EDITORIAL: Why Shows Like AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Deserve A Chance

EDITORIAL: Why Shows Like AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Deserve A Chance

Rokyn's thoughts on why AoS is a great show and why it deserves a chance. If anything it HAS flaws but not as bad as many of you are making it to be. And this is coming from a DC/Arrow fanboy. I also explore some common trends in the super hero fanbase that I would like to address.

Editorial Opinion
By Rokyn - Oct 19, 2013 04:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.



Rokyn here, the DC fanboy, is back to give you the facts and objectivity. After my defense of Man of Steel, my article on Warner Brothers, and after McNyagano's article on Iron Man 3; I have decided to write a bit on Agents of Shield. If anything, McNyagano's amazing article inspired me to write this. Thanks man.

I would like to let you know that I'm not a big Marvel guy so please know that I know close to nothing on Marvel comics. I will jump around in this article and it's a bit more broad than what the article's title states. Now, let's clear some things out the way first.

Objectivity vs Subjectivity

In several articles I have stressed this very heavily and I am essentially beating a dead horse by now. Most fans/general audiences forget to judge material by these two methods. For example, let's say I hate the Avengers and I disliked the film. Does it mean it's a shit movie? Does it mean it's bad? No, that is simply an opinion and a personal taste issue. Most people do not understand this at all and they usually develop a crowd mentality where they beat up on others who do like the film. Now that is very immature. If I was a critic, would I judge Avengers with a F because of my own feelings or should I judge it objectively? By objectivity, I judge it by the quality of the script, visuals, acting, and if the characters are written well and if the story works. I might hate RDJ but I can acknowledge his amazing talent to play Tony Stark. That's something many critics don't do and they judge entirely by their feelings. I can, in an unbiased and objectively way, critique different superhero films knowing that there are different versions of the character. I'm not saying be a total emotionless objective robot but at least have some emotion sure but also have facts and objectivity when judging and stating your claim. That's enough of that let's move on.

Changing the Source Material

Again beating a dead horse, I believe that changing the source material is a good thing to do unlike most fans think. Sure, when you change stuff just for the sake of change it can be frustrating. If anything, changing the source material can lead to new and creative stories. For example would you rather have seen an Age of Ultron movie with the same predictable take you guys are suggesting with Hank Pym creating him and what not or would you rather see some thing new and unpredictable? It's a no brainer. I may not agree with different versions of stories/characters but I can tell when they are well done in their own way. Having different versions is a good thing; it opens up new storytelling and opens up new possibilities for the characters. That’s where creativity shines. It may not follow the source material and it may not be the your version of the characters but you can still appreciate the differences and judge objectively. Hence, that’s WHY I can say I love and can see the greatness of the Adam West Batman, Michael Keaton Batman, and Christian Bale Batman even though they are nothing like my favorite version; the Kevin Conroy Batman. There will be different versions in the future and maybe one of them could be your version. The same applies to the stories.

Dark vs Family Friendly

There's a reason why Joss Whedon made it family friendly it's exactly that! I can finally watch a superhero show that my entire family can enjoy and my kids as well. That's no disrespect to Arrow but as much as I love Arrow, I can appreciate having something I can show to my little 5 year old in AoS. That's just the way I see it. There's nothing wrong with that and it's not "OH THE DISNEY PRINCESSES ARE TAKING OVER" "OR OH TOO MANY JOKES". If anything those issues you are having are taste issues not objective issues. If you say "Oh I don't mind the jokes but some of them don't work", now that would be a more objective way of saying that. But then again comedy is different for everyone so is it actually bad?

Let's look at Batman and Robin (even though it may be a bad example). The movie isn't bad because it was family friendly but because it treats its audience like they are stupid, the movie isn't smart, and the direction of the movie/script/everything was off. You can have jokes, levity, and family friendly stuff as long as it HAS SUBSTANCE. If it has meat, wit, and intelligent themes encoded in with the levity that is what makes it great. The Batman and Robin movie had no substance and no intelligence. Everything doesn't have to be dark and serious in order to be good and I love dark serious but come on, I want to have a good time too. One of the reasons why Star Wars and The Avengers are great is because they combine those two aspects so seamlessly and the characters transition the story and have development. It's not about being dark or friendly but about having substance in a story and having great characters. Let's move on.

