The SHIELD Debrief: Season 1, Episode 4 – “Eye Spy”

“Maybe I should learn to fly.”

A fitting opening to an episode that proved that “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is hitting its stride in its fourth episode, with an offering of mix-it-up action with emotional and humorous beats peppered around where you’d like them. What “Eye Spy” did well was set up what we were going to see (SEE what I did there? AND THERE?) while still making it entertaining to watch. With our eye… balls… No, I’m not gonna do that. We’re done now.

We knew that Coulson was probably right about his wayward agent Akela Amador. We knew that Ward’s mention of Skye’s training would come back as a beat later. We knew that the feed was looking at the van before they did. All this, but the storytelling rhythm managed to make us still want to see what would come of it. Especially noteworthy was the very ending shot (not THAT ending shot, but the story end), with the voice-over on Akela Amador finally getting her first uninterrupted, unwatched, sleep in years. From the emotionless, inhuman faces of the opening shot to this very vulnerable idea of someone closing their eyes to sleep, it was an inspired arc.

Agent Coulson had something of an Obi-Wan Kenobi moment this episode, getting to delve into his regrets of the past with former agent Akela Amador. The concept that his trainee had gone to the dark side did not sit well with him — or at all — and he clung to the thought that there was another explanation. This shows a certain vulnerability in Coulson, as he reenacts his own resurrection through the thought-to-be-dead rogue agent. Unlike the agent we saw making the hard choice with Dr. Hall in the previous episode, this was a Coulson not quite willing to take that commitment. Though it remained firmly in the line of saving everyone, even one person doing wrong, if you can.

“Go for short bus.”

Even Ward got to participate in this episode’s speckling of humorous lines, proving that, despite Skye’s running joke, he is not a robot. He continues to break out of his shell at a similar pace as the show itself. Even though he’s not as much a vehicle for the audience as Skye intends to be, it’s important for us to emphasize with him as much as anyone else, as he was the character we started with. There is more to Ward (hopefully), and as he peels back, he may prove to be one of the more interesting characters. Fitzsimmons were regulated to their usual background science chatter, but their participation in the entire scene in the van was precious enough to save them this episode from what otherwise would’ve been their descent into obscurity and uselessness.

“You value me.”

Our lady spy Skye is developing: she still hasn’t learned how to use a gun quite properly but that’s a note I appreciate. Showing her learning, and failing, instead of just becoming badass overnight is a smart choice and keeps her from teetering over the edge into truly annoying. She’s also showing signs of being subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) overwhelmed by what’s been going on, which is another thing to remember: she used to live in a van down by the river. It’s reasonable for her to be in over her head right now, and it’s a note to appreciate when that comes out in the character, even if some may find her quips obnoxious.

Skye has also developed as far as her relationships, as clearly Ward is giving her more responsibility — you don’t let just anybody see through your eyes these days — and she’s developing a possible two-way fondness for Agent Coulson. Something that’s going to bite her in the ass when her continuing Riding Tide connections surface (possibly even in the next episode, if our preview is any indication. But don’t trust previews. I mean it. I know.) Skye and Coulson’s moments in the van allow us to remember that she’s a little girl out of her depth and he’s just a human beneath that suit (or is he) fighting daily against the superhuman. It’s the taste of humanity that we crave, and have come to expect, in Whedon pieces and I’m hoping that the next episode doesn’t split that open too soon.

We also saw Melinda’s value continue to rise. She sure does not go slowly into that good fieldwork. Kicking it into high gear, she proved that she was going to protect Coulson, even if that potentially meant from himself and his emotional decisions. Though they seemed to smooth things out by the end, I don’t expect this will be their last disagreement on how to run matters.

“That’s not me anymore.”

A telling line for Agent Coulson tonight, whose changes are beginning to wear on those who knew him best before. It’s possible that his and Melinda’s fight is a result of his new and possibly not improved (for SHIELD) loose attitude, but we also know this his former protege noticed it — and something else? Did she close her eyes and see that Coulson is not truly Coulson? SHIELD strings us along for another episode with the promise of a development in that direction. With Melinda on the case, I think we are guaranteed to see more and more of this mystery unravel.

Theories are, naturally, bouncing all over the internet. He’s a robot. He’s Vision; that’s a popular one. What do you think? Let me know, or I’ll assume that you’re all the robots instead.

Jeez. You’d think a robot would have something more productive to do with its time.