Geek Scope: Agents of SHIELD 1.13

Geek Scope uses 25 years of otherwise useless Marvel comics continuity to look for tidbits in TV and movies that the average non-geek might miss.

A solid episode tonight with some building blocks that give me hope for the future. Now, thanks to the publicity grab last week, we already knew that Deathlok was coming and tonight you could say that we saw his birth. The one little bonus for the geeks was the introduction of Cybertek Systems, Inc.. As you can see in the picture above, Cybertek is a division of Roxxon Oil (Marvel's resident big, bad corporation that is always up to something shady). In this case, Cybertek is the developer of the Deathlok tech. Apart from the eye implant that Mike Peterson already has, his new leg is Deathlok's first piece of cybernetic gear. Here's to hoping that the transformation continues and we get a character that is visually close to the Deathlok of the comics. Because, if that happens... awesome is the word for that. Now for the quick hitters...

  • The cybernetic leg was impressive! After seeing that, I might actually believe this Deathlok is going to be the one we know from the comics.
  • The Stan Lee cameo:  we can do better than that.
  • Ward and Coulson trying to operate the Holotable. Best scene in the show. The Ward character actually showed some signs of life there.
  • We saw the debut of what from this moment forward will be referred to as "the cleavage suit" for Melinda May. Ratings ploys all over the place. (BTW, 50 years old? Kudos to you, Ming Na Wen.)
  • Fitz and Skye followed those cars on foot?  Uhh...
  • SPOILER:  Skye will be okay. She's the 0-8-4, remember?
  • I liked Ward going all two-guns Matrix-style when he walked into the house.
  • A Ward/Coulson rift? They got beef. Where are we headed with that?
  • Next episode is March 4th. March 4th?? Are we doing one episode a month now?

If the full push is on to build/retain ratings for AoS, this on and off scheduling is curious. Let's hope it doesn't hurt the audience. Anyway, I guess we'll see you back here on March 4th.