‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Recap: ‘The Other Thing’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

If there’s one constant that I’ve noticed when it comes to season six of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., it’s that the series has definitely taken the time to have as much fun as humanly possible. After all, ‘Fear and Loathing on the Planet of Kitson’ was a rip-roaringly hilarious episode through and through and last week’s tale also brought the chuckles to the forefront of the story by way of Deke’s new tech company and his wild lifestyle. Yet, while all of that was enjoyable, it became inherently clear to me as I settled in to enjoy last night’s episode, that all of this was by design. Because the stakes are only getting higher as this season progresses, which means the tough stuff is just around the corner and it would seem that ‘The Other Thing’ took the opportunity to give us a taste of things to come.

For this particular tale went to some supremely dark places and perhaps it’s best to look at the ugliest stuff first, which was the entire segment involving the Sarge and May. Because this was finally her opportunity to get up close and personal with Coulson’s doppelganger, and while this sequence could have focused squarely on the cat and mouse game that these two played, it also found a way to tug on our heartstrings. Because as May took the time to learn more about this mysterious man, and see first-hand how cold he was, she was instantly transported back to the final days she shared with the love of her life, and seeing this twisted version of him was more than she could bear and eventually, after she learned about the Shrike, the mysterious parasites that Sarge has been fighting for ages, she found the opportunity to take control of the situation and her captors and that led to a heartbreaking battle royale between her and Sarge, where it seems she finally dealt with the pain of losing Coulson by smacking Sarge around and capturing him at last.

But while that alone could have carried the entire hour since it was powerful stuff, the show wasn’t quite done yet when it comes to providing the audience with tough moments to chew upon. For this story also took the time to catch up with our space bound team of agents and well, their situation basically went from bad to worse in this tale. For Confederacy ships surrounded Zephyr-1 while the team licked their wounds and planned their next move and they quickly came to learn that the Confederacy was no longer their biggest threat out there, the Chronicoms were actually of grave concern since they were the ones that have been hunting them, because Enoch’s people are facing quite the conundrum. Because their world is gone, devastated by some plague, and they seized Confederacy ships out of desperation and they want their hands on Fitz in order to figure out how he was able to travel through time, and after a little back and forth and betrayal on Enoch’s part, an agreement was reached, one that would leave Jemma behind in deep space, so that she could help Fitz save Enoch’s people and so that she could be with her love once again.

However, while all of this was fascinating and harrowing to watch, the episode also had one more surprise up its sleeve and that was related to our new enemy the Shrike. For a detailed analysis revealed that once these creatures finally die, they crystalize into a fascinating composition, one that Dr. Benson was unfamiliar with, but Yo-Yo and Mack were not. Because when in their final state, they resemble something quite similar to the Monolith’s molecular structure, which is fascinating to say the least because it raises a great many questions about these beings and well, just about every single plot thread introduced into this season. Because now I am quite curious to learn exactly how these bat-like monsters relate to something that’s been on Earth for eons and also if this revelation will somehow tie into how to save the Chronicoms since these creatures have components in them that Fitz might be able to use and of course, there’s the big question that’s lingering on my mind when it comes to this tale in that, who or what exactly is the ‘creator’ that Sarge referred to in this tale and why does it need to come to Earth?

But, in the here and the now, this was quite the quality transitional episode, one that pushed the plot along at a lovely place, and I really dig how May got some closure in this episode, and that it set up one ugly reveal for Quake in stories to come since one has to wonder how she will handle seeing Sarge and well, when all is said and done, this season just continues to impress. Week in and week out, we are treated to some incredible stories, the kind that leave me hungry for more and while it’s inherently obvious the stories are only getting darker from here, I’m still eager to see where this season is headed story wise and quite frankly, where we are headed character development wise as well. Because facing one’s fears and one’s past is sometimes a greater task than bringing down a supervillain and judging from the teaser for next week’s chapter, those appear to be the elements this phenomenal series is about to dive into. Until next time.   

---