Welcome to Level 7: This Week on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Episode 2 / October 1, 2013)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 2: "0-8-4"

SYNOPSIS:  While in Peru on a case with the team, Agent Coulson runs into someone from his past. 

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

The episode opens with an incredibly brief teaser showing a hole blasted in the side of the team's plane followed by Coulson hanging on for dear life.  Talk about a way to start a show.  The episode then flashes back 19 hours earlier as Agents Coulson and Ward debate Skye joining their S.H.I.E.L.D. team as a consultant.

The team heads to some Incan ruins in Peru to investigate an 0-8-4, which is S.H.I.E.L.D. code for an object of unknown origin.  Coulson says the last 0-8-4 he investigated was Thor's hammer, Mjolnir.  Inside the ruins, the team finds a metal object that does not match any of the other structures and is dated as being 1500 years old.  While watching the perimeter, Ward and Melinda May are met by some soldiers led by Camilla Reyes (Leonor Varela), a former associate of Coulson.  While reminiscing, they are ambushed by rebels fighting the Peruvian government.

Ward grabs the device from the temple and the team takes cover as Ward deploys some sort of electromagnetic pulse, giving them time to get back to their plane.  As they escape, Fitz explains that the device from the temple harnesses teserract energy and is emitting gamma radiation.  While stable, the team begins infighting over what to do with it.  Coulson tells them to work it out and takes Reyes on a tour of the plane.  Skye tries to make peace with Ward over some drinks as she explains her worldview which Ward respects despite having a different perspective.

Reyes flirts with Coulson as her soldiers take over the plane in order to get the device.  With the team tied up in the cargo hold, they refer to Melinda May as "The Cavalry" and devise a plan to take back the plane.  Reyes explains the device is a Hyrda weapon they have been waiting to find and will use it to stabilize the government by stopping the rebels.  Coulson tries to plead with her by referencing the Battle of New York as a reason they should work together.  May dislocates her wrist to escape and the game is on.

Using their respective skills, Ward, Skye, May, Fitz, and Simmons unite to MacGyver their way to Coulson.  They trigger the Hydra device, blowing a hole in the plane as seen in the opening scene to the episode.  As the plane begins to crash, Coulson saves Reyes as the team retrieves the weapon while Skye proves her worth to the group by opening an emergency raft to seal the hole in the plane.

At The Slingshot, a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Coulson checks on Lola and debriefs Skye on the events of the mission being part and parcel of the job.  Ward and May admit to each other that Skye may end up being a worthwhile asset.  The team watches as the Hydra device is launched ino space and Skye texts a contact that she has successfully infiltrated the team.  The episode ends with a very special appearance by none other than Director Nick Fury himself!

MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE REFERENCES:

Despite previous claims that AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. would not feature appearances from the big screen superheroes, that didn't include the very human Nick Fury.  Samuel L. Jackson filmed a pretty lengthy scene at the close of the episode, chastising Agent Coulson's leadership abilities.  Not that it requires very much in terms of costume but Nick Fury looked just as good as in any of his feature film appearances.  Coulson also mentions that Tony Stark is not officialy part of S.H.I.E.L.D. but rather a consultant, like Skye.

BEST LINE:

"Do you need anything else before I go check on the device fueled by evil that is sitting in our cargo hold?"

COOLEST SCENE:

Seeing Nick Fury lay into Agent Coulson for destroying the plane was awesome.  Their conversation was very much like a boss to a subordinate and Fury showed little break in his steely exterior.  Fury obviously knows what happened to Coulson after THE AVENGERS but he is not spilling it.

DO WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO COULSON YET?

Not yet, but Coulson mentions that the plane was a gift from Nick Fury following his stabbing by Loki.  When Skye mentions his time in Tahiti, Coulson answers that it was a "magical place".  Could this be a hint?

EPISODE CLEARANCE LEVEL: 9/10

Overall this episode was better than the pilot in every way.  The action was tighter and the plot served as a much better way to bring the team together.  The Marvel references abound and the cameo by Samuel L. Jackson was great.  Clark Gregg does a great job of anchoring the episode while letting the rest of the cast take center stage and gel as an ensemble.  If every episode is as good as this one, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. is going to be really good.

NEXT ON MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.:

"The Asset" – Stay tuned for some serious INCEPTION action as the S.H.I.E.L.D. team sends Skye on her first mission involving someone with the power of invisibility.

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