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

To say that 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' is intent on making sure its second season sticks firmly in the minds of viewers is an understatement. Something to examine with the new show is that Coulson and S.H.I.E.L.D. have to contend with two forms of opposition, that of HYDRA and that of Glenn Talbot and his obsession with bringing the reformed and fledgling S.H.I.E.L.D. to book.

In the comics Talbot (created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby) was just as obsessed with catching the Hulk as General "Thunderbolt" Ross. While he is not cast in the light of straight up villain, he is here to stay as both an opponent for Coulson and his team, and as a foil. And he really scratches that classic Marvel Comics itch.

As far as villains go, we are not short of them. In addition to the Absorbing Man, there is also HYDRA superior Daniel Whitehall's right man Bakshi, who is determined to keep the team from maintaining world order.

One thing to note, is the continued hinting at the Kree (major Marvel alien race) and their involvement in the Earth's affairs. The writing that appears upon the Obelisk from episode 1 is clearly Kree. This, and the Kree corpse from Season 1, and any mysteries surrounding Skye and Coulson's 'abilities' brings up the possibility that they will become versions of the Inhumans within the confines of the Marvel M-verse.

Despite the dearth of villains that appeared in this episode, I enjoyed it immensely. There was a healthy balance of good writing with fast pacing, so I never once felt bored. As the season progress's, I look forward to each new episode and what it brings.

Gotham Episode 2 Review

For a second episode of a brand new TV series, 'Selina Kyle' hits the mark in terms of intense story and furthering character development.

The main plot of the story is thus: Gotham's homeless children are being abducted by a man and a woman, collecting them to sell overseas to a mysterious figure known only as the Dollmaker. Selina Kyle, in her usually clever way, manages to escape the clutches of these two vile persons, and aids Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock in the detainment of them, and the rescue of the children.

One thing to examine from this episode is Jim Gordon's appeal to Gotham and her citizens as a 'hero cop'. Even the Mayor begrudgingly accepts Gordon's usefulness on the force, because Gordon generates good press for both the police department and his office. Despite the fact that there is a long way to go before Jim will attain the lofty position of Commissioner, here we can see the seeds being planted of his determination to make a genuine difference, for both the city and the department.

A secondary point to examine from tonight's episode, is the furthering of Gordon and Bruce Wayne's relationship. Alfred comes to Gordon to have him talk to Bruce, to try and help him get out of this mental quagmire of fear he is in. Gordon appeals to Bruce as a friend, telling him that there is no shame in being afraid, that it makes people stronger and better.

A third and final point in this episode, is the fate of Oswald Cobblepot since he was told by Gordon to stay away from Gotham. He is shown hiding out, recovering his strength, before he will begin his inevitable return to Gotham City, and begin to work making his own way in the city, starting his own empire of crime.

This second episode does well in furthering character development as previously stated. Jim, Bruce, Oswald, all of them are show changing in this episode, be it Bruce conquering fear, Jim attempting to conquer corruption in the name of change, or in the case of Oswald, conquering any self-doubt he would have had about his 'mission' to make Gotham his own.

This show never ceases to make me smile, with its writing, its pace, its characters and its obvious intent to help establish the people who will eventually become major figures in Gotham, be they hero or villain.

Agent's of SHIELD Season 2 Premier

Having just finished watching episode 1 of "Marvel's AoS" Season 2, all I can say is wow. Clearly they are going to be upping the, well everything. We open with Coulson and SHIELD (such as it is) struggling to maintain a foothold in the fight to take down the remaining HYDRA cells in the world, while getting themselves in order as what could be described as SHIELD 2.0. For Phil Coulson, that means taking on the duty given him to by Nick Fury at the end of Season 1, to be the new head of SHIELD. So far, since they can't risk taking out "The Bus" since it doesn't have cloaking technology, that means Coulson has to fly coach in his various around the world jaunts to recruit allies, gain new technological toys for SHIELD's agents, and also obtain intel about HYDRA's various placements.

