Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Review: Brand New Day (Season 7 Episode 11)
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is barrelling full speed toward the end of the series. Which is really bittersweet, because it means no more Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but these episodes have all been really excellent.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Episode 11, “Brand New Day,” manages to be epic, hilarious, and heartfelt consistently throughout the hour. It’s truly focused on the characters and how they’ve grown throughout the series. Plus, you know, there are a ton of callbacks.
“Brand New Day” splits up the titular agents into several functional working groups. Though part of me wishes the team would be together in its final days, the splits seem to work out for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. here. Simmons and Deke are kidnapped and tortured, while Daisy, Sousa, and Mack go after them, and Coulson stays at the lighthouse with May and Yo-Yo.
One of the most striking elements of “Brand New Day” is how the effort to subvert the chronicom projections and expectations leads to situations that are not only exciting but heartfelt and also…humorous.
“Brand New Day” is exciting and has powerful and heartfelt moments, but the humor really ties everything together. It’s littered with laugh out loud moments that’ll make you walk away feeling good — despite the pending end of the world.
My favorite moment, of course, is Sousa getting tickled by the name “Quake.”
Yes, I can fully support Daisy and Sousa as a couple, and I, too, think Daisy should get a “Q” on her utility belt. Also, Chloe Bennet and Enver Gjokaj have insanely good chemistry. Just saying.
But really, nearly every character gets a funny moment or two that really work, which makes it hard to mention a good one-liner. They’re all good.
Those humorous moments are lent credibility by the earnestness of “Brand New Day,” as each team member gets a chance to prove that the others are family to them. Memories of Fitz, Mack’s fatherly instinct, Daisy’s “sister” versus her sister. All of these moments work to give the audience some serious feels, and make the funny moments that much funnier.
Daisy: I already have a sister to save. Her name is Jemma Simmons.
Aside from “Brand New Day” tickling the audience’s funny bone, it escalates the threat from Malick, Kora, and the Chronicoms to set up what’s certain to be an exciting finish. The villains haven’t been extremely scary up until now, but several dangerous powered people combined with the Chronicoms once again time-traveling sets the stage for what’s sure to be an epic 2-part finale.
Each element – the heart, the humor, and the action, work together to make “Brand New Day” an incredible addition to Season 7. Only two episodes (1 week!) left!
A few stray thoughts:
- Finally! A few (new) glimpses of Fitz! Really, all I want from the finale is a FitzSimmons reunion, but it’s always good to have Iain De Caestecker back on my screen.
- I suspected (really after Season 5) that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was in a new timeline, so it’s nice to have that confirmed. MCU Multiverse confirmed!
- I expected to dislike Kora as a threat to my favorite team, but actually…she’s awesome. I said what I said.
- “What are you like a computer genius now?” “Yes.”
- Obviously, the reason Jemma cried when her chip was out during the time loop is she knew the chip would take all her memories of Fitz under duress.
- Mention of Ward! Here’s hoping for a Brett Dalton (or BJ Britt, or Adrianne Palicki, or Nick Blood) cameo next week. Fingers crossed!
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.