Marvel’s Newest Creation: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sept. 27 marked the premiere of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC, the latest addition to the Marvel’s Cinematic universe. Created by Joss Whedon, known for directing “The Avengers” and creating “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” the series picks up where the Avengers movie left off. Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders reprise their roles from “The Avengers” as Agent Phil Coulson and Agent Maria Hill, respectively, in this new TV series. 

Gregg plays the show’s main character, Coulson, who assembles an elite team for S.H.I.E.L.D, a global organization that specializes covering up and containing supernatural and superhuman activity. 

This team deals with superpowered individuals whose existences had been revealed in “The Avengers.” While the show builds on past events, it isn’t strictly necessary to have seen the past films in the Marvel movie line-up, though doing so eases understanding considerably. 

The episode starts as many action shows do, with the hero carrying out a dangerous mission. Cue the fight scene and helicopter rescue. While it wasn’t the most original start, I remained undaunted. As diehard Marvel fan, I had high hopes and high expectations for this series. 

Once the show started, however, its originality emerged. The show pokes fun at typical cliches and the action and superhero genre. Coulson, the protagonist, apologizes for using the stand-in-a-dark-corner-to-surprise-you cliche. His self-awareness makes him an engaging character, his awkward politeness makes him relatable character, not just a confident hero.

I look forward to Gregg’s portrayal of Coulson throughout the series and his interaction with the rest of the team. Agent Ward, portrayed by Brett Dalton, appears to fit the standard dark and broody hero but is shown as socially inept. Dalton’s dialogue doesn’t appear to flow naturally, even for a character with no interpersonal skills.  Chloe Bennet plays Skye, a hacker recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. I enjoyed her snappy comebacks and her realistic reactions to danger, but I hope there’s more to her character than superficial snark. 

Agent Leo Simmons, portrayed by Iain De Caestecker, and Agent Jemma Fitz, portrayed by Elizabeth Henstridge, have a quirky partnership that I love to see in a show with serious undertones. They argue right from their introduction, but it’s shown that they build off each other's ideas. I see the potential for great onscreen chemistry, which I hope will flourish in the episodes to come. 

The cast’s diversity leaves room for interesting character development and good teamwork, while still retaining their individual elements. “Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.,” while employing some cliches and stilted dialogue, shows the promise of a great show in the making.