MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire" - As Ghost Rider's quest for vengeance brings him into an explosive confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson and Mack must rely on an unlikely ally in their time of desperate need; and Daisy reunites with a familiar face to stop the Watchdogs, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal) Agents of SHIELD Review: Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire (Season 4 Episode 4) MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire" - As Ghost Rider's quest for vengeance brings him into an explosive confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson and Mack must rely on an unlikely ally in their time of desperate need; and Daisy reunites with a familiar face to stop the Watchdogs, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)

Agents of SHIELD Review: Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire (Season 4 Episode 4)

Charles Dulaney Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Reviews

This sounds like I am repeating myself again, but Agents of SHIELD is having its best season yet.

Everything is clicking on all cylinders. From storylines to character moments, Agents of SHIELD continues to shine.

Now I’m going to reveal something that some don’t realize: Jemma Simmons and Daisy Johnson are two of the best characters on television, and “Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire” is a perfect example of this.

Simmons shows off her early skills at being a loyal friend when Daisy asks for her help locating the Watchdogs that are hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D. Well, Daisy sort of forces her into it, but if one thing is true about Jemma, it is that she will always help a friend in trouble. That is one of the reasons I love Jemma so much.

Simmons and Daisy are such a perfect pairing to team-up together again. It works so well because they are polar opposites.

Jemma loves following, playing by, and enforcing the rules. She loves order in her life.

Daisy loves breaking, disobeying and defying the rules and authority.  So, of course, this is why whenever these two are together, it produces some of my favorite moments on the show.

They end up contacting James, an Inhuman Daisy met in Season 3, to help them out. James once again proves to be the slime in the bottom of the barrel of life as he leads them into a Watchdogs trap.

Daisy has been through a lot in her life, and to see her heart break at yet another betrayal is painful to watch. Even as Ghost Rider and Coulson come to rescue, it feels as though this will be just another reason for Daisy to close up her shell and not let anybody inside again.

As much as Daisy has evolved over the years, at heart she will always be the scared hacker girl who wants to let people in but always too afraid to.

Meanwhile, one of the best things of Season 4 continues to progress: letting Phil Coulson be a badass agent.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire" - As Ghost Rider's quest for vengeance brings him into an explosive confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson and Mack must rely on an unlikely ally in their time of desperate need; and Daisy reunites with a familiar face to stop the Watchdogs, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Jennifer Clasen)
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. – “Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire” –  (ABC/Jennifer Clasen) CLARK GREGG

It’s been fun seeing the Coulson and Mack partnership this season. These two have a unique bond that only comes from chopping the other’s hand off to save his life.

At first, I thought it was only a team of convince till they were able to find Daisy.  Now it feels as though they should stay together as a team.

From a “Bullitt” inspired car chase versus Ghost Rider to the stern yet painfully emotional moment he has with Daisy on the Quinjet asking for her help in finding the Darkhold book, we are getting a return of the old Agent Coulson. A guy uncertain of what is coming but not afraid to tackle it head on.

Coulson, Simmons, and Daisy are three heroes that none of us should ever take for granted. Instead lets acknowledge them as who they are: the soul of Agents of SHIELD. 

Other Thoughts:

  • FitzSimmons saying “I love you” always brings a smile to my face.
  • May is still recovering from her death experience and immediately notices that AIDA is an android. Then, as Coulson is getting May and Fitz for the upcoming mission, Simmons realizes it too. I think this is just going to add to the ulcer count for Dr. Radcliffe.
  •  I love car chases, and the Lola/Ghost Rider one was perfect. From camera angles to Coulson & Mack bantering while chasing after him, it’s so much fun.
  • Ghost Rider and Coulson meet for the first time, and it feels like a little tease of what is coming.
  • Lucy, the ghost from “Meet the New Boss” makes another appearance, reviving her husband to ask where the Darkhold is at. I hope we get to see more of her as they need to flesh her storyline out more as I find myself not caring as much about her right now.
  • I’m so glad that Simmons finds out about AIDA being an android and there’s no unnecessary relationship drama between her and Fitz.
  • The Darkhold book chase feels like what will tie Agents of SHIELD to the upcoming Doctor Strange movie.
  • “I’m more of a fan of classical beauty.” Fitz admiring Simmons’s beauty even when he’s in full panic mode is fun.

What did you think of this episode of Agents of SHIELD? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Agents of SHIELD airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

Charles is a full-time fan of television and movies when he's not swamped by his many cats. He's also a proud Uncle who can't wait to show his nieces and nephews all of J.J. Abrams' TV work. He loves all things DC TV and Agents of SHIELD.