Expectation vs Realistic

One aspect that has hurt the show for a while has been the hype. People hyped this show so much to the point that they were calling it the best show on TV even before it began! That in turn bit them back when they didn't get what they expected and so they hated it because it wasn't what "they" wanted. You fans have to learn to not over expect things and hype things so much but rather have realistic expectations. You know, like wait and see. Don't expect Heroes for Hire, Inhumans, and Iron Fist in AoS because your expectations are going to get shattered. Here's a quote from Whedon:

In a September 2012 interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, Whedon reiterated that sentiment, going on to say "It's new characters. It needs to be its own thing. It needs to be adjacent [to The Avengers]... What does S.H.I.E.L.D. have that the other superheroes don't? And that, to me, is that they're not superheroes, but they live in that universe. Even though they're a big organization, that [lack of powers] makes them underdogs, and that's interesting to me."

I actually mentioned in my Man of Steel article in where some people hated it because they had already had a version of it in their minds and they were expecting perfection. And when the film came out, it wasn't what they wanted and boom they hate it without ever judging it objectively. I'm sorry but that's incredibly juvenile and naive. Prime examples so far: Iron Man 3, Age of Ultron, Batman vs Superman, Batman's new batsuit, role casting, Guardians of the Galaxy, and such. Watch people will be mad if the new batsuit isn't the Arkham suit or if it's not what they want. Hell people had fits because Josh Brolin didn't get the role! Who's to say that would have happen? How about you wait and see and keep realistic expectations.

Giving shows a chance

You can look at statistics that show several ratings for different shows and many people tend to judge them for ratings. Prime example is Breaking Bad. It had a mediocre rating for a while until more people began watching it but does it necessary mean it's a bad show? No, it just means it's not getting enough viewers. Many people gave up on Arrow and never gave it a chance after 5 episodes and now we have more people watching it because of its successful first season. People are now going back and watching the first season on Netflix. Regardless, who knew how good Arrow would get after that? I guarantee you if people like Martian Abomination Clone had given it a chance and watched the entire season, they wouldn't hate on it so much. But I'm assuming so I don't know. Regardless you shouldn't give up on shows so early but instead give chances and if you don't like it fine but you don't have to keep repeating your hatred on the show when others like it. Prime example is the crowd mentality people develop. It's sickening and unfair. I heard the 5 past articles, I KNOW YOU HATE IT, and now you're just simply being an ass.

What works and what doesn't

Agents of Shield has an interesting take on several issues. Again it has substance. Even though I haven't seen the second episode, the other ones all had substance and a central message that had meat to it. The first one was brilliant in where it spoke of you know Gods vs Man, power vs responsibility, the definition of a hero, and it explored the effects of the Avengers on the world. The third one dealt with the idea of having a home, how much government should control, the greater of two evils, and it had interesting character moments but ONLY for some characters. The fourth was great in where it explored the idea of privacy, the effects of technology on people, and most importantly it developed the characters Coulson and Skye even more. Coulson and Skye have probably gotten the biggest development over these four episodes and we briefly get some development on Agents Ward and May. Couslon is the ideal optimist in where he gives people second chances and his reverence for the past is very compelling to me. Couslon is the character who resists change very similar to Batman and his "resurrection" really makes him interesting. Ward and May are the ideal cynical agents who are slowly beginning to warm up. Skye is your typical fangirl computer genius who has a tragic past but she honestly has more to that. Whatever route they are going with her, they are certainly doing a good job of making her relatable and enjoyable. Most of these characters are relatable, fun, and most importantly they have internal issues but that might just be my own opinion. Remember a show can be fun and friendly but it can also have substance. And who knows, maybe Whedon and crew will go darker at the end like many people want.

