Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: Window of Opportunity (Season 6 Episode 2)
It can be difficult to write reviews of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. sometimes, because it often reaches a high level of quality in a story and then maintains for extended periods of time.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 6 Episode 2, “Window of Opportunity,” feels a lot like that: a high quality installment after a high quality installment. It has action, strong plot, mystery, and a great group of characters to invest in, and I have only a few minor quibbles.
Since the quibbles are few, I’ll start there.
The pacing of “Window of Opportunity” is just a little off. Every Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode that’s any good balances action with the mystery, plot, and dramatic character interactions.
By “just a little off,” they hold off on any serious action sequences just long enough to make you wonder if the episode has any action, and then you get some wonderful action sequences. Again, this is a very minor quibble.
Another very minor issue that “Window of Opportunity” faces is that it’s starting to drag out the Coulson/Sarge mystery. Perhaps the excessive promo-watching done prior to viewing the episode contributes to this feeling, so again, this is a minor issue, but it does feel like they’re going to milk it a bit.
Outside of those (very minor) issues, “Window of Opportunity” has it all. Mystery, intrigue, and great stories involving some of the best characters on the show.
The best of these is Fitz, who for an uncertain period of time has been hiding on an alien ship as an engineer, but is exposed by his shipmates. Fitz and Enoch’s effort to save the innocent ship’s workers and get rid of the thugs running it is an exciting triumph.
Even though Fitz is just trying to get back to cryo-sleep, he takes the time to save innocent lives, which truly speaks to his character.
Elsewhere, the mystery of the Coulson look-alike deepens as Dr. Benson researches the evidence and discovers that Sarge has a 100% match for Phil Coulson’s DNA. This ignites something within May as she goes after these criminals.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seems to be setting up an emotional journey for May, but thank goodness she still gets to split some wigs. That’s my favorite part of “Window of Opportunity”
It does get difficult to review a show that is consistently good, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. certainly fits the bill. Excitement for the rest of Season 6 (and beyond!) abounds.
A few stray thoughts:
- Worst part of this episode hands down was the very little use of Simmons and Daisy.
- So “Coulson” rings a bell to Sarge. Is this like Ward and Hive? I hope it isn’t, but only because I selfishly need Coulson to be alive at the end of this.
- The difference between Coulson/Sarge does raise a couple of almost completely irrelevant questions about MCU prosthetics. If Sarge is occupying Coulson’s body, does he know about the prosthetic arm?
- Tangentially, how do Yo-Yo’s prosthetic hands look so terrible compared to Coulson’s? Has prosthetic technology taken a huge step backward? Coulson’s looks normal but Yo-Yo’s look like gigantic robot hands.
- Final thought: So far I’m really glad there hasn’t been an Avengers: Endgame tie-in. They can’t do better than the Captain America: Winter Soldier tie-in, so why bother trying?
What did you think of this episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Fridays at 8/7c on ABC.
Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.