Hi all! Long time reader, first time contributor. Reading through the comments, almost every thread starts with:
"Marvel is great! DC is great! Marvel sucks! DC Sucks! Here... we... Go...! Stars Flame Wars! Why Can't we all get along! Josh has done it again!" *repeat* *repeat*
I'm more than happy for those kind of comments again! Kinda the point of the thread. But how about we show our work kids? A carefully crafted opinion even! I'd do a poll... but I can't work out how.
Little doubt, that in TV World, the biggest DC TV Show is Arrow (Flash might catch up) and biggest Marvel (well, only at this time) is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
So which is better?
Style
Arrow: Using heroes and villains straight from the Comic Book pages, Arrow is an action packed series, dark and gritty, with a large overarching story, but still with episodic fun. It does fall back on CW Soap Opera roots, with love triangles emerging between several characters and parental issues a plenty.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Trying to carve itself its own corner of the sky in the ever expanding MCU, the show focuses on mostly 6 characters as they episodically deal with the strangeness of the world they live in. Emphasises the weirdness and mystery of the world through character study, hinting at a large overarching plot, and although relationship complexities exist, it is lighter on the soap.
My opinion: I favour the style of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. over Arrow, but if I'm honest, Arrow executes itself better (at least in the early stages). I'm not a fan of the 'will-they-won't-they, who-are-my-real-parents' stories that can be taken from most TV shows, but Arrow knows what it is and does it very well. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. meanwhile took quite a while to get out of the gate, and though I enjoyed every episode, I understand the frustration of the apparent lack of direction early on.
Winner: ARROW
Acting
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.:
Clark Gregg was outstanding in the MCU Movies, and still has plenty of time to shine in the TV Series, but shows signs that he isn't as suited to a full time TV gig. Don't get me wrong, I still like him. Ming-Na is magnificent as Agent May, and has gravitas while still making you laugh - the stand out from the show, and we knew she was quality going in.
Brett Dalton as Grant Ward really shows his acting chops after the big Hydra reveal and is an actor I really enjoy watching. I find Chloe Bennet as Skye endearing, realising I'm in the minority, but her acting is a big one dimensional at times.
The chemistry between Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) is the real stand out, while newcomer Nick Blood's Lance Hunter is a breath of fresh air.
All in all, I think S.H.I.E.L.D. has a solid cast and great for an ensemble.
Arrow:
Stephen Amell is a very solid leading man. He is subtle in character differences in flashbacks and present day, but may lack a bit of the gruff that say Christian Bale bought to Batman. They choose wisely with this guy though, and I'm disappointed he was overlooked in the DCCU.
Emily Bett Rickards, not originally a regular, is the stand out here. Though playing a cliche type character (Female computer geek that is hot all the time, but because she wears glasses we are meant to believe she isn't), but she plays it up amazingly. Not huge on the Oliver/Felicty relationship myself, but understand its appeal. She brings light to some dreary scenes!
Other cast members have had some great moments. Susanna Thompson's Moira was pivotal in season 2, Paul Blackthorne has his pivotal scenes, villains John Barrowman and Manu Bennett all created very real tension and raised the stakes, and David Ramsey's Diggle is a solid character.
But my real issue is with Katie Cassidy, Willa Holland and Colin Donnell. Found them all to be largely redundant at times, and in particular find Katie Cassidy's one dimensional performances irritating. Just my opinion. Give me Amell, Rickards and Ramsey in the Arrow-cave talking about creating computer code over Cassidy and Haynes having dramatic scenes any day.
Winner: AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.
Writing
Arrow:
Head writers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg have created a solid world, vivid characters and exciting climaxes (season 1 final one of the best I've seen).
... I just wish they'd lay off the soap. EVERY Teeny show has done it, and I know they need to do it for the show they are on, but take a page from what Veronica Mars use to do. Have the soap, but have it be part of the story, not adjacent to it. Will likely have people disagree with me here.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Head writers Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen and Jeffrey Bell came out of the gates slowly, I'll give it that. But felt they have remained true to the goal of the series, and stayed on track. After the Hydra reveal, EVERY episode in my opinion has just gone from strength to strength. All the foundations in the early start really coming to a head, while still incorporating new things into the world.
Winner: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Directing
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.:
Feel the show has lacked a bit of direction. Thought Joss Whedon's imagery in the pilot was top notch, but not much else to really point to other than that. Feel they need to find a head director going forward.
Arrow:
Arrow, on the other hand, has really created Starling City. I love the feel, and I love the differences between flashbacks and present day. Hats off to John Behring and his crew.
Winner: ARROW
In the end, it all comes to individual opinion.
They both have huge strengths, they both have weaknesses.
Me? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s steady improvement and world beating makes the show a must-watch for me, while Arrow's soap can leave me a bit frustrated. So Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for me... just.
Sound off below!
Remember, CIVIL war. Civil!