An old friend returns and a hero falls as things heat up within the Framework on Agents of SHIELD.
ThisAgents of SHIELDreview contains spoilers.
But now, within the Framework of AIDA and Doctor Radcliffe, things feel like a classic SHIELD tale.
And what a tale it is.
Pure HYDRA versus SHIELD action like Stan and Jack created.
But unlike past seasons, this HYDRA versus SHIELD war is not overshadowed by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In this weeks episode, we have a good news bad news situation for SHIELD fans.
The good news is that we saw the return of the late and lamented Agent Tripp!
He served with SHIELD in the first season of the show and became very close with Skye.
Well, Framework Tripp made his debut this week and is damn good to see him.
But kids, she doesnt remain powerless for long.
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But where we have a return we also have a tragic and painful farewell.
Simmons, Patriot, Coulson, and Ward stage a rescue mission to extract Tripp.
You see, May is dosed with the same super steroid that enhances Director Mace in the real world.
Patriot is able to defeat May and it is still weird to see evil Melinda May in action.
The episode did a really good job creating subtle contrasts between real world May and Framework May.
Framework May fights with an ugly brutality that contrasts the real Mays grace.
But evil May loses and Patriot is able to stage a rescue of the kids held by HYDRA.
Tragically, this brave act leads to Patriots death.
While saving a kid (a kid that used to be a student of Coulsons), Patriot falls.
It is one of the most haunting deaths in the history of the show.
In fact, Id put it right up there with Lincolns death from last season.
In the episodes stinger, May frees Daisy and brings her a gift.
But Framework Fitz may very well be irredeemable.
This Fitz has one thing in his life the real world Fitz doesnt and thats a father.
Both father and son are fiercely loyal to HYDRA with the younger Fitz in love with Madame HYDRA.
Seeing May wake up definitely provides some hope, but Fitz really is a grade A heel.
Theres so much more going on in the episode as well.
Theres Mack trying to redeem himself after betraying Daisy.
And oh, Coulson breaks out in hives when he sees Ward?
Thats some funny stuff right there.
This Framework arc has broughtAgents of SHIELDto lofty heights and I really cant wait to see what happens next.
So at least that can keep you warm as you cry your eyes out over Maces TV death.
Man, that hurt.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
