Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV Series) Deals with Our Devils (2016) User Reviews

A lot's going on here

[ericstevenson · 10/10 · 30 November 2016]

For me, this is an extremely memorable episode because of the unique setup. This episode started off as really confusing to me, but then afterwards it all made sense. What this does is actually show scenes without Coulson, Fitz, and Robbie. We then find out that they've been transported to another dimension and are able to see the other characters in their old one. We get more scenes like this and we are shown the scenes of the original characters not reacting to the three characters present. I think this is the first time I've referred to the character as Robbie and not Ghost Rider. This is because this time there is in fact a distinct difference between the two.

After being trapped in the other dimension, the Ghost Rider spirit decides to abandon Robbie and possess Mac. It's easy to tell something was up with him. Hey, I figured out another character's name! There's a lot of them, okay? The best scene is probably near the end when the Ghost Rider spirit as Mac confronts him and mentions that this is the first time they've actually been separate and talking to each other. I was afraid Robbie wouldn't make it, but he does get back to the original dimension like Fitz and Coulson. We get great tension being built up here. Then again, the next episode implies that Robbie might leave. Maybe Johnny Blaze will take up the mantle instead? I like the last scene which shows the robot mapping out a human brain implying that she may have been affected by the book after all... ****

best 'sode in a very very long time

[A_Different_Drummer · 9/10 · 15 January 2017]

Good news and bad news.

Which do you want first? The good news? OK. This is the best episode in a long time. The trope of re-playing the same sequences first without the ghost characters and then with them -- well, it has been done before, but Team Whedon pretty much nails it. Fun, interesting, engaging and humanistic. Even with a robot to the rescue, still very humanistic. Top rated. Love it.

The bad news? Team Whedon is a family that loves the long arc. In other words,Joss and the writing team see nothing whatsoever wrong with taking 5 or 6 full episodes to build a story and a payoff.

The problem is that, in the Golden Age of Whedon, when he had two full networks running two entirely different shows of his (Buffy and Angel) that sort of creative license was permitted because fans were loyal and willing to wait.

The experts in Quantum Physics (not on the show, in real life) tell us that time is compressing at this juncture. Something to do with accelerating particles. In any case, I am no longer convinced that the writers have the luxury of taking a half season to get this kind of payoff, good as it is.

Re-watch thoughts

[noorea-85147 · 30 March 2019]

This episode is an underrated gem IMO, the concept is brilliant, it was really fun to listen to the actors and director of the episode talking about how they did scenes twice, it was really done well, though I do wish they would have cut back and forth between "dimensions" more often, so scenes makes sense right away instead off after 10 minutes, minor gripe though, because the concept is still brilliant and well executed. There were also some great character moments, we get hints of Mack's past, we get May desperation to save Coulson, and Fitz and Coulson hashing out how they feel about the later stepping down...also Fitz threatening a man who can break him in half was just adorable! I continue to like Mace despite him being such a politician, he asked to get consolation for Gabe, no one ever does that in shield, I think his red tape policy while frustrating, is still refreshing to have around.