Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: From the Ashes (Season 6 Episode 11)
There are not many shows that can create urgency and do strong character work at the same time.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 6 Episode 11, “From the Ashes,” does just that. While putting Mack, Yo-Yo, and Dr. Benson in a high stakes situation, more is revealed about their characters wants and needs, and the rest of the team is dealing with Sarge having Coulson’s memories.
Izel’s flippant murder of Davis and other S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives via body snatching makes every scene with Mack, Yo-Yo, and Dr. Benson feel high stakes. The slow unveiling of the creation powers remaining from the destroyed monolith also reveals more about Dr. Benson’s past amidst the high-stakes chaos.
Even more so, Mack and Yo-Yo are provided an opportunity within this chaos to have a relationship talk about how to move forward. They’re meant to be, of course, so we knew this was coming.
These threads intertwine to make both a compelling emotional story and a high stakes sequence. I’m still worried that one of these characters might die at the hands of Izel before season’s end.
Meanwhile, Sarge at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters causes essentially the same problem. Izel poses an imminent threat to several team members, while the rest of them are trying to extract an action plan from Sarge.
What this leads to, though, is discovering that each time Sarge dies he gets a little stronger, and he becomes more like Coulson.
Mostly, this plot is about considering the possibility that Coulson may be back. If it looks like a Coulson, talks like a Coulson, and has Coulson’s memories, it might just be Coulson!
All of this is emotional character building disguised as plot advancement, as they attempt to find a way to kill Izel. More than anything, it’s Daisy dealing with the loss of Coulson that she’s been avoiding.
Perhaps what’s most surprising in this is that May is open to Coulson being back, and Daisy can’t deal….at least until he calls her “Skye” in a heated moment.
Sarge dropping a “Skye” is another link in a chain of early season Easter eggs from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. But more than that, it feels like a throwaway line that turns into one of the most emotional moments of the season. Chloe Bennet masterfully stops dead in her tracks as Daisy briefly sees her father figure again.
While “From the Ashes” does a lot of work on plot reveals, including Izel’s plan and a way to defeat her, the real money is in the delicate balance between action and emotional payoffs. This makes “From the Ashes” a balanced, satisfying episode.
A few stray thoughts:
- At this point, I have to believe that some form of OG Coulson will be around for Season 7. How could you ditch Clark Gregg for the show’s final bow?
- That said, if they are using monoliths to bring back the dead…are we going to see more characters resurrected? Davis?Ward? Trip? Lincoln? It opens up a ton of final season possibilities.
- That said, I’m truly fearful that one of Mack or Yo-Yo doesn’t make it to the end.
What did you think of this episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Fridays at 8/7c on ABC.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.