MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: Connections, Easter Eggs, Plot-Points.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.LD.: Connections, Easter Eggs, Plot-Points.

A look into last night’s premier episode of Marvel's highly anticipated new tv series, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., in relation to not only the Marvel cinematic universe, but the comic on which it's based also. Read on for more..

Feature Opinion
By Paulley - Sep 26, 2013 06:09 AM EST
Filed Under: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

We are entering a brave new chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its progress from movies, shorts and tie-in comics to its arrival on TV screens via Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which aired in America last night. So I thought I would take a look at some of the references and easter eggs and share with you some of my own thoughts and opinions. Warning for those of you that haven’t caught the episode yet there will be some spoilers ahead.

Quick Review
Despite a slightly slow start, some questionable camera placement and the occasional dodgy CGI, the show really comes into its own by the second act with great characters and interesting setups for the future. The show in my opinion was a little heavy handed in its connections to The Avengers movie, though I guess this was its major selling point so it was to be expected.



Avengers connections
For the most part the subtle references and the use of clips from The Avengers and other phase one movies were fine but when it came to the plot-point of the episode: the amalgamation of all the superpower enablers of each franchise it came off like a bit too much, along with some of the more forced references to specific Avengers. However, it was nice to see the Chituari, Loki and Black Widow get a mention even if Hawkeye once again got missed over except for an action figure.

Cobie Smulders return as Maria Hill was also welcomed and the explanation (and then new mystery) of Agent Coulson’s death will keep me back for more.

The Mobile Command Unit, the teams flying base of operations were apparently popular in the 90’s before S.H.I.E.L.D. got its helicarrier. The brief mention of S.H.I.E.L.D. covering up the destruction of Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. and New Mexico was good and unexpected, while the final scene of the episode revealed that Howard Stark worked out the problems of his flying car idea for a really cool nod to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s high-tech 60’s James Bondesq spy roots.

The previously mentioned superpower enabler, the Centipede, featured another remake of the super-soldier serum (seemingly with the same addictive quality Blonsky succumbed too in The Incredible Hulk), Gamma radiation and Extremis, all wrapped up in alien tech. Not sure the gamma radiation was need especially as it didn’t seem to turn people green like it has in previous uses with Hulk and Abomination and the use of the serum and extremis would be enough to account for the increased strength but thats just me nit-picking.



Future
Along with the “other interested parties” and Coulson’s “death” being series wide arcs it looks like Agent Wards “family history” seem like something that will pop up in a future episode.

Skye’s spider-man reference was probably the closes thing we will get to having Spidey in the MCU, while I would love to get some hi-def stills of the inside of Skye’s Rising Tide office/van; as I would like to read more about the “Flying man found dead” and the Kid Hero. Also her own history seems shrouded in mystery too.

The term “Unregistered gifted” by Hill was intriguing, just to think that one day down the line the idea of registration could make its way to the MCU.

Apart from “Journey Into Mystery” I didn’t hear any other book titles mentioned but I was half expecting “Strange Tales” to pop up somewhere.

All in all this show is a great new addition to the MCU and I for one will be really interested to see how they develop the characters and mythology futher in the future episodes.

Did you guy notice anything else I missed? Let me know in the comments below

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ROBBEATZZZ
ROBBEATZZZ - 9/25/2013, 7:48 AM
im curious as to what organization agent Ward was fighting in paris france in the beginning..i know Baroc the leaper was once mentioned to be in cap2..wonder if thats some connection
SKOne
SKOne - 9/25/2013, 9:22 AM
In the first few minutes, they also talked about a guy named Longshot being involved in a deal, but I didn't know if it was the same as the Marvel character. There is also a star above his apartment door entrance like the one that is his scar in the comics.
ROBBEATZZZ
ROBBEATZZZ - 9/25/2013, 9:35 AM
@SKOne wow that snuk by me interesting..but i thought longshot was more xmen related
SKOne
SKOne - 9/25/2013, 9:42 AM
@ROBBEATZZ,

Yeah, I didn't notice a few of the details until I downloaded the episode on itunes. I also think Longshot may fall into that grey area with the Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch licenses.
ROBBEATZZZ
ROBBEATZZZ - 9/25/2013, 10:19 AM
@SKOne..yea most def..ok that makes sense about longshot
SKOne
SKOne - 9/25/2013, 11:36 AM
@ TheHawkWithin,

