Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roundtable: “The Inside Man”

The partnership of Coulson and Talbot got off to a rocky start. Ward’s corpse got a new start (through the ultimate sacrifice of others). Hunter was suspicious of an old enemy turned ally. And Jemma found a clue that might help to stop more humans from turning Inhuman.

1. Did you have any suspicion that Talbot was the “inside man”? Were you shocked when he betrayed Coulson?

Roz: I didn’t know what to expect, but once it happened, I wasn’t shocked. So I guess to the first, no I didn’t suspect him, but once it happened, it fit Talbot’s general demeanor towards SHIELD.

Rueben: I can’t say I was shocked, but more disappointed. And, soon enough we saw Creel save the day (and them) so it felt more like Talbot was only doing enough to save his son, which was his ulterior motive.

Liz: Yes. I didn’t see that coming at all. Having said that, I am glad it was only because Malick had his son. Talbot has been a nemesis of Coulson’s, but he’s military so I have never seen him as a bad guy.

Jan: I was shocked when he was exposed as the inside man, and shocked again with the reveal that it was because Malick had his son. Great twists!

2. What were your thoughts on the gruesome yet very effective rejuvenation of Ward’s body scene?

Roz: Yeah, that’s something I’d rather not have to watch again and again.

Rueben: It was an even worse “sucks their souls” moment than what was depicted in the film The Mummy by Imhotep, combined with being “gooed” by those plasma ghosts in Ghostbusters and then him rising up like a Terminator. Sorry, I couldn’t resist all those imagines rolled up into one quick scene. In short, it grossed me out and I never want to see that again.

Liz: Gruesome is right! Ew! I’m actually more curious about Hive’s absorbing information on humans. Their history, their biology, current affairs. He’s not just been feeding his body, he’s been feeding his mind and I think that, plus all the memories he has, will make him unstoppable. He’s frightening on a level that Hydra never was.

Jan: A little disturbing, but awesome! I’m just glad to not have to see him looking like death anymore. This new entity seems pretty scary, with powers beyond what SHIELD has encountered before.

3. Were you surprised to see Creel’s return? After all he did for the team (even Hunter), do you believe Talbot is right about his trustworthiness?

Roz: I was, but I think in this game with so many disparate interests, seeing old players back again can’t be ignored. As to if Talbot was right, I guess more time will tell, but he’s looking good to me.

Rueben: Not really because it only stands to reason that we’re going to see familiar faces return one way or another because we are obviously heading toward a big showdown between the new Grant, Malick and the Inhuman army he plans to build versus Coulson, the SHIELD agents and the presumed meager Inhumans on their side.

Liz: I wasn’t surprised by Creel’s return, having seen him in the preview clips from last week, but I think he’s proven his trustworthiness. I wouldn’t want to be BFF’s with him, but again, I have to refer back to Talbot’s military training. He trusts Creel for a reason.

Jan: He really came through when needed. Hunter will obviously never trust him, but I believe Talbot’s trust in him says a lot.

4. Daisy and Lincoln seem to be a real thing now. Do you like the coupling? Should we call them “Lazy?”

Roz: Meh, I think this show does best with it avoids shipping so I’m not so into this.

Rueben: I’m okay with their being a couple, but only on the periphery because they’ve got way bigger issues to deal with like that pending war that is coming.

Liz: I’m glad for the pair, but I’m not into the romances on this show at all. I just don’t care much about them. And please, can we not blend their names together? I’m so over that.

Jan: They seem to be a good fit, at least for now. Not really into the couples. I know some are, though, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it did amuse me thinking of what their name would be. Like Rueben, I prefer it stays in the periphery.

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

Roz: Watching May with that delivery truck and the guy who just fell out made me smile.

Rueben: I agree with Roz, the scene with May, the van and that guard falling out of it.  Her face was priceless. But I also want to note that the line Talbot said about holding Coulson’s robotic hand – that was pretty funny.

Liz: I loved the scene with Coulson and Talbot in the cell together. Those two crack me up! I like the relationship. And Coulson isn’t finished with the ‘hand’ jokes yet. That’s funny.

Jan: Coulson and Talbot escaping, Coulson asks if he can give him a hand and Talbot grabs Coulson’s artificial hand from the table. I laughed out loud.

6. Who was the MVP of “The Inside Man”?

Roz: I’m going with Coulson this week just because he played a very difficult role very well against Talbot at the summit.

Rueben: For me, I think it was Bobbi and Hunter. They not only took down that guy who had them pinned, but they also were in the “belly of the beast” on Malick’s plane.  Somehow I don’t think that is going to end well.

Jan: I’m going to go with Hunter on this one. If he hadn’t been so stubborn and persistent in his distrust of Creel, the team wouldn’t have been tipped off as to what was really happening at the summit. His leaving his post could have gone very badly, and I expected it probably would, but it actually helped save the day.

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

Photos courtesy of ABC/Kelsey McNeal/Nicole Wilder