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

The immediate aftermath of the events in the underground city reveals Skye in quarantine. She is waiting on the results of a DNA test to determine if anything is out of the norm with her, but deep inside she knows something is different. Reina is bitter with the outcome of her transformation, feeling that Skye got the destiny that should have been hers. For a time Reina considers suicide. Coulson is determined to avenge the fallen Tripp, while the rest of the team feels his loss and pay tribute.

1. Mack and Morse are keeping a secret, and searching for Fury’s toolbox. Do you think they are still on the side of the good guys? Are they Hydra?

Louise: I still think they’re SHIELD, but I think they have something in them like Cap’s spirit from The Winter Soldier; they aren’t just going to blindly follow an order, but do some investigations into it.

Leah: I don’t think they are Hydra but I’m not sure what they are. When Morse was lying to Hunter I think what she said was based in truth. They may not be in a support group but she said something to the effect of the only job she’s ever known/loved dissolved into almost nothing…that affects you. That, I think, was the truth.

Jan: I can’t figure out what is going on with those two. My gut tells me that they are still on the good guys side. It would be incredible if perhaps they were acting on Fury’s orders, that he is manipulating something behind the scenes, but I just don’t know.

2. Is Mack’s anger towards Coulson a clue that his allegiance is elsewhere? Residual effects of the humorless being that inhabited him? Or just run of the mill anger management issues?

Louise: I think the allegiance is elsewhere, but I don’t know where it is. Of course, it could be something about the Inhuman spirit that took over him, but I can’t see the secret that he and Bobbi have as being part of that what the Inhumans are up to.

Leah: Mack has spent his entire time on S.H.I.E.L.D. being this calming, and helpful to Fitz. When he lost it with Coulson that seemed very out of character. I’m going to go with that being after effects of being taken over by the alien menace.

Jan: He has questioned Coulson’s abilities before, but this seemed more. He never was hostile in the past. I think it’s somehow whatever possessed him causing lingering effects

3. In the flashback of Skye’s mother, we learn that she was able to sooth and guide those who went through the transformations. Then we cut to Skye alone in quarantine, and afraid. Fitz helping her was a turning point, but do you believe it’s enough given the enormity of what is happening to her?

Louise: It’ll never be enough for Skye to only have one person around to help her – and the one person who’s still facing his own issues – but it’s a start. She needs a start that’s for sure. Someone needs to make sure she’s not going to get out of control.

Leah: It isn’t enough – it is a start though. Coulson always has Skye’s back, it’s nice to see that at least hasn’t changed.

Jan: I was so happy to see Fitz step up for her, because when he initially ran it was like her father’s words about everyone being afraid were coming true. I wanted someone to step in and give poor Skye a hug. I’m not sure how long they can keep something so huge under wraps, but this gives Skye time to come to grips and perhaps adjust emotionally before her secret comes out.

4. Were you taken in momentarily by Coulson’s dramatically staged attack scene and his over the top “They’ll never take us alive?”

Louise: As soon as May and Coulson were shot I knew something was up, so it took me a minute. But maybe it was the wine I had over dinner. *clink*

Leah: I was all wrapped up into their deceit up until the moment Coulson yelled, “They’ll never take us alive.” I’m pretty sure I said, “Oh for heaven sakes!” out loud from my couch.

Jan: I admit my jaw dropped as I tried to process it. I was sure there was something more to it, and there was no way they were dead. But there was still a moment of shock and disbelief, followed by a huge sigh of relief.

5. Favorite scene this episode?

Louise: The ending scene as a tribute to Tripp. I’ll miss you too, man!

Leah: I liked when Coulson said the model of Lola was great but it didn’t fly. Although the group talking about Tripp at the end was by far my favorite scene. “We will laugh a lot less.”

Jan: Fitz coming through for Skye and changing her DNA results. Skye was alone, afraid, and didn’t know what to do. Fitz came through for her when she most needed a friend.

6. Who was the MVP of “Aftershocks”?

Louise: Even though he’s still suffering from what happened to him, Fitz gets my vote for how he went about hiding and helping Skye with her new condition.

Leah: Fitz. He being the voice of reason when no one else saw exactly what was going on AND just sitting there on the floor hugging Skye was awesome.

Jan: It has to be Fitz. He’s figured out how to use what happened to him in a way to help others, and that is vitally important to Skye right now.

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