Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV Series) The Only Light in the Darkness (2014) User Reviews

I still consider it my duty to be the shield that protects them.

[jhudson-11704 · 8/10 · 1 August 2017]

Shield took a little bit of a detour to focus on something mentioned in the Avengers. While it is a great callback and a chance to include an amazing actress, it did give us the chance to let Ward back into the team.

With Ward back on the team, Koenig subjected everyone to a mega lie detector which helped shed light on almost all characters. We found out interesting facts: May was married, Trip's grandfather was a Howling Commando, Fitz needs, and most likely loves, Simmons, Skye finally has her family, and Ward is a good double agent. Watching Ward trying to blend back in was fun and I'm glad only one person found out that he is Hydra. He also proved that he's unpredictably ruthless as he killed Koenig in order to keep his secret while still trying to keep Skye on his side, without revealing his true allegiance.

Having this episode focus on the cellist that Coulson was dating back before the events of the Avengers was a nice callback that delves into the story of Coulson. I also love that they brought in Amy Acker, an amazing actress who is good friends with Joss Whedon. I did think that the bad guy they were chasing, Marcus Daniels, was kind of lame. Sure, he had powers yet his acting was sort of odd, and he was sort of easily taken care of.

+ Ward and Skye + Lie detector scene + Coulson's past + Amy Acker - Daniels was disappointing

Final Score: 8.7/10

Rewatch thoughts

[noorea-85147 · 6 February 2019]

This was a great episode, though perhaps not as good as previous ones, it was nice to see the team trying to do their job as usual except now everything has gone to hell! I guess my biggest complaint about this episode is a hindsight one, because we never see Audrey again, (up to S6 that is, you never know!) so it feels like a a filler, that said, the parts with Ward make up for that, it is super intense even knowing what happens I held my breath everytime he was on screen, powerful performance from Brett Dalton, also from Chloe, the scene were Skye finds out about Ward is so good, and I am forever grateful the show didn't drag the reveal for long, it's really not fun for the audience to be in on the traiter\secret when the characters take forever to figure it out (looking at you Flash!)..I was sad to see Eric die, such a fun character, the lie detector scene is still among my favorite of the whole show.

Going too far

[zoran_kamen · 4/10 · 12 February 2019]

My rating is not for Shield in general, cause that would be 9! Why such low rating then ? Action good, camera great all fantastic but they want too far with stupidity of agents. Until that episode (actually it started already by end of 18th) somehow I thought high about our team and like them all (not Ward i would like him in cold cell not seeing the day again and I would not miss him) but they are little too weak in intuition.First serious flaw ; none called agent Hand to check how it went with Fridge and Garret, even normal agents are often in contact but top agents and in such wartime situation ?! Come on give me a break! Another flaw: Agent Hand was very clear about it that Fridge is well protected against attack and none is suspicious about Ward how he could return all alone! He had blood all over his face- they knew ward well enough that he would NEvER leave his face bloody, he was person that under ANY situation first clean himself, he would never come to date with blood on his face, even myself who is not agent would found this an act! Ward killed in cold blood fake clairvoyant and such top agent should never never do such mistake and they trusted him again so soon, cmon ! He pulled trigger against May after Lady Sif already stopped evil asgardian queen! I could go on and on; for example every agent should have past examined and Garret saved life of Ward, so they should think that he is devoted to him and now suddenly he will find personal pleasure in locking his cell ??! Cmon, thats another great flaw, he would feel bad about Garret and he would of course distance himself from that situation, he owe his life to Garret and now he would enjoy to lock him up! This clearly shows either he is psychopath or something else and none suspected nothing ! I truly quite enjoyed the show until that Turn turn turn episode! After that one I cannot respect those agents anymore, even Coulson was outsmarted by Ward, sad sad sad! I still watched it after but Shiled agents and specially Coulson team, lost much of my respect, I know that strong villain makes things more interesting but Shield was crushed too much, they were fooled up too much and after that episode I still like Shield but I could no more adore Coulson and his team and before I did. So Whedon family are little bit immature here. You destroy somehow heroes so they can become stronger but writers completely crushed our heroes power, confidence and even their intelligence. I think Whedons went too far, you need to know the line. But this was probably mistake of younger whedon and his wife, the older seems to be more mature. Shame they destroyed shield in first season already! Still have those super great episodes before Turn turn turn, for nice memo!

Predictable

[gregoryjames-26718 · 3/10 · 27 March 2021]

Cell phone use to put the team in danger. Every cheesy spy show same lame story line. Boy girl emotions betrayal. Worst episode of season 1.