Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Closure
Season 3, Episode 9 Recap

12/08/2015

Tonight is the last episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for quite a while. Strangely, I'm actually looking forward to the break. I have a number of favorite shows that I want to write for, three of which I actually get to write about. Usually, only two of them I give my time to during any week, which means some amazing episodes are always left out. Hopefully, this break will let me get caught up with a couple episodes of S.H.I.E.L.D. I never talked about. Maybe I'll do a couple posts for The Blacklist, which has had another intriguing year so far, but which I've nearly completely ignored in posts.

Basically, I've only been writing about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Doctor Who for a number of months. They had been duking it out for page space here and for the most part I was able to give relatively equal time to both. But when MAOS had a week off, Doctor Who, which just ended an astonishing season, took precedence; its heart-wrenching, beautiful, bittersweet, and unforgettable run of episodes among the series' best..

So, the Agents won last year and the Doctor won this year, at least in the fall, though S.H.I.E.L.D. has also been just as unforgettable. And "Closure" was another memorable episode, with one character dying, another reveling in the torture of the people who had been his friends, and one's heart breaking again and embarking on a mission of revenge. Those were the major things I remember right at this moment. I do have to watch it again.

Okay, time to stop babbling and see if I can get this done before the season finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. tonight! I wrote my thoughts right after "Closure" ended, but then life got more distracting than it's ever been. What can I say about this spectacular episode while being succinct enough to get this done before dinner time? Well, they upped the stakes again. I don't know how they find a way to do that every season and continue to surprise, delight, and devastate. I found out an enraged Coulson is another Coulson I love. Clark Gregg, as always, was flawless. The opening of the episode was unexpected. I mean I expected it eventually, but not so soon.

I know there are people who definitely didn't want Coulson with Rosalind. She was untrustworthy from the start, but we didn't know much about her and that's exactly why Coulson was cooperating, to find out what she knew, what the ATCU knew, and what was going on. But it wasn't really all that strange that he would start falling for her as he got to know her. He's a lonely guy. He hasn't had anyone since he died and lost his lovely cellist. He just found someone like him, someone strong, someone who know this dangerous world they live in, someone who could banter with the best. The fact that she seemed to forgive Coulson after he accused her of knowingly working for Hydra, and being kind of a dick about it, showed that she was an understanding, level-headed person who was maybe worth the trouble.

I knew she would be found out sooner or later, especially when she said she'd be going back and Coulson was very concerned about that. I certainly didn't expect it to happen right then and there. If I knew someone was out to get me, though, I would never open my curtains...or leave the house. So, it's sad how they ended her so quickly, a pawn in Ward's horrible game. I'm not questioning it, though, because the writers know where they need to go with the story and how much time they have and what it will take to get there. We'll just have to wait and see.

Rosalind's sudden death set up a shocker of an episode where Coulson went a bit off the rails, interrogating his team about how Ward fooled them all, which reminded me of the end of the first season, kidnapping Ward's younger brother, and skydiving to Hell. Without Coulson's recklessness in going after Ward, he may have never gone through the portal. And we wouldn't want to miss the opportunity for what that could bring to the story.

And if killing Rosalind wasn't enough, then crazy ass Ward takes and tortures FitzSimmons with the help of Mr. Guyira (Mark Dacascos). Ward still sees meek little scientists, not having the slightest clue about all they've really been through.

The first thought I had when we met was, 'Wow, this guy's really carrying a torch.' It was sweet, really. Not adult sweet. More like cartoon puppy dog with its heart beating outside its chest.

Fitz and Simmons grew apart and grew stronger before they found each other again. They are still scared of losing each other for good, as anyone with the capacity for love would be, but now they are more determined and bolder than ever. And that's what scares me about Fitz giving in. He would have to eventually or he would likely have Jemma's death on his conscience; and he probably wouldn't have had to grieve for very long, because he would be useless to Hydra. I get that, but he sounded like he wasn't planning or wasn't expecting to come back.

I lost you once. I can't lose you again. I'm just not strong enough to live in a world without you in it.

Hopefully, maybe, possibly - please let it be - this was a really bad move on Ward's part. Not only will he have to deal with our beloved S.H.I.E.L.D. team when he returns, especially if he disposes of Leo or Jemma, or both of them, but he'll have to deal with an enraged Coulson, who he doesn't know has followed him through the portal.

That's it for today. I'll leave you with my reactions during "Closure" and the preview and clips for tonight's episode, "Maveth."

@clarkgregg I loved that opening. Poor Coulson. 😭💔 But awesome fight scene! 😀👍#AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

@clarkgregg I'm a bit scared of enraged Coulson. Fuck yeah! #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

"An old wives' tale that Hydra agents tell their goblin babies." Goblin babies. 😂 #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

"You either step up and do the damn job or you let the bad guys win. The choice is yours." May's right. Nice speech, Mack. #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

"I'm not strong enough to live in a world w/o you in it." Maybe not, Fitz, sweet❤️. But maybe you're stronger than you know. #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

"We're making history today." Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad history. #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

Hydra are quite the delusional bag of dicks. #AgentsofSHIELD

— Erin Bates (@Reinbeast) December 2, 2015

Just to be crystal clear, this is the part where the plan turns to rubbish.

Probably will be one of my favorite quotes from this episodes.

Death is the only thing returning through that portal. Fitz was just an offering to show him the door.

I need this guy dead right now.

Wake up, Ward. This is a snark hunt, and the only reason Malick sent you is because you're expendable.

Ooh, I love Fitz standing up to and mouthing off to Ward. I also love how Iain plays this, because he's visibly and audibly trembling. De Caestecker has just been absolutely amazing.

Where to Watch

"Maveth" will be on ABC tonight at 9 PM Eastern. "Closure" and previous episodes are available on Amazon and various other places, like iTunes, or streaming on Hulu, and ABC's OnDemand cable and satellite channel.