What doesn't work are Fitz and Simmons, the dependence on the Avengers, and some of the action pieces are a bit wonky and several script issues but nothing too major. Fitz and Simmons have gotten absolutely no development so far and they are just basically "wonder twins". I actually really like them to be honest but I completely understand that they are shallow characters and sometimes annoying. So far they have depended on the Avengers too much but I can understand why they do in the narrative, it's just that they should start developing their own identity. Some action pieces are not well done but it doesn't hurt the story. Actually it improves much more in the fourth episode. I also believe that they would benefit from having a superhero on the team and I thought Mike from episode one would have been perfect even with the Extremis. I hope they plan to bring him back and his powerset would have been handy with the superstrength/superhuman leaping and super durability. But I digress.

And of course it's not a perfect show in where some of the dialog is a bit wonky but it's not a big issue compared to the other good stuff. Some people are really overlooking the positives but rather they're just looking at the negatives which is completely unfair.

Conclusion

I know that a large portion of my article doesn't address AoS directly but it completely shows my defense of it. I honestly believe it's really good show; far from perfect but it has potential. I hate that many people are trashing the show for the above reasons and it's honestly very unreasonable. If you feel it's too light for you then sure that's fine but if anything that's not a flaw but rather a taste issue you have. If anything I'll say that the show does get a bit "silly" at times but not to the extent that people put it. Also try to keep your expectations for GotG, Man of Steel 2, and Star Wars at a reasonable level or else you'll get disappointed if you are hoping for perfection. Anyhow, feel free to post your thoughts below and feel free to post your arguments. Keep in mind I know nothing of the Marvel universe and that I will and always be a DC fanboy. Though, I absolutely appreciate and enjoy what Marvel is doing on the silver and TV screen. Q'PLAH AND JOLAN TRU!

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Rokyn
Rokyn - 10/19/2013, 4:44 PM
Before you eat my article to bits, I AM A DC FANBOY. I LOVE SUPERMAN, ARROW, AND I HAVE WRITTEN EDITORIALS ABOUT WARNER BROS AND MAN OF STEEL. That's all!
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 10/19/2013, 6:14 PM
Great article. Thumbs up.
TheRealDorkKnight
TheRealDorkKnight - 10/19/2013, 6:30 PM
I agree with you mostly.

AoS isnt the best show ive ever seen but it is definitely enjoyable and i am watching it every week
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 10/19/2013, 8:28 PM
Fitz & Simmons will get developed in time, it's hard to develop that many characters in just 4 episodes. Look at Buffy, Cordelia as a character received little development early on, but eventually became a very interesting, complex character. Whedon knows what he's doing.

I agree about the tone. As I have commented before, this is a show that is on at 8:00 pm eastern, 7 central. It has to be fairly family friendly. And some CBMs are just too dark. As much as I loved TDK, I hated that it wasn't really appropriate for 6-8 yr. old kids who love Batman. That is one of the reasons I rank Avengers higher than TDK.

Overall, I really like AoS, and have my DVR set for it every week (I rarely watch shows live.)
Rokyn
Rokyn - 10/19/2013, 8:48 PM
@Lhornbk Oh yeah I can bet on that too. They will get developed and since I know that I really don't mind them to be honest. I've met several people like them in college not as over the top but in that field they are in oh yeah especially the hardcore ones. I agree with you but if I was judging it on watching them on my own I would put the trilogy first but with my own family, Avengers will always be first since it's so well rounded for all ages. That's not really a knock at DC movies just a preference when it comes to my family. Eventually when they grow up, I'll show them the TDK trilogy and Man of Steel. So far they like Reeves Superman and the Marvel movies but they didn't like Batman Forever like I did at their age.
Rokyn
Rokyn - 10/20/2013, 5:48 AM
@0megaDaGod Thanks man.

@MAC I see your point it's fine. Sorry for putting you on blast on my article; you're just the perfect example lol. I actually would like to see your opinion on Arrow episodes "The Odyssey" and "Dead to rights". Whenever you can just pm me a message if you saw them. It's on Netflix.

