Episode 2 Review


While I wasn't keen on the opening episode of Season 2, Agents of SHIELD has certainly picked-up in terms of quality with Friday's episode "Heavy is the Head".
Not only do the set-ups from the previous installment continue to build, but we also re-visit old favorites such as Raina, who has a welcome return. Actress Ruth Negga is fantastic in the role, and proves to be menacing, evil and twisted despite seeming sweet and innocent. Raina is a character that the writers clearly enjoy developing her, and her crossing of HYDRA this episode for a mysterious man at the end (Skye's father, I'm assuming) provides some interesting elements.
We also continue the arc of Coulson's symbols on the wall - something last episode mentioned vaguely despite being the cliffhanger to Season 1. While I'm not sure where the series is going with the arc, I'm glad it hasn't been forgotten about.
This episode does feel like Episode 1 Part 2, with the cliffhanger from last time being resolved, the use of the same villain-of-the-week and the continuing of themes and story-line. The character of Hunter is developed further, and while he is still boring and cliched, at least he's given some depth missing from Episode 1. His back story is explored and so is his relationship with Izzy. Its almost comical that the underdeveloped third man in their party is barely mentioned after his death last week.
I do feel that the cast is too large though. While Fitz and Mack get some wonderful scenes together, May gets to do more this time round and Coulson feels like a much more active director of SHIELD, Skye feels underused, the Crusher still feels a bit too villain-of-the-week despite getting an extra episode, Talbot is as bland as he was from his first episode and Triplett might as well be forgotten about. I'm amazed that BJ Britt isn't in the main cast yet (possibly signifying his death [please no]).
The increase in CGI this season continues and is pretty solid in quality throughout, the direction and cinematography is great (as it usually is for Agents of SHIELD) and Ben McCreary's music is fantastic as usual (soundtrack please, Marvel).
While I do feel the darker tone isn't quite working in Agents of SHIELD's favor as of yet, this is certainly an improvement over Episode 1. 7/10

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