"Agent Carter" Recap: "Hollywood Ending"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

The season finale has become quite the big deal when it comes to television. No longer are they allowed to fly under the radar or simply conclude an unimportant or simple story. They must be bold. They must be powerful and they must take our breath away, and most importantly...they better have one hell of a cliffhanger. 

It's been a long time since I've seen a TV show not include that all important list for a season finale, every show wants us to watch and every show wants us there for those final moments, so imagine my surprise when Agent Carter decided to end the grand storyline surrounding Whitney Frost and Zero Matter...in a low key fashion because "Hollywood Ending" in no way was glamorous or stunning, it was merely an ending and as it turns out...I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it.

On one end of the spectrum, there was a lot to like about the finale. After all, Howard Stark returned and that's always a good time because he steals the show every single time he pops up on our screens. Plus, there was a wonderful sense of unity and teamwork this go round since everyone set aside their differences to put an end to Whitney Frost's quest for power. I was also particularly fond of the fact that even Joseph Manfredi realized the threat that Zero Matter and Whitney posed to the world. Sure his real motivation in stepping in to intervene might have been a little selfish, but hey, he saw the light and helped out and that's all that really matters. Plus, we finally got that magical kiss between Peggy and Sousa that was wayyyyyyy overdue. 

Yet despite the fact that everything appeared to conclude with a happy ending, minus one thing we will get to in just a moment; I have to admit that I felt underwhelmed by this finale. If anything it felt...rushed. I had been hoping for some kind of epic final showdown between Carter and Frost and instead Whitney was handled in neat and tidy fashion. Which is a shame since some of the best moments from the show this year came from Whitney and Peggy squaring off and the two of them deserved a much stronger showdown than a quick blast from a Gamma Cannon only to have Whitney whisked away moments later. Not to mention, while last year wrapped up everything nicely, there are still loose ends left on the table this year. The Atlas Club, albeit fractured still exists and let's not forget Dottie is on the loose as well.

But, I don't want this to become a complete and utter bash session. I just expected more. The first season was so solid and so enthralling that I thought this season would go above and beyond and not play it safe. If anything, I suppose I may need to watch this one a few more times and see if my opinion changes. But as of this moment, this was an inconsistent episode for me, and all things aside I do have to give the episode credit for that all powerful final moment when Jack took a bullet before our mystery man swiped the SOE file on Peggy from his luggage. We did at least get one hell of a cliffhanger and I hope that ABC gives this show another season to not only wrap that up but give the fans what we all deserve, the birth of S.H.I.E.L.D. Until next time.

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