Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: Alien Commies From the Future! (Season 7 Episode 3)
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is at its best when its stories are absolutely wild. Their ensemble of established characters function better as the situations get crazier.
In case you couldn’t tell from the title: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Episode 3, “Alien Commies From the Future,” is a trippy time travel adventure. It also may be a contender for best episode title of 2020.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. team’s latest time jump takes them to 1955 near Area 51, and “Alien Commies From the Future” both stands alone as a wonderful sci-fi adventure and serves up some treats for long time Marvel fans.
The biggest of which, of course, is the crossover with Marvel’s Agent Carter. Being in 1955, Simmons, Coulson, and Daisy cross paths with Chief Daniel Souza, Agent Carter’s former partner. Many fans who were upset at the abrupt cancellation of the period drama will be pleased to see Souza still at the top of his game — even when that means arresting Coulson and Simmons.
Enver Gjokaj slips effortlessly back into Souza’s shoes after a long absence, and his presence really works well to give the show some additional stakes. His rapport with Daisy, especially, is seamless.
The 1955 setting also gives Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. some particularly timely topics to tackle. It’s no accident that Mack, May, YoYo, and Deke are left to interrogate a pretty racist captive. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. surely didn’t plan this far ahead, but couldn’t have planned the episode any better.
They don’t push one political vantage point particularly hard, but they do create a picture of how a powerful man of that time might have behaved and how it doesn’t stand up to modern times. They even manage to get some humor out of it!
Deke: Stupid white privilege
Even tackling both of these major stories — Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. manages a sci-fi romp for the ages as they track down the Chronicom within the ranks at Area 51 and shut her down just before she blows up most of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s major players.
“Alien Commies From the Future!” has heart, political relevance, sci-fi action, and wonderful universe connections for both Marvel at large and Agent Carter in particular. S.H.I.E.L.D. has started this season off strong, but this is by far the strongest.
A few stray thoughts:
- Could it be that May is just trying to mask her pain? Or is she actually missing joy or a soul? It’s hard to tell at this point.
- Furthermore, does YoYo have the yips? Or are her powers gone?
- Okay, seriously. I’m going to need some FitzSimmons content. Fitz, come quickly.
- Honestly, I didn’t think I’d miss Enoch as much as I do. But here we are.
- I’m an Agent Carter fan, so to see Souza fix his hair before he thought he was going to see her? FEELS!
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 Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
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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.