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Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roundtable Discussion: “Closure”

By JanW | December 2, 2015

Ward is a busy boy. He kills Rosalind, sends his henchmen on a failed mission to kill Coulson, and still has time to kidnap and torture FitzSimmons. Coulson is reeling after Rosalind’s death, and is hellbent on revenge against Ward. He makes Mack the Director in his absence and recruits Hunter and Bobbi to accompany him on his off-book mission. After listening to Simmons being tortured, Fitz agrees to go through the portal on Malick’s mission to retrieve the Inhuman from the other planet. Fitz only complies in order to stop the torture of Simmons. Ward leads the team through the portal, with Fitz in tow, as well as unexpected guest Coulson (who dropped in undetected from the plane above the portal). Seeing they are out-manned and seemingly don’t have a chance, Mack activates Lincoln and Joey as his only option to go against Malick.

1. What are your thoughts on Rosalind’s surprising death, and the resulting emotional, pain driven search for vengeance by Coulson? Were you shocked by the death?

Jan: That was the last thing I expected to happen. I have to hand it to Ward, he hit Coulson where it hurt most, but I don’t think even he expected the reaction it would bring about. We’ve never seen Coulson quite like this, but everyone has a breaking point.

Rueben: I was surprised by her death, as I didn’t see that coming. And I have to admit I didn’t expect Coulson to be as driven as he is to get revenge. When it was first revealed they were an “item”, I thought it was just a cover for him to get more info on ATCU. That obviously isn’t the case given how determined he is to get Ward.

Liz: I was shocked! But I can tell you for sure that Marvel knows how to drive emotion. This was a real hard episode to watch, not just because of Coulson’s pain. I was surprised that they killed Rosalind because I felt she still had a lot to offer the story. Then again, it looks like Malick closed in on his ultimate goal anyway so in that respect Rosalind’s usefulness was finished.

2. Do you think Mack made the right choice to activate Lincoln and Joey for the mission, despite doubts as to whether they were ready? Or was it really the only option?

Jan: I felt for Mack. He really had no options, and with Andrew’s reports on Lincoln it’s a huge risk putting him in the field. Skye has been anxious to have her Inhuman team, though, and I think both Joey and Lincoln will work well under her leadership. Not saying it won’t be without problems, because we have seen Lincoln only follows orders so far, he will ultimately do what he believes is best, but they are all working towards the same goal so I have faith it will work out.

Rueben: I think given they are in the 11^th hour, Mack didn’t really have any other choice. I mean where else could he have gone without being in The Avengers; and I can’t see that happening (at least not on the small screen).

Liz: I think Mack was backed up against a wall and he made the only decision he could. I think it was a good one.

3. Coulson managed to get through the portal before it closed, joining Ward and Fitz (although they aren’t aware of it yet). Did you realize at the time he jumped that Coulson’s intention was to go through the portal?

Jan: I didn’t catch it at first, I thought his goal was to confront Ward and Malick at the portal. I can’t wait to see what happens next, because Ward doesn’t know he’s there so Coulson has the upper hand.

Rueben: When he first put on the parachute, no. But as he edged closer to the portal it became clear what he was doing. I think it was a crazy last-ditch effort, though.

Liz: Coulson is going to do whatever it takes to end Ward, so following him through the portal was no surprise at all. I didn’t realize they were flying directly over the portal until he jumped. I thought he’d get into the building in time and fight his way through. This was was so much more Marvel-ly!

4. What was your favorite scene in “Closure”?

Jan: I can’t think of any that particularly got to me this time. Guess I will go with when everyone was surprised to learn Thomas wanted them to kill Ward when they got to him, and his revelation that he changed his name and moved to stay away from his brother. Good insight into both his character and Ward.

Rueben: The scenes with Mack. Him showing up just in time to help Coulson from Ward’s thugs; him stepping up as interim director, et al.

Liz: Coulson telling Mack to step up and “do the damn job”.

5. Was there a clear MVP this episode?

Jan: I’m going to go with Mack. He was left in charge and despite overwhelming odds I think he’s handling it well. He’s seeking counsel when he needs, like a good leader should.

Rueben: I think it was Fitz because he tried so hard to keep Jemma safe and then volunteered to go into the portal in order to make sure she was safe.

Liz: This was all Coulson. His grief over Rosalind’s death and then his focused determination to take down Ward at all costs drove this episode.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC.