As we get to the final four episodes, we have seen humor, action, tragedy…and no Fitz. But the mission continues, even with the loss of everyone’s favorite 30,000 year old Chronicom. They still have Nathaniel Malick to deal with along with Daisy’s big sister Kora. Somewhere, Sybil is still pulling Nathaniel’s strings and Daisy’s Mother Jiaying is in hiding with Gordon. We also have the puzzle of what Jemma saw when she had her memory briefly returned to her. Did she accidentally reveal Fitz’s location to the Chronicoms? Are her and Fitz really still in the Chronicom’s Mind Machine and this whole thing been an elaborate ruse? What will happen between Sousa and Daisy now that she knows he is “interested” in her? So many questions, and only four episodes left to resolve them. Starting with Episode 10, Stolen.
The Introduction
The end of Episode 8 pretty much showed where Nathaniel Malick’s mind was at as far as Inhuman powers went. He wanted to redistribute them to other people. More deserving people. At least more deserving in his own twisted mind. Stolen brings his plans into focus. He is recruiting. Going after those who had a history with S.H.I.E.L.D. But not in a positive way. This is what brings him to a bar to approach a prime target. The young John Garrett.
Of course, everyone who has watched Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. knows who John Garrett was. As played by the late Bill Paxton, he was a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who felt betrayed by the agency when they left him to die. Because of this, he fell in with Hydra. During this time, he recruited a young Grant Ward. We all know how that ended up. With both of them eventually ending up on the wrong end of dead. But this was before all of that. Now, John Garrett is still easily impressed and who wouldn’t be impressed by a man with superpowers. Especially when he claims to know the future.
Back at the Lighthouse, Mack and the team have once again reconvened. They briefly talk to Agent Glass from The Deke Squad. She has been accepted to S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy (seeing as how Deke didn’t really have the authority to “make” people S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.) She mentions the Triskellion even though in 1983, the Triskellion isn’t in service yet. At least it wasn’t in the original timeline. Times have changed…literally. They discuss what they need to do, with Mack delegating some of his authority to Coulson. He tells them the time line is askew. They need to set it right.
Chivalry is NOT dead
Meanwhile, Jemma, Daisy and Sousa are setting up shop in the research level. Sousa is very impressed by the base and the tech. Daisy and Jemma not so much. Daisy explains to Sousa that they have been at the base a lot over the “years.” Kinda of over it. He tells her he is going to get some rest and asks if he can take her bags for her. She initially refuses but he talks her into it, wanting to put some weight on his new prosthetic.
As he leaves, Jemma looks at Daisy with amusement. She turns to her, with the typical What!!?? Jemma tells her that it could be nice having a man around who doesn’t realize that chivalry is dead. Daisy smiles at that but it is not what she wants to talk about. Jemma was very emotional when her implant was removed. Daisy described it as “devastated.” She was concerned. Jemma, of course, didn’t remember any of it…but it gets her to thinking. Before they can talk any more, Mack calls them to report to the command center.
Jiaying and Gordon Return
They have decided they must deal with Malick. He has taken over AfterLife and it needs to be taken back. That means rescuing the hostages. They also want to protect Jiaying, for Daisy’s sake. To expedite this, they ask Jemma to send a signal to the watch May left with Jiaying. Daisy is concerned about bringing Jiaying there. However, May and Yo Yo know something else that might be an issue. Especially for Daisy. Before this subject can be breached, Jiaying and Gordon appear. She tells the team that they are being hunted by Malick and his minions as Daisy stares at her Mother.
Malick’s AfterLife
Returning to AfterLife, Nathaniel is giving John Garrett the grand tour. He explains that he has been bringing people here that were supposed to die, but is saving them for a grander purpose. They enter the room where Malick tells Garrett that he will meet Sybil and find out about his future. He reminds him that he may not like it. With that warning in mind, Garrett roles up his sleeves and goes to visit Sybil and learn about his future…at least what HAD been his future.
Meanwhile, Jiaying wants to rescue her people. The team tells her that they will help her but she replies that she doesn’t even know any of them. Daisy assures her that they save Inhumans and they will rescue them. YoYo volunteers to go as does Coulson. He considers himself expendable. Mack reminds him that he is FAR from expendable. Coulson counters that he is at least recyclable. They eventually decide that Mack, Yo Yo, Coulson and Gordon will go to AfterLife. Gordon will take Coulson in and he will locate the hostages. They then will return and Mack and YoYo will rescue them. Jiaying offers also to go with them. She worries about Kora. May tells her that her presence might provoke Kora. She reluctantly agrees but asks them to return her daughter. Much to the surprise of Daisy.
A Secret Sister
Daisy and May walk into the Hall and Daisy asks why she wasn’t told about having a Sister. May tells her that they wanted to but they were kind of busy with the time storm. But she tells Daisy that Kora is unstable. She had tried to kill her mother once. For her part, Daisy was puzzled why Jiaying never mentioned another daughter. May surmises that it was perhaps because before Nathaniel had interceded, Kora’s intention was to kill herself. In the original timeline, she had followed through. Daisy then theorizes that it was Kora’s death that made Jiaying leave AfterLife and eventually meet her Father. But in this timeline, Kora is alive and dangerous. Thanks to Malik. So to protect them both, they need to stay at the Lighthouse.
Speaking of Kora, she is watching Nathaniel and his evil scientist take the powers from the knife wielding Lee. He is giving them to another man who once was on the wrong side of S.H.I.E.L.D. But now, he was being given another chance. Garrett watches this and is excited about whatever powers HE might be given. Before this can happen, Nathaniel tells Kora that Lee is in pain. He is suffering and she should put him out of his misery. He tells her that mercy comes in many forms. As Kora approaches, Lee tells her that he should have killed her before. Wrong answer. She uses her powers to bring his suffering to an end. Her first kill at the bequest of Nathaniel Malick.
Garrett looks on in wonder, saying he wants a power like Kora’s. Malick assures him that he WILL get a power, but they must take it from S.H.I.E.L.D. first. Soon, the QuinJet approaches AfterLife. Gordon is handling a gun and Mack immediately lets him know that won’t happen. Seeing as how Gordon has no eyes, it makes sense that Mack might be a little reluctant to arm the man. Like you need eyes to pull a trigger…just to aim.
Pondering the Fitz Connection
Back at the Lighthouse, Deke is looking at the jump drive. He is concerned that the drive appears to be no longer in contact with Fitz. At least, that was their theory going in. Jemma comes to see him and she tells him that they might have been wrong about Fitz’s connection to the jump drive. He may have just programmed it to follow where ever the Chronicoms would lead. Since it’s been damaged, it has not worked as before. She also is now contemplating that something might have happened to Fitz, especially after her conversation with Daisy. Deke didn’t want any part of that possibility. Fitz was fine and he would fix the jump drive to get them home and back to Fitz. He would hear no other options. Jemma agreed with some doubts, but she tried to keep them to herself.
Getting Caught
After the QuinJet landed, Mack reminded Gordon to get Coulson in and get out. No hero stuff for him. Mack and YoYo would wait on the QuinJet for them to return. But if they didn’t hear from Coulson in 30 minutes, they would go in after them. For his part, Coulson asked Gordon if he needed to do anything special for him to teleport. Like maybe Hug him? Gordon told him he found him hilarious. He assured Coulson he didn’t need to do anything but Mack and YoYo should stand back a bit. They materialized inside the facility but were immediately caught by Malick and his men. Gordon was shot and Coulson allowed himself to be disarmed. Sybil had been busy and calculated the odds for their appearance. Or at least the time stream did. Either way, it apparently was correct. Gordon was being taken to become fuel for Garrett. Coulson was manacled and also led to Malick’s treatment room.
Coulson tried to appeal to Malick’s “better angels” as Malick referred to it. He also tried to make him see that following Sybil’s lead is what got his father killed. This pushed a button for Nathaniel as he forcefully explained that he was not like his father. He had no use for Hydra or any of his father’s antiquated beliefs. He was more into Anarchy.
Reuniting with John Garrett
They entered the room to find Gordon hooked up to the power transfer machine. This time linked to Garrett. He greeted Coulson like they were old friends. Coulson at first didn’t place the younger Garrett. But he realized when Garrett described the way he died. For his part, Garrett reported that he didn’t even hold a grudge. He had taken solace by watching Coulson die over and over. Phil asked him which he preferred and Garrett said it was when Loki had stabbed him. Not that he knew who Loki was. He just described him as the long haired guy and how funny he thought that was. Soon the process began as Coulson looked on pensively at Gordon.
Offering the “Squares” Point of View
After getting his sleep on, Sousa caught up to Daisy. He reminded her that she had mentioned Jiaying’s name after whatever Nathaniel had done to her. She told him that Hydra had done to Jiaying the same thing Malick had done to her, but worse. They had cut her to pieces and stolen her powers. But afterwards, things got bad and it all came to an end. A bad one. It was a long story. Sousa wondered if this wasn’t a chance for her to get to know her Mother as she was before all the bad had happened. He knew that he had an opportunity to spend some time with past loved ones, he would jump at it. And if it was any consolation, he would chaperone. If things got bad, he would be there to bale her out. Daisy looked at him commenting how “square” he was. He said that was harsh, but didn’t disagree.
On the QuinJet, Mack and YoYo could not raise Coulson. Mack decided to go after him. YoYo wanted to go herself but Mack wouldn’t hear of it. If they had captured Gordon, then there was a chance they could capture her. She had just gotten her powers back. He would not put her at risk. He would go and send for her once he had located Coulson.
The Teleporting Garrett
As for Coulson, he turned to Nathaniel and told him not to do this. Gordon was just a kid. Kora said that Gordon was given the chance to join them but he had refused. As the process started, Garrett suddenly became concerned he might look like Gordon with no eyes. He didn’t want that. He was having second thoughts. But before he could protest further, he disappeared.
He found himself in the next room. Whatever had just happened, he liked it. Coulson told him he had teleported. Garrett liked that name. But he hadn’t quite learned to control his new power. For Nathaniel’s part, he just wanted Garrett to take him to specific location. As for Kora, she said these events were “written in the stars.” Nathaniel gave her a peculiar look when she said that. Why? Not sure. Does it mean anything? Also, Not sure. No matter, Garrett exclaimed he was ready so he and Nathaniel disappeared in a ball of blue electricity.
