"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Recap: "Closure"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

Everything comes around full circle and hell hath no fury like a Coulson scorned. Those are the two biggest takeaways I gathered from this week's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and I'll be damned if they aren't some important lessons because last night's episode was absolutely bonkers and filled to the brim with Coulson's fury as every single plot line introduced this season was brought together in "Closure".

But why all the fury from Phil? Well because the episode wasted no time in getting right down to punching us straight in the gut when a lovely dinner between the now absolved of evil Rosalind Price and our favorite Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. ends in horrific fashion when Grant Ward decides to put a bullet into Miss Price as revenge for having his lovely lady die at the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. late last season. It leads to a frantic escape for Coulson from the clutches of Hydra and a quick decision from him when he returns to home base...the time has come to take out Grant Ward.

In fact I cannot remember a time I've ever seen Coulson this angry and determined to bring anyone down and after brainstorming with the team as to how to put an end to this monster, he sets his plan into motion, temporarily handing over director duties to Mack before sending teams out on his revenge run. He takes Hunter and Bobbi on a special extraction mission while Fitz and Simmons are sent to the Distant Star facility with Banks to figure out where Hydra may be preparing to return to the alien planet, now known as Maveth, when things go horribly wrong. The Inhuman that gave Bobbi and Hunter trouble last time returns to kill Banks and the S.H.I.E.L.D. escort before taking Fitz and Simmons to see Malick.  

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As they are whisked away, Phil's plan goes into action as he and Hunter kidnap Ward's little brother and use him as bait. They need to know where Ward is, and by threatening the last of his family and letting him talk on the phone with his baby bro they are able to trace his location before letting Thomas Ward go home. It turns out that Hydra has set up camp near the castle where Fitz was sent through the portal a little while ago to bring back Emma and their evil plan is simple. Re open the portal, send a team through and bring back the evil Inhuman waiting on the other side. But of course they need information from Fitz and/or Simmons to accomplish the mission and through a lot of torture, specifically of Jemma, the knowledge they need is revealed and Fitz agrees to go through the portal with Ward.

But not before a grand setup. Knowing that Coulson, Fitz and Simmons are no doubt in deep trouble, Mack activates every man and woman left standing at S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ, including Lincoln and Joey to head out for one incredible mission to rescue them all and we also learn in this moment that hey, Mack's a pretty badass leader to say the least. But before he can save the day the episode ends in thrilling fashion. For Hydra gets the portal open, the Quin Jet carrying Coulson's squad is under attack and knowing that he only has mere moments to stop Ward, who reluctantly has gone through the portal as Hydra's lead for this mission...Coulson dives out of the jet and through the portal mere seconds before it closes.

That's where the episode leaves us. With S.H.I.E.L.D. literally scattered about the galaxy and two enemies ready to face off on an alien world and man I loved this episode. In fact credit needs to go where credit is due, this was an absolutely phenomenal performance from Clark Gregg this week, he took Phil Coulson to new heights with his acting chops and showed us a darker side of the man we never knew existed. Plus, the cat and mouse interaction between Coulson and Ward, well it was simply magnificent and if you didn't already hate Ward with pretty much everything in your heart, you should now after what he pulled last night. Either way, what an amazing setup for next week, this one almost felt like it could have been a season finale on its own and I cannot wait to see what happens on Maveth for the midseason finale. Until then.

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