@Origin It's fine I see your point. Never seen the show but I can imagine it is a great spy show. I respect your opinion completely.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 10/20/2013, 8:48 AM
Cool article! I mostly agree with your general message here, liking keeping expectations at reasonable levels, being as objective as possible, not getting too bent out of shape about changes to the source material, etc. Those are issues that most people don't give a second thought about, and it's refreshing to see that some people still do. Rather than tying this article together with Agents of Shield, I can definitely see you writing an entire editorial expanding on those issues alone. Well done though!

But I have to say I don't really agree with your assessment of the show itself. I don't know quite how to describe it, but I feel like it's trying to please too many different kinds of people rather than just being it's own thing. The characters are bland, boring, and the mysterious nature of their backstories feels so forced and contrived. Compare that with a show like Lost. We were genuinely interested in those characters backstories because they were complex, 3-dimensional characters and their past heavily influenced their present. The people in AoS are cheesy, shallow, and very one-dimensional.

Say what you want about the action, the script, etc (all are very valid complaints, too), but the biggest failure of this show so far is the characters. Just my two cents though.
Archangellm
Archangellm - 10/20/2013, 9:33 AM
@Rokyn
I thought your article was "dead on". As I've said before in past comments - I'm a Comic Book Fanboy. I love it ALL. I love Marvel and DC EQUALLY. Between the two, I don't like one more than the other. I do think Marvel has a clearer plan in their heads about what they want to do and where they want to take their characters but that's simply because WB holds ALL of DC's strings. Truth be told - Top Cow is actually my favorite publisher, but I digress.

Like you, I actually enjoy AoS a lot. It's not perfect but it is solid. And I'm so glad you mentioned "Breaking Bad" b/c MOST people don't remember or care to admit that NO ONE (in terms of numbers) watched the first season. In FACT - AoS's FIRST episode alone had more viewers than "breaking Bad's" entire first season. it's just the nature of new shows. The producers aren't going to make the kinds of commitments fanboys foolishly expect until 1) the show is a BONAFIDE hit (in Hollywood that's the middle to the end of a season 2) and 2) Possibly not until the 3rd season will we see the types of risk episodes that fanboys (again foolishly) wanted right out of the gate.

I'm actually happy that the show doesn't have alot of different "superheroes" running around every week. For the first season, the "tags" at the end of every episode is enough for me. That's how it should be.
acecomics12
acecomics12 - 10/20/2013, 11:27 AM
Agreed...the fourth episode might be my favorite so far. They should stick to that formula..as long as this show is on the air I will be watching.
MisterNiceGuy
MisterNiceGuy - 10/20/2013, 11:34 AM
Nothing enjoyable about this show except for the trailers during commercial breaks. Sadly I will be giving up on this show. From what I have seen it is just not worth my time. Instead I will be starting Game of Thrones.
Battabing
Battabing - 10/20/2013, 12:16 PM
I keep seeing people comment about Whedon's shows getting better over time. "Whedon's shows are a slow build. . ." yada, yada, yada.
Sorry, but these days your show needs to pop out of the gate and provide SOLID storytelling. The general audience isn't going to wait a whole f.ucking season just because you're Whedon or Marvel. If it's not good by episode 5 or 6, they tune out.

Period.

Look at The Walking Dead. That show hooked audiences with the FIRST EPIDSODE!! There's no bullshit Buffyspeak or tawdry action scenes. It was gripping and visceral from day one. If you can't be that on episode 1, then you need a hook on episode 1 to bring viewers back, a la Game of Thrones. Little boy catches Queen shagging her brother. Brother throws little boy from tower window. To be continued. . . .

That's how you f.ucking do it. I'm not interested in the Marvel brand outside of the Avengers, so they have to do a better job of selling people like me (the general audience) on shows that don't feature popular characters. I'm sick of the Whedonspeak where everyone is talking fast at the same time and trying to be witty while doing it. This just shows that Whedon hasn't grown as a writer and he's heading a new group of writers who can't even do it as well as he can.