Daisy and Jiaying
Sousa and Daisy go to talk to Jiaying. She is frustrated that no one will tell her what’s going on. Daisy tells her that AfterLife is important to her. Jiaying remarks that Daisy knows nothing about it. After a hesitation, Sousa tells her that Daisy had been there. He then tells Daisy to show her what she can do. Daisy spies a glass of water and makes the glass vibrate. As Jiaying watches, she feels a familiarity with her. She asks where Daisy learned to do that. Pausing for a moment, Daisy tells her that Jiaying had taught her, 30 years in the future. As she considers this, Jiaying says that Daisy’s gift is similar to…Nathaniel’s. She realizes that Malik stole that power from her. Jiaying then surmises that it was Malik’s knowledge of the future that lead him to them and allowed him to coerce Kora and turn her against her.
Daisy asked her if she was close to Kora. She recalled that they were almost inseparable in the beginning. She was a sweet, shy girl. But she changed after Terragenesis. Kora could! not control her power and she grew distant. Many of her people wanted her gone. But she knew Kora was worth saving. Daisy sympathizes. She tells her about her mother. She had never knew her Mother until later. After she finally met her, she was not like she had imagined. Jiaying realized that Daisy’s Mother had hurt her. She could only tell her that sometimes when a Mother tries to do the right thing, it comes out all wrong.
Nathaniel and Garrett Arrive
Elsewhere in the Lighthouse, Garrett finally brought Nathaniel to the Lighthouse…after two other attempts. Malik tells Garrett that they will need to split up and asks him if he’s ready. Garrett hits him with a Garrett trademarked quote. “If the job was easy, it wouldn’t be any fun.” At the same time, Coulson breaks out of his manacles and prepares to break through the wall. Gordon struggles to his feet and teleports them out of their cell. But he had expended his remaining energy and passes away.
As Garrett searches he runs into May. She doesn’t know him but he introduces himself and May initially has difficulty getting to him. But she continues to press and starts to connect. His only avenue of escape is to use his powers to get away from the attacking May. She immediately gets on the radio and tells Daisy that Garrett and Malik are at the Lighthouse. She and Jiaying need to hide. But before they can, they run into Nathaniel.
Rescuing the Hostages
Coulson is heading toward the hostages. Mack catches up to him and prepares to call YoYo. Before he can even get the radio to his lips, YoYo arrives. She tells them that May called and let them know that Malik and Garrett were at the Lighthouse. Mack tells Coulson to get Kora and they will rescue the hostages.
The newly knife powered henchman is standing guard and between YoYo’s speed and Mack’s fist, they easily get by him and rescue the hostages. Coulson comes up to Kora who has been apparently waiting for him. She tells him that she wanted to go with him, and meet her sister. Sybil had told her all about it…Right as Coulson ices her. Back on the QuinJet, May tells them that Malik killed Jiaying and he and Garrett are missing. Apparently, Malik wanted something besides Jiaying. Come to find out, that person was Jemma. Garrett finds her and before Sousa can stop him, he takes her.
Conclusion
So the hostages are safe and Kora has been recovered but Jemma is gone along with the Zephyr. Garrett and Malik had taken the ship along with Deke, who they do not know is aboard…I think. Daisy is now the 2nd team member who has lost their parent(s). As for what Malik wants from Jemma, it is the whereabouts of Fitz. According to Sybil, all the possible results that conclude with them failing all include the same thing…Fitz. Uh oh.
Thoughts
There are certain episodes in a series that cause the viewer some apprehension. Some because you suspect what will happen and you hope it doesn’t. Others because you have no idea what is gong to transpire and that makes you nervous. The Battle of the Bastards in Game of Thrones was such an episode and so was this one. For some reason or another, as it progressed, I had a nervous stomach. That either means I take my TV much too seriously, or the writers are doing their jobs. I put it in the latter category. It CAN’T be my problem. Regardless, the episode leaves the viewer with even more questions and with only two weeks left, little time to resolve them. Such is the stuff of good drama.
Great casting to have Bill Paxton’s son James play his John Garrett character. At times, I could see the family resemblance in the Devil May Care performance. A lovely homage to the late great actor. It would be interesting to see how this turn of events for Garrett effected the future Grant Ward. Garrett was his mentor and lead him down a dark path. Where will Grant end up in THIS timeline? Will we possibly see him in the final three chapters of the story? That could be some fun.
The missing Fitz has been a matter of contention for fans and storyline alike. Apparently it is a matter of contention for Sybil and Nathaniel as well. They are aware that Fitz is the only one standing in the way of their goal of world conquest. Well, at least in Sybil’s goal. Who actually knows how much of Nathaniel’s thinking has been shaped by Sybil. Nonetheless, the final three installments will be must see TV. Have you been keeping up with Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? If not, shame on you. Redeem yourself by bingeing this season to catch up. If you have, what do you think will happen? Share your conjectures with us at GeekVibesNation.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.