Agents of SHIELD: Pilot Review

The journey begins- can Agents of SHIELD win the war on television drama, or is it a franchise spin-off too far?
When the chips are down, it takes an esteemed, dedicated writer to best the odds and pen an innovative new TV show. In the case of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though, ABC and Channel 4 were already gifted on two fronts- the chips aren't down for the franchise in the slightest, and the studios have none other than Joss Whedon on board to kick-start the series' small-screen première.

In the case of Agents' opening episode, Pilot, we find little shortage of ambition and audacity on Whedon's part. Far from proving to be the proverbial elephants in the room, the World's Mightiest Heroes are referenced within moments of the show's first spoken dialogue, then glimpsed via shots taken from Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Avengers Assemble. If these first throwbacks developed into unnecessary excess as the narrative progressed, then naturally that aspect of the programme would play to its detriment. Gamma radiation, Chitauri technology and Extremis serums are all present and prominent here, and yet this prominence only serves to solidify and enhance the role of the series within Marvel Studios' grander universal context.

A vital element of the programme to remember, of course, is that of its budget. Hardly the rival of Avengers Assemble, Agents will have to deal with thoroughly grounded adventures for the MCU as opposed to the intergalactic, fantastical escapades witnessed in the core motion picture entries of the saga. Mercifully, Whedon has clearly accounted for this in Pilot, utilising the non-super heroic nature of its premise to his supreme advantage. Contrary to the possibility of this instalment seeming constrained by the precedent of its big-screen predecessors, the Earth-based setting helps imbue the script with inherently human comedy, pathos and wit. The latter of those three emotions has always been key to Whedon's televisual work, so it's gratifying to confirm that the familiarity of his approach in his latest effort doesn't hamper its innovative edge in storytelling.

As with so many of Whedon's past outings, Agents' dramatic power lies in its potent ensemble. Clark Gregg without a doubt remains the member of the cast with whom fans can most closely associate, the remainder of Agent Coulson (who, incidentally, lives!)'s team are each brimming with personality and talent desperate to be tapped in the weeks ahead. Having Cobie Smaulders return as Agent Maria Hill after her 2012 appearance in Avengers Assemble is a neat surprise, even if it's a surprise that was pre-empted months in advance by her ComicCon reveal. Smaulders won't reprise her role each week, though, which makes the noteworthy performances of her colleagues all the more reassuring in light of the show's impending need to stand on its own two feet as the season progresses.

Unlike Avengers Assemble, however, this isn't a narrative experience which presents itself in a manner devoid of shortcomings. J. August Richards' Mike Peterson is a character construct who's startlingly reminiscent of other super serum-enhanced antiheroes introduced in the likes of Smallville, Arrow and Iron Man 3 in recent times. His familial plight is one of the most recognisable narrative tropes of this genre of television, the somewhat unique resolution of his character arc its key redeeming feature. One might argue that the episode's climax becomes over-nostalgic towards the days of Back to the Future ("Where we're going, we don't need Helicarriers!"), although that's but a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things.

In spite of its blatantly uninspired title, Pilot remains an impressive, accomplished starting point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest story arc. Quite how Coulson truly came back from the dead and how the leaders of the Centipede Project will manifest their influence on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar will unquestionably be dealt with in future instalments of the first season, but for now there's strong potential for proceedings to develop into a show which stands up with the greats. Agents of SHIELD hasn't reached the benchmark set by Avengers Assemble at this stage- what's impressive, then, is just how close its production team have come in their first attempt.
4/5