Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Uprising
Season 4, Episode 3

2/12/2018

Clark Gregg (fg), Jason O'Mara, and Alexander Wraith | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

Unless we take some kind of drastic measure, we'll lose her.
—Simmons, about May, to Coulson and Director Mace

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I don't think there's ever been an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that I haven't loved for one reason or another...or many others. By the end of the season, we'll see where "Uprising" falls, but I liked it a lot. ***Rewatching just the moments where Jemma said that May wouldn't last another day unless they did something drastic and Mace telling Coulson he has to deal with the blackout instead, those were small but powerful moments that turned my "liked it a lot" into "loved it a ton."

Any time Clark Gregg gets to do even the smallest thing, he's just golden, bringing so much emotion to a look, showing Coulson as both determined on the outside and scared as hell inside. Clark brilliantly and subtly conveys the concern of a man trying to keep it together while the person he knows best, the person he loves the most, is dying. He wears his heart, Coulson's heart, in every worried line on his face.

Because it's after 1 AM and I'm still here talking. And that will happen every week until the hiatus and then until the end of the season. And, hopefully, there will be a beyond. ***And we all know there was. Just like the first four seasons, season 5 has been harrowing, beautiful, and amazing as always. With the 100th episode on the horizon, one that's promised to be another game-changer, and knowing what's happened in the first ten episodes, I am filled with nervous excitement. Clark Gregg said it will 'destroy' fans, so I am really on edge, on all the edges there are.

Natalia Cordova-Buckley | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television


Clark Gregg | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television




And then seconds later, Mace lost a half-point with me by keeping Coulson off of the search for a cure for May. He's the Director and needs to make the hard decisions, though, and Coulson knows that. Still, he has a way to go to earn our trust, if he ever can, especially after making Coulson's face do this...

Poor, sad puppy. It looks like Mace just kicked him. But I'm sure the writers are going somewhere, have something very interesting up their sleeve for the Director. Whatever happens, Jason O'Mara is always a joy to watch and I'm happy he's here.

Chloe Bennet | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

My original tweet was, "Good thinking, Skye...I mean Daisy! Thought I was over that." Thought better of it because I'd get snide comments about how that's old news. But I actually did type Skye. I'm worse than Coulson, apparently.

Mallory Jansen | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

I was only sort of half joking about this, but after "Self Control" (s4e15), a musical episode really wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. Every series should have one.


Henry Simmons, Iain De Caestecker, and Clark Gregg | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

"So, no tech, no transpo, no weapons, and our only hope is the professor's slide rule?"
—Coulson
"Yeah, that about sums it up."
—Fitz

I wanted to say "never, ever, EVER," but it wouldn't fit.

Oh, and it's not just about the laughter; he also effortlessly plays the drama. De Caestecker is a phenomenal actor. From the start of the series, I never expected the adorable, funny, quirky scientist would be given so many weighty moments for him to sink his teeth into. But quickly, and all along the way, I learned that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has terrific writers that will bring us surprising things like whisking Simmons away to another world, giving her an entire episode to be phenomenal herself and Iain a scene to scream his heart out. He gave me chills and tears, and "Laws of Nature" will always be a favorite because of that performance. Remember way back in season 1, when he lost it after finding out about Ward's betrayal? That was another beautifully-acted scene. Really, you can take your pick of so many.

Henry Simmons, Iain De Caestecker, and Clark Gregg | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

There's something about this image that I love. Part of it has to be the moodiness, the eeriness of the blackout. Another part, these three heroes going into a bad situation with no backup and only their skills and each other to rely on. But it also has to be Coulson saying "I'm really bummed I missed that," meaning Ghost Rider's flaming head, and Mack responding with "No, you're not."


"Ready when you are, Slide Rule."
—Coulson to Fitz

Brilliant, fantastic, wonderful Fitz triangulating the source of the EMPs with homemade compasses. And Coulson taking over nicknaming duties from Mack? 🤣


Elizabeth Henstridge | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

My goodness, Henstridge was amazing here. The determination to get May back and then the realization that she couldn't was beautiful. When Simmons stopped compressions and apologized to May, stroking her hair, you can't help but tear up.

Ming-Na Wen | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television


"Welcome back, Agent May."
—Simmons
"Did I miss something?"
—May

Love and happiness, puppies and kittens; those are there, too. Because, yikes, that last tweet was a little dark.

Lorenzo James Henrie | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

It usually happens just when you almost think about starting to forget that many characters and a whole universe exist beyond this series. Now someone needs to at least give Clark a cameo in something again! Just the tiniest, "hey, I'm not dead, long story, whole big thing," would be enough. ***It's not actually necessary. I'm totally fine if they never do anything like that, because, while I'm watching this show, the story of these people are what matter to me. But there is a Marvelverse that they are supposed to be a part of out there, and it's just damn cool when part of one shows up in another, because it's all connected. Again, though, I don't need it when everything they do on their own is spectacular.

Henry Simmons and Natalia Cordova-Buckley | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

"You knew we were out there looking for her. You could have helped us. You could have made contact, but instead you used me to get meds for her!"
—Mack
"She's the one who makes contact. And Daisy doesn't want to be found, so you should respect that."
—Yo-Yo


Clark Gregg | © ABC Studios and Marvel Television

"All right, has everybody seen this guy but me?"
—Coulson

Hehe. Poor Coulson. So jealous.

Looking back now on where we are in season 5 and everything that happened in season 4, I couldn't have imagined how right I was. And it was spectacular in the writing, in the acting, in the emotion and scope of it all.

"I hear you're a little bit more yourself."
—Coulson
"I feel cranky."
—May
"Like I said."
—Coulson

As always, there was just too much going on and too many great lines to keep up with. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. never gives me a break. Good thing it's worth the headache and loss of sleep. Until next week. 😘

The Marvelverse Podcast at Across the Airwaves would read listeners' comments at the end of every episode, and I would contribute as often as I could. These lovely people are well-versed in all the Marvel minutiae, sharing their own thought-provoking opinions and insights on things I may not have gone over or never even knew. Sadly, ATA came to an end in June 2017, and I only found out about it months later, right before the new season began, because I had been too busy. Listen to/download their podcasts while they're still available. If you were wondering, comments denoted with an asterisk were added after airing.

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