AGENTS OF SHIELD Recap: “As I Have Always Been”

A new episode from the final season of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD aired this week on ABC.

Here’s the synopsis for the latest episode, “As I Have Always Been”:

A time storm ravages the Zephyr, propelling it toward destruction while simultaneously forcing Daisy and Coulson to relive their failed attempts to save the team over and over, until they find a solution or are swallowed by the storm. Making it to their next destination will take trust, courage and sacrifice from everyone on board, but it will all come down to having enough time.

ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE, JOEL STOFFER

Join NiceGirls Roz, Christie, and Ruben as we discuss the episode, using our ratings system known as SASSY – S(tupid), A(wesome), S(o) S(o) and Y(Your Thoughts):

STUPID

Roz: Even though it was just the button, I hate Nathaniel and Daisy’s sister so so much! It’s cartoon evil in a show built on comic book characters who can literally do things unimaginable!

Christie: I dunno, still not feeling the time loop thing. It could just be me. It was a good episode, but I didn’t love it. Also… STILL NO FITZ?! Regarding Cora and Nathaniel, I think my real problem with this is not understanding exactly how Jiaying was trying to get Cora to control her powers. How did she fail where Nathaniel succeeded? I hope there’s an actual good reason for that.

Rueben: After enjoying the time loop episode so much more than I originally anticipated to see Nathaniel and Cora (Daisy’s sister) at the end, UGH! I screamed at the TV “not Nathaniel” again!!! Please, please, let’s hope the team ends those two because we are all so OVER them!

AWESOME

Roz: For all my trepidation about the Groundhog’s Day feel, this broke that mold quickly. Thanks Drew Z. Greenberg for coming up with the different way to work with that trope and not make me feel horrible by the end.

Christie: I’m glad that tension between Daisy and Souza is over. They clearly have had something going on for a few eps, and we needed to move forward. Also, I like that Enoch got a heroic sendoff, tragic as it was.

Rueben: I agree, Roz. It was great to not be irritated by the time loop, as it moved in a very different direction than I thought, and was so thankful!! And congrats to Elizabeth Henstridge (aka Simmons) for being behind the camera as director of this episode. That’s so awesome. I loved the interactions between Daisy and Coulson as well as Daisy and Souza. How about that kiss? I read one review right after the episode aired that mentioned Souza was making a comparison of Daisy to Peggy Carter (which I’m sure we picked up on); I loved that he did that. It was also sad to see Enoch go; he really did become a great addition to the team, and he gave up his “life” to save them. Now if we could just get Fitz back, right?

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SO SO

Roz: ENOCH! I hate that the team had to lose him in order to get out of the time loop, but there’s another big death to motivate them into stopping Nathaniel.

Christie: We now know that whatever secrets Gemma is keeping from herself, it’s horrible. But we don’t know what it is. And that goes back to my main gripe about this season — too much going on that need to be revealed before the end.

Rueben: I actually missed seeing more of Yo-Yo in this episode, especially now that she has her speed back.

YOUR THOUGHTS

Roz: So we’re getting back to Jiaying, who is going to figure out what’s going on with Daisy soon enough. We need to wrap up what sort of evil Nathaniel is going to unleash.

Christie: I’m with Rueben. Enoch’s last words are dire. I want a somewhat happy ending, guys!

Rueben: I’m concerned about what Enoch saw in his vision of the future. He said to Daisy and Coulson, “your friends will survive, the team will not.” That’s not ominous at all; and sure the show is coming to an end, but I don’t want it to be a horrible or horrific end for the team. Can we just get rid of Nathaniel, get Fitz back and have a happy ending for once? Is that too much to ask.

[Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth]

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will be back next week on Wednesday, July 29 at 10/9c on ABC.