TV Review: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episode 15

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

NOTE: Join us every WEDNESDAY as we review the latest episode…

EPISODE 15: "Yes Men"

SYNOPSIS: When Coulson and his team are attacked by Lorelei—a deadly seductress who escaped from Asgard—Thor’s Lady Sif, her longtime nemesis, steps in to try to save them.

BREAKDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched this episode).

This week's episode seems to be a departure from the "Uprising" story arc that focuses on CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER and gives us a nice connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the inclusion of the lovely Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif. While not a direct continuation of THOR: THE DARK WORLD like earlier episode "The Well", this episode references the Asgardian realm directly by introducing us to Lorelei, the future love interest to Tom Hiddleston's Loki. Does this mean we can expect to see another THOR cross-over with AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future? I would bank on it.

But, "Yes Men" is not merely an episode designed to satiate the fans who have lost faith in Joss Whedon's series. It both furthers our understanding of the Coulson/Skye mythology the show is developing while featuring some kick ass superhero action. The episode title refers to Lorelei's power over men which she used on a newlywed at the end of last week's episode. In the opening, Lorelei uses her powers to entrance an entire biker gang to help her do her bidding. MAGIC CITY hottie Elene Satine plays Lorelei as a temptress not to be messed with. I could easily see the sexy actress take the role to the big screen alongside Hiddleston if we ever get a Loki solo film.

But where the episode really picks up is with the arrival of Sif. Jaimie Alexander is perfection, per usual, as she joins up with the split S.H.I.E.L.D. squad. Coulson, after a flashback to his surgery, has enlisted Agent Jasper Sitwell to help him find Nick Fury to try and get some answers. Fury's whereabouts are unknown which may be leading into the events of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. In the meantime, Skye has awoken thanks to the alien serum she was injected with last episode. The serum itself is a contentious item in this episode as Coulson, Fitz, Simmons, and Skye all seem to be at odds as to the origin of the blue alien and what the serum actually is. Coulson even asks Sif about her knowledge of blue beings to which she mentions Kree and Frost Giants but neither has been to Earth recently.

Lorelei's desire on Earth is to enslave mankind and the team has to stop her. While the biker gang is a somewhat goofy diversion, it is not until she shows down with the team and takes Ward under her spell that the meat of the episode arrives. Ward takes Lorelei to Caesar's Palace ("a place fit for a queen") and proceeds to sleep with her. Ward is definitely the unexpected slut of the series, but it does serve a purpose. Lorelei and Ward make their way back to The Bus and she takes Fitz under her spell. While there, the showdown between everyone occurs. Ward holds May at gunpoint and Lorelei reveals that Ward showed her who he desires and it is not May, obviously alluding to his feelings for Skye. A fight breaks out and Sif and Lorelei have a showdown.

Sif and Lorelei exchange blows with Lorelei challenging Sif's feelings for Thor which fall on empty ears as Sif kicks all sorts of ass. While tempting Sif to kill her, Sif instead takes Lorelei into custody with the aim to return her to her Asgardian cell. With everyone safe and sound, Sif thanks Coulson and the team and returns with her prisoner. All seems fine and dandy, but now we need to pick up the pieces from the chaos Lorelei has brought.

At this point, May and Ward are done. Their romance is at an end and now Ward must deal with his feelings for Skye. May also pushes Coulson into explaining what he saw in the previous episode to Skye. As he shares what he knows, Skye doesn't seem phased by the extraordinary events, but Coulson does make a promise that he will break rank and S.H.I.E.L.D. code to find out the answers about the serum and the blue creature no matter what. This may be the beginning of the "Uprising" arc as the episode comes to a close with Melinda May listening to Coulson and Skye's conversation and reporting to an unknown S.H.I.E.L.D. superior.

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE REFERENCES:

Loads of Asgardian references due to the inclusion of Lady Sif. Sif invokes both Thor, the events of THOR, and Lorelei's escape due to the Dark Elves attacking Asgard in THOR: THE DARK WORLD. Sif also mentions the Frost Giants and Kree having been the only creatures she is aware of having been to Earth. Nick Fury's name is invoked again. Agent Sitwell makes an appearance.

BEST LINE:

"He knows." – Melinda May revealing her true colors on a secure line.

COOLEST SCENE:

The showdown between Lorelei and Sif may not have had the grand scale it could have had in a feature film, but it still presented one of the best sequences we have seen thus far on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

DO WE (REALLY) KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO COULSON YET? OR WHAT SKYE'S POWER IS? OR WHO THE CLAIRVOYANT IS?

No progress with the Clairvoyant this week, but Coulson and Skye get their secrets forwarded along. Both want the truth about their pasts but are embracing that something unique has happened to both of them. May's ulterior motives lend creedence to the fact that Coulson may be the only one in the dark regarding his resurrection.

EPISODE CLEARANCE LEVEL: 8/10

Another good episode gives us our third in a row from the series. The direct connection to the THOR films definitely gives this episode a more Marvel feel, but that was also due to Jaimie Alexander's performance. What truly makes this episode stand out is the developing Coulson and Skye plotlines which are finally becoming interesting. My biggest detraction for this episode is the reveal that Ward and Skye are going to get together at some point because it is just so damn on the nose. I was hoping that the writers would have been a little more creative than that, but I will forgive it for now as I am completely hooked to find out what the hell happened to Coulson.