If you want to watch a real Agents of Shield show, you should probably be watching Ultimate Spider-man on DXD. Granted, that show sucks, too, but it's your best bet for AoS goodness.
MisterNiceGuy
MisterNiceGuy - 10/20/2013, 12:29 PM
@Battabing, So true. Just watched the first episode of GOT and im hooked
TheDarkwolf
TheDarkwolf - 10/20/2013, 12:32 PM
this is like saying, that every incarnation from comics, should be examined on IT'S own merits, I agree with that totally. We were never promised a watered down Avengers, we were promised a peek into the day to day operations of how S.H.I.E.L.D. worked and with that said, I believe AoS has accomplished that, just my own opinion, thank you
thejon93rd
thejon93rd - 10/20/2013, 12:59 PM
Game of Thrones is exactly why Marvel needs to step-up their TV programming, hell they even have a Game of Thrones director coming out with a comic-book movie soon, maybe you've heard of it, Thor: The Dark World, so let's get on with making some great TV series out of characters like The Punisher and Daredevil.
EpitomeofAwesome
EpitomeofAwesome - 10/20/2013, 1:01 PM
Awesome article, bro
JoeMomma29
JoeMomma29 - 10/20/2013, 1:22 PM
Personally I am not liking the show, but that is how I felt about Arrow. So I will loyally watch AOS through the whole season.
TheArchivist
TheArchivist - 10/20/2013, 1:34 PM
I think the show is suffering due to a few recent events, if i can describe them as such. First of all, shows like Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones (which both are incredible shows if I may add) took the wind out of the show, but it still proved some solid numbers. Secondly, after the Avengers everyone stuck to anything Marvel would do, or at least so it seemed, but since the Mandarin twist it seems many people are rather negative towards anything they put out. Hopefully Thor can change this around, but it is difficult to say.

I personally love the show and am surprised of the negative backlash it was getting. Still, I do understand why some people don't like it, it has been trying a bit hard to sell itself as the mini-Avengers, that worked for the first episode. There is a simple new dynamic with shows nowadays and it tried to do its own thing. Gotta respect them for at least trying something new
JorEllinator
JorEllinator - 10/20/2013, 1:45 PM
I gave it a chance, I watched the first few episodes and it didn't draw me in. Arrow on the other hand by the fourth episode "An Innocent Man" (A phenomenal episode BTW) had me hooked.
Kazzers27
Kazzers27 - 10/20/2013, 2:16 PM
Anytime you have start the first portion of your article off by bashing others to build yourself up is bad. I did not get past the part of how people don't review movies correctly.

GET TO THE POINT QUICKER - you sir are boring and pretentious!
Kazzers27
Kazzers27 - 10/20/2013, 2:18 PM
If you want to read an article that gives an objective opinion about Shield then check this out. It at least doesn't wait half a review to make a point.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jacelacob/whats-wrong-with-abcs-agents-of-shield
SoulAllFlush
SoulAllFlush - 10/20/2013, 3:39 PM
AoS has potential (unlike previous tv shows panned after a few episodes, such as Flash Gordon)

And I've seen worse shows make it to 6 seasons. Give AoS a chance and if you don't like it, don't watch it.
McNyagano
McNyagano - 10/20/2013, 5:28 PM
Great article. :D

NoobNoob
NoobNoob - 10/20/2013, 6:39 PM
i think that agents of shield really need a chance, srry im very busy and i didnt read the editorial, but i have an example (srry if it is in the editorial) and is:

