Posts tagged: Marvel’s Agent Carter

Marvel’s Agent Carter S02E09 “A Little Song And Dance” REVIEW

Airing in the UK on Fox TV, new episodes every Thursday
Writers: Michele Fazekas, Tara Butters
Director: Jennifer Getzinger

Essential Plot Points:

• Peggy and Jarvis are being taken away by Whitney’s men following their capture last week. After a fun dance number, Peggy wakes up to see their situation and gets them out of there as quickly as possible.
• After using the gamma ray cannon to close the portal, Thompson, Sousa and Samberly concoct a plan when they realise that Vernon Masters wants them dead.
• Wilkes, now filled to the brim with Zero Matter is taken by Whitney to an abandoned building owned by her new beau Manfredi. There, they try to extract the mysterious substance but to no avail.