Agents of SHIELD Review: Wake Up (Season 4 Episode 11)

Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Episode 11, “Wake Up” serves up several different story lines to follow, and while some of them hit the mark, others don’t.

Let’s start with the stuff that been working now — Agent May’s story line(s).

As soon as May grabs the piece of glass after AIDA “accidentally” drops the glass container of swabs on the floor, you can tell something is up. Having Melinda go through a simulation where she does nothing but fight is right up her alley.

May thrives on action; it’s the only way of life she is comfortable with. So it’s understandable Dr. Radcliffe knows this would work.

After May fights out of her simulation again by defeating AIDA, she is put into a new simulation. It’s one that hits way too close to home for her Bahrain, the mission that gave her the nickname “The Calvary.”

Seeing May succeed in saving the girl this time hurts even more as we know it’s not real. May’s greatest failure (to her) is something that haunts her to this day, and I fear for Radcliffe when she figures out it is another simulation.

Now we go to LMD May as it connects to the other storyline where Coulson is trying a desperate move to get more information on Senator Nadeer.

The terrible plan is while Director Maze and Daisy are in front of Sen. Nadeer and her politician comrades, Coulson, and Yo-Yo will check out the Senator’s office.

Talbot hates the plan, and rightfully so. It’s a bad idea — really bad. (However, it does give us a lovely Maze/Daisy scene as one of my new favorite things on Agents of SHIELD is seeing these two slowly bonding)

Coulson’s mission to get some more dirt on the Senator fails badly when he and Yo-Yo get their hands caught in the cookie jar.  Senator Nadeer gets tipped off about this and Coulson makes his first smart move in realizing there is a mole in their mist.

Of course, we all think it’s May but in a surprise its reveals itself to be Dr. Radcliffe via a pissed-off Fitz shooting it in the brain. The real Dr. Radcliffe is conversing with Senator Nadeer and those two together equals nothing but bad times in the future for our favorite SHIELD team I think.

Back to LMD May: she helps capture LMD Radcliffe in a scene that highlights the talent of Ming Na Wen.

The look on May’s face as Radcliffe taunts her with what she wants but pushes away from her was beautifully sad. It feels odd having so much emotions for a robot but this is one time where it’s more than justified.

So what’s next? The Darkhold book is still out there, and Radcliffe wants its now more than ever. Also, the nagging feeling inside of me won’t go away that we are far from seeing the last Life Model Decoy out there. I just know that Radcliffe wants more LMDs infiltrating the team. So this just leaves one more question…

Who’s Next?

Other Thoughts:

• Our two main couples get some moments in Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Episode 11.  First up is Yo-Yo and Mack. After some sexy times, Mack is very secretive about a mysterious text. After the failed mission, Yo-Yo asks where he went. In a heartbreaking voice, Mack shares how he had a daughter 11 years ago and it’s the anniversary of her death. He spends time with his ex as a way to remember Hope.
• I had legitimate tears when Mack was telling that story to Yo-Yo. Henry Simmons’s voice breaking and holding back tears in that scene had me holding back tears as well.
• As for our other couple, FitzSimmons, it’s not their happiest moment. Simmons catches Fitz tinkering with the AIDA head leading to another argument. It’s not too terrible but I am getting really tired of not seeing them happy. I just want one moment of them smiling and enjoying something for a change.
• Talbot using the phrase “Fart pebbles” strains my disbelief in the show more than any inhuman powers or robot ever will.
• In the flashback, we see its only been five days since Agent May’s been kidnapped. It’s been a long five days for this team.
• How many times do you think May has been running a simulation? Feel like it’s probably in the thousands by now.
• Yo-Yo’s suit game = A+

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.

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