Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roundtable: “Bouncing Back”

Coulson is determined to stop Malick and avenge Rosalind’s death. Malick isn’t too worried, he knows something Coulson doesn’t – the being from Maveth is crashing at his place, comfortable in Ward’s former body and consuming large masses of raw meat while he gets his strength back. Daisy took the team with her to Columbia and found a new Inhuman prospect, Yo-Yo, a woman with speed so fast you can’t see her moving.

1. This episode introduced Yo-Yo Rodriguez, also known as Slingshot. What were your first impressions of the character and her abilities?

Roz: I think she’s a different but required person to help with this week’s mission. Her power did seem odd at first, and it took me some time to follow what she did, but I think for the tasks, she was a perfect fit.

Liz: Well, she’d certainly give The Flash a run for his money! LOL!

Jan: I was a little skeptical when we first saw her stealing guns, but once we learned why she was doing it I was on board and pulling for her. She will make a great addition to the team.

Rueben: I was worried in the beginning thinking it was another Inhuman intent on getting weapons for themselves or, worse yet, for Hydra; but as the reveals were made, telling us why she was doing what she was doing, I was relieved and was on her side. She is totally a female Flash!! I hope we get to see more of her.

2.What was your reaction to Lincoln’s reveal that the Inhuman’s powers are not random, but rather they fill an evolutionary need at the time?

Roz: It’s getting dangerously close to making the Inhumans Mutants (the word that shan’t be said in a Disney Marvel product), but again, I think it’s a good thing. Evolution is a powerful thing and it has brought us many things, even if Disney can’t say them.

Liz: It was a valuable piece of information to share. It’s going to help SHIELD going forward, I think. It also goes along with the history of the Inhumans and their makers in the Marvel universe.

Jan: I loved that reveal! I had assumed, as Jemma did, that it was just random luck of the draw. It’s pretty cool to know that it’s by design to fill a need.

Rueben: I was surprised that it was evolutionary because I really thought it was just all random; but I guess I shouldn’t have been thinking that way. It was very interesting to get that piece of intel.

3. General Talbot is going to be answering to Coulson now. Do you think that will go off without a hitch?

Roz: It’ll be a disaster, but one I welcome. I love schadenfreude.

Liz: Oh hell no! It’s going to be so much fun to watch though.

Jan: I’m very much looking forward to this match-up. I am not sure Talbot will always agree with Coulson’s methods, but it sounds like he won’t be able to do anything about it. Not sure he won’t try though.

Rueben: Well, I can’t imagine that Talbot is going to be happy with this development and they are, assuredly, going to butt heads repeatedly; but hopefully they can come together to make a difference.

4. Was it the right call for Daisy to release her “team” to go back to their old lives?

Roz: I think it is. If each Inhuman is needed at a certain time, then who knows if the team will need those skills again.

Liz: I think for now, yes. When they are needed they will be more willing to return to help, knowing that they’re not being forced into it.

Jan: I’m on the fence with this one. I thought her explanation that it was safer to not have them all in the same place made a lot of sense. Plus, all of them onscreen each week might be too much for some episodes to handle and do justice to them all. I like the idea of just calling in whoever’s skills are needed in a given mission.

Rueben: I think it was the right call because each of the Inhumans have lives that they need to led and by given them that option to return home, they will – more than likely – be willing to come back to the SHIELD team to help when and as they are needed.

5. Did you have a favorite scene in this episode?

Roz: I think watching Coulson on the phone with Malick.

Liz: Any scene with Mack in it is my favorite.

Jan: Not really any scenes that particularly stood above the others, but if I had to choose I would probably say Daisy telling Joey he can go back home. She has really grown into her role as team leader, and scenes like that really emphasize how far she’s come.

Rueben: I agree with Roz that one little scene of Coulson on the phone with Malick, especially the “hold” music – priceless! I also have to give a shout-out to the reintroduction scene between Jemma and Fitz. I liked it, I just have to wonder if they can ever get “back” to who they were before.

6. Who was the MVP of “Bouncing Back”?

Roz: Daisy for leading a team and coming to some understanding about how this mission actually worked.

Liz: Still Mack for the way he continues to make the right decisions.

Jan: I have to give this one to Yo-Yo. Her abilities made the rescue of Bobbi and Hunter much easier.

Rueben: Daisy did a great job leading the team – I agree with that; but I have to give the MVP to Yo-Yo because, like Jan said, it was because of her abilities that rescuing Bobbi and Hunter went as well as it did.

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

Photos courtesy ABC/Eric McCandless