MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Hot Potato Soup" - Agents Sam and Billy Koenig (Patton Oswalt) are hunted down to get at the Darkhold book, and only Coulson and the team can save them before the clock ticks out, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless) Agents of SHIELD Review: Hot Potato Soup (Season 4 Episode 12)

Agents of SHIELD Review: Hot Potato Soup (Season 4 Episode 12)

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

Over the years, the team on Agents of SHIELD  has always been a family, albeit one with a lot of drama. Agents of SHIELD Season 4 Episode 12, “Hot Potato Soup,” gives us those moments in bunches.

Among other things– the truth comes out finally about LMD May, the Koenig brothers make their return, and the introduction of a new villain brings a chill down our spines.

The search for the Darkhold is in the forefront, and now that it’s in the hands of Dr. Radcliffe bad things are coming in the team’s future.

Add to that, meeting the latest bad guy, The Superior, a very dangerous man who makes drinking vodka out of a test tube frightening. He seems to have a vendetta against Inhumans and thinks Coulson is the connecting piece to everything superhuman/supernatural in the world.

The Superior looks to be a lovely addition to the show as we have seen in the past that a scary man with an obsession always makes the best villains.

Patton Oswalt returning as the Koenig brothers, Sam and Billy, is always a welcoming sight.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Hot Potato Soup" - Agents Sam and Billy Koenig (Patton Oswalt) are hunted down to get at the Darkhold book, and only Coulson and the team can save them before the clock ticks out, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless)
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. – “Hot Potato Soup” – (ABC/Eric McCandless)
PATTON OSWALT

Having Billy and Sam back adds up new things for the show to do even if just for an episode. Billy’s fear of being tortured as he is captured and Sam and Daisy’s scene as he discusses all the fan fiction and shipping written about her was the best and one of the most humorous scenes in the history of Agents of SHIELD.

However, the best Koenig without a doubt is Billy and Sam’s sister LT. Watching her kicking Watchdog ass makes me want to see more of her in the future.

Learning more about Fitz’s and his relationship to his father lets us have some revealing moments.

Dr. Radcliffe’s betrayal sets off Fitz in a way that hasn’t been seen since Ward’s. Fitz being left by his father at age 10 has him feeling like everyone he gets close to and bonds with betrays him. So many hugs for Fitz right now.

Seeing Fitz in such pain is hard but leads to a lovely scene with Jemma where she tells him how the open, loyal, caring man is the person she fell in love with.

More of this in the future please! Fitzsimmons is one of the most strongest written TV couples among the comic-book shows. Leo and Jemma’s chemistry is still as red-hot as the day is long.

LMD May finally reveals herself to be the ultimate traitor in the team and the heartbreak can be clearly seen on her face. Kudos to Ming-Na Wen for just her face in this scene as LMD May steals the Darkhold book to give to Radcliffe from Phil. Different emotions from love to confusion all play out in May’s eyes in that moment.

I couldn’t help but feel terrible when after she’s wounded and gives the book to Radcliffe, she is left behind.

His haunting words “You just weren’t built to last” feels like one finally dagger to the heart of LMD May. She did such a good job of conning Coulson that she conned me as well in to caring about her so much.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Hot Potato Soup" - Agents Sam and Billy Koenig (Patton Oswalt) are hunted down to get at the Darkhold book, and only Coulson and the team can save them before the clock ticks out, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Eric McCandless) CLARK GREGG
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. – “Hot Potato Soup” – (ABC/Eric McCandless)
CLARK GREGG

Much like the real May, she too is in love with Coulson. Even if she is a robot, a huge part of myself kind of wants to see if Coulson forgives her. A redemption arc for LMD May is going to be a beautiful thing to witness.

So the Darkhold is in Radcliffe, Nadeer and The Superior’s hands and our team of SHIELD agents are hurting. The odds are not good that everyone will get a happy ending. So to this I say “I can’t wait!”

Other Thoughts:

  • Love that Fitz and  Simmons are the ones who figure out that May has been a Life Model Decoy since their adventure with the Ghost Rider.
  • So many Star Wars references tonight. It’s almost like they and Agents of SHIELD are owned by the same company…hahahaha!
  • Turns out there is another Koenig brother out there in the world– This one’s name is Thurston. Basically he’s a stand-up comedian and has a not so great outlook on life. So Patton Oswalt playing Patton Oswalt there.
  • At first Dr. Radcliffe tries the old trope of convincing Billy that he was going to be tortured too so he better reveal where the book is. This trope never works and I commend Dr.Radcliffe for even admitting as much after a real short attempt at it.
  • Mack’s continuing hate for robots is amusing.  “Why did you turn me on?” “I like to hear robots scream.”
  • That fan fiction Billy mentions to Daisy? I’ve probably read it. Twice.

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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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.