The first few minutes with Agent Ward in London, he retrieves a Chitauri device from an apartment later said to be owned by Longshot when he was talking to Maria Hill. It goes by really fast, so it is easy to miss.
sikwon
sikwon - 9/25/2013, 12:12 PM
Its tv, marvel can use ANY character. And if im not mistaken (I could be because it's been a while) but isnt Longshot also Kree related?
Wingding
Wingding - 9/25/2013, 1:28 PM
They keep saying "Tahiti is a MAGICAL place." Is this Doctor Strange related?
ruadh
ruadh - 9/25/2013, 1:54 PM
Whedon etc were saying that "who killed Coulson" ties in with how he's resurrected, so I assume the "magic" comments about Tahiti are actually about Asgard. Maybe he went to Valhalla.
inkslinger616
inkslinger616 - 9/25/2013, 1:58 PM
I think the tahiti reference is more in line with Brother VooDoo which if he makes an appearance I will be supremely happy to see jericho Drumm on this show and maybe later working with the good doctor in a movie
ruadh
ruadh - 9/25/2013, 2:57 PM
There was a bus with a Stark Industries ad on the side...that's the only one I can think of at the moment that wasn't mentioned.
HulkbusterNYC
HulkbusterNYC - 9/25/2013, 6:07 PM
I forgot that because it's a TV series they can pretty much use any characters they want. Interesting.
Starkasm
Starkasm - 9/25/2013, 9:17 PM
Littke nod to Winter Soldier when Ward mentioned the cold war
Wolverine19742
Wolverine19742 - 9/26/2013, 8:52 AM
A Flying man found dead could be a Coulson’s death reference. He was killed in the Helicarrier and it was in flight at the time that he died.
werner1983
werner1983 - 9/26/2013, 9:01 AM
You guys really think that Coulson could a Life Model Decoy? Interesting.
Mysterion
Mysterion - 9/26/2013, 9:01 AM
hopefully we will see a Nick Fury cameo in the near future...Sam L. Jackson has publicly said that he would be down for a couple of cameos.
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:02 AM
When they were getting onto the Shield Aircraft Coulson mentions a joke about a guy that hates flying and then when Ward doesn't get it he says oh never mind you missed the joke. I kinda thought he was referring to Wolverine and how he doesn't like to fly. Anyone else get that feeling?

His joke was definitely referring to someone.
chrismyers
chrismyers - 9/26/2013, 9:05 AM
could be a reference to zod lol
tomasocelot
tomasocelot - 9/26/2013, 9:05 AM
that would be cool if it turns out Coulson is a skrull.
SmokinIndo
SmokinIndo - 9/26/2013, 9:06 AM
Its pretty obvious that Agent Coulson is just an LMD with false memories. This was implied when Agent Hill said "he can never know" (about his ressurection)
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:12 AM
@Maxi Yes definitely, some people were complaining about the references but I say bring them on. I love it. The reason I though Wolvie was just because its a recurring theme with Jackman's Wolvie and it just took me back to that scene in Origins where they are all on the plane and he hates flying and it just keeps coming up. I get that its difference universes but Marvel is still Marvel and they will still respect their own properties.
superotherside
superotherside - 9/26/2013, 9:16 AM
I loved all the references, also the little mysteries seem that they may have interesting connections. Hopefully they'll be able to tie in bigger characters that are actually from the comics.
marantaz
marantaz - 9/26/2013, 9:20 AM
I haven't had a chance to go back and look, but did anyone notice the image on the kids shirt? A quick glimpse made me think it was the Black Panther, but I'm probably wrong...maybe just another Averngers reference. You guys noticed a lot more than I did, so I'm watching it again tomorrow night along with Sleepy Hollow for the first time.
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:29 AM
Considering that Howard Stark's flying car made it out of the Expo, then the Human Torch body must have made it out as well. I wonder where that thing is? Shield has to have it.
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:33 AM
@Maxi This is true, I'm thinkin the show is gonna keep us guessing. The joke has to be about someone important for sure. Coulson woudn't have dropped it otherwise.
marantaz
marantaz - 9/26/2013, 9:39 AM
continuezero, maybe Coulson is the Human Torch!

why not?

I think we may find out more about Coulson in the next episode... a hole in the plane can cause some damage to the body, even an android one...
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:45 AM
@Intruder I think thats the beauty of the show, there was so much for us fanboys to pick at.
continuezero
continuezero - 9/26/2013, 9:55 AM
@Intruder It would make sense to tie into Avengers 2 and Ultron and they could get Vision into the Universe through the show. I didn't realise you were a writer, I am as well so maybe great minds just think alike.
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 9/26/2013, 10:34 AM
FYI, They can't use character that Fox and Sony have the film rights to. Even on TV. That's how they got sued for Mutant X tv show. They didn't beven us any X-Men characters, but what they did was too close to X-Men and they had to discontinue the show.

SoundWave
SoundWave - 9/26/2013, 10:38 AM
@SKOne sadly It wasn't "Longshot" it's Vanchat. It's cleary hear and also you can look in subs =)

and I can't find any Marlvel note about who is Vanchat =( just again "special for TV-series" boring character and no way to reference Marvel CB. =(
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 9/26/2013, 10:39 AM
That said, Marvel still has the rights to hundreds of cool characters that will never wind up in the movies. Please Marvel/Disney, learn from Smallville. I took WB like 4 seasons to start using actual comic character for cameos and villains, etc. Then the show lasted 6 more seasons...
Paulley
Paulley - 9/26/2013, 10:54 AM
@moonDoggy Well we have Graviton to look forward too and who know who else.

The fact that each week we get another 45mins of time in the MCU to dissect and speculate through is just fantastice!

@continuezero: i can picture Howard Stark meeting with Professor Phineas T. Horton at the expo and later recruiting him for SSR / SHIELD ;)
BlackHulk
BlackHulk - 9/26/2013, 10:58 AM
Im inclined to believe that Coulson is actually dead and the guy playing Agent Coulson is actually a life model decoy. The doctor who told Coulson to get some rest was very suspicious.
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