Arrow started very slow, i saw again the first episodes and was pretty "boring" in comparation with the episodes after the mid season break, and now is a badass show, maybey agents of shield will be a badass show with the time
Painashne
Painashne - 10/20/2013, 10:22 PM
In looking for a reputable source from a comic book aficionado's standpoint, I hopefully clicked on this article only to stumble through (somehow) this pile of refuse that immediately starts out proclaiming to bring you "facts and objectivity" (fairly counterintuitive when the article is a self-proclaimed editorial).
Not only that but in a horrifying stream-of-consciousness rail against every other person that has dared critique this show, I learned that no one is giving Avengers the chance because they are closed-minded. The author manages to briefly mention his own vague, underdeveloped issues with the show, and instead turns it into an article about how his opinion should be valued above all others. If this is the quality of work that comicbookmovie.com supports, I am severely disappointed that it has managed to outlive sites like MTVGeek and Comics Alliance. At least their collaborators had a good grasp of grammar and topical writing.
PeterDarker121
PeterDarker121 - 10/21/2013, 5:16 AM
@Kazzers I completely disagree that @Rokyn was "bashing" ANYBODY to "build up" his article. He gives the types of unreasonable and obnoxious ways fans unfairly over-criticize AOS and CBM's (but this can also apply to how we as a society critique everything, actually). He also gives examples to back them up. If you're not one of those examples, I don't see why you sound so personally offended.

@Rokyn A few structural problems that could have tightened up your points a bit more concisely, but good article. Overall, I agree with your conclusions.

@bropous Ditto. Well said, but are you suggesting that the haters would get the boner BEFORE pissing in the bowl of Cheerios (due to becoming aroused at the prospect of the hateful act), AFTER doing so (due to their recalling the joy of the act) or DURING (due to the joy of watching the milk in the bowl turn increasingly yellow as they're urinating)?

@Painashne I would consider taking a long look at your OWN "grammar" and sentence structure before you critique anyone else's. Furthermore, I'm not sure if you misused a word, but the subject and content of the article IS topical as it relates to current events.
Newbus
Newbus - 10/21/2013, 9:54 AM
Have fewer episodes, make them longer than an hour and tie them to the film universe.
RAV3RXTZ
RAV3RXTZ - 10/21/2013, 11:40 AM
I have watched every episode so far and have not been very impressed. I expected a much better show to the likes of Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Doctor Who and many other shows out there. I don't get that craving and anticipation to watch AoS every week. Is it Wednesday yet! I don't know how AoS is doing with the general audience if it is not great for fans like us.
Kazzers27
Kazzers27 - 10/21/2013, 12:22 PM
@DuzHeLookLykaB88tch - Please re-read the first section Objectivity vs Subjectivity. This entire section explains how "typical fans" look at a movie one way and he is enlighted to look at it another way. In addition he does the same wen it comes to how critics review the film vs how he reviews the films.

My point was that this section was unnecessary. He was basically putting down anyone who reviewed the show in the terms his deems not proper.

I did not even read the res of the article. I was trying to suggest that instead of spending time putting down others, just jump into the review. It was off-putting and boring.

Much like this post. LOL
Kazzers27
Kazzers27 - 10/21/2013, 12:26 PM
@RAV3RXTZ - You are 100% IMO. I want to love this show. I want to be anxious about when Wednesday night is getting here. I want to care about the characters and root for or against them.

So far the show has not done this. The plots are boring, the characters are typical, and there is no real drama.

Also, IMO if this show did not have the Marvel brand, it would be cancelled by now. Fans are staying with it, hoping for a pay-off. If they do not shape up soon, I would not be surprised if the rating start to drop way down.
Rokyn
Rokyn - 10/24/2013, 8:46 AM
I'm not trying to put anyone down, but rather show an example of what people do when it comes to this. I'm actually trying to suggest a different method of approaching stuff like this. My opinion is not better or over anyone. I even said that if you don't like the show it's fine but make sure you have facts and fleshed out statements to back up your argument. And I also want people to stop trashing each other for not liking the same material. I hope you understand my stand in this.
Rokyn
Rokyn - 10/24/2013, 8:48 AM
The section where I talk about AOS is clearly not objective but rather my thoughts on the show. I repeat, my opinion is not better than anyone else. I'm open to all suggestions and opinions. If I came off that way, excuse me.
DJRock93
DJRock93 - 10/24/2013, 9:05 PM
Episode 5 was definitely not family-friendly lol. 4 had some rough spots as well
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