Audiences are also introduced to a mercenary team headed by Isabelle Hartley (Lucy Lawless), who has been thus far working with Coulson and SHIELD. But they've got a mole on their squad. Marvel Comics supervillain Absorbing Man aka George "Crusher" Creel (Brian Patrick Wade), is in their midst, gathering intel for HYDRA, who seem to be calling the shots for the infamous bad guy. When word gets out that HYDRA is searching for another 0-8-4 artifact (just like back in Season 1 when everyone jumped on "The Bus" and flew to South America for some old HYDRA tech). But this isn't any old 0-8-4, its the FIRST 0-8-4 that was ever recovered by SHIELD, making it a prize worthy of HYDRA's attention. In the grand game of deception to infiltrate the military facility that holds the 0-8-4, Coulson and his team have to kidnap now Brigadier General Glenn Talbot (Adrian Pasdar), in order to obtain his voice patterns and fingerprints to play a little game of hacking to fly under the radar. The 0-8-4 of course turns out to be more then the team imagined, and sadly HYDRA gets away with the goodies.                          

For everyone who came into Season 2 expecting it to follow the same slow pattern that started Season 1, I hope you were surprised. Everything about this first episode made me smile, the action, the new characters, the return of old characters, the dialogue, all of it was awesome. I get the sense that Season 2 will be stronger in terms of all aspects, and I for one can not wait to see what new adventures everyone at SHIELD will face.

Gotham Pilot Episode Review

Fall is upon us ladies and gentlemen, the leaves will be turning colors, the weather will be getting colder, and the lineup of fall TV shows begins anew. And right out of the gate, Fox is hitting the nail on the head with 'Gotham', a show about Batman's legendary city, in the years before the Dark Knight and his colorful cast of secondary characters are running through its streets and across its rooftops.

The show starts off with one heck of a opening, the start to Bruce Wayne's long journey as the Batman, the death of his parents. After said murder, we are introduced to James Gordon, freshly minted detective assigned to the GCPD, Jim and his partner, Detective Harvey Bullock set out on the task of discovering who killed two of Gotham's wealthiest citizens, and along the way, we are introduced to the many other persons, who will one day become part of the Batman mythos.

Ben McKenzie steps into the role of James Gordon, and does it well. Focused, honest, wanting to make a difference in a city awash in crime. He sets the stage nicely for the man that Jim Gordon will become in later years. Stepping in a his partner and already corrupt Gotham PD Detective Harvey Bullock is Donal Logue, a man who is weary of the fight for law and order, and now only concerns himself with survival and looking out for himself.

On the other side of the law is small time crime boss Fish Mooney, played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Her character is created just for the series, but the way Smith handles her, with cleverness, tenacity and a vicious streak that surprised me, Fish Mooney fits in right at home in Gotham City, with her big plans to one day rise to the top. At her side is Oswald Cobblepot, played by Robin Lord Taylor, who honestly stood out head and shoulders above everyone else. He physically fits the character to a T, and the vicious streak beneath the gentlemanly manners brings the character to life in a terrifying way.

As for "neutral" characters, we have Bruce Wayne played by newcomer David Mazouz. While Bruce's character doesn't do much in the way of action, for plot he adds a lot of depth. This is the boy who will grow into a man, and will don the cape and cowl of one of DC Comics most well known and long lasting characters. For now, he is just a boy, his parents death fresh in his mind, and already he wishes he could have done something, made a difference. And so therein is the seed for justice sown.

Filling the role of Alfred Pennyworth, loyal butler to the Wayne family and confidant of Bruce Wayne, is Sean Pertwee, who plays Alfred as a caring, if slightly foul-mouthed Londoner who is the only thing to family Bruce has left in the world.

And rounding out the cast is Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle, who after bearing silent witness to the Wayne's murder, starts to appear in Bruce's life, quietly, like a silent guardian angel.

All in all, the show does a spectacular job for its pilot episode. I for one cannot wait for what excitement it holds in store for everyone. I am being flat out honest right now, start watching this show, I feel that it will hold nothing but good things for all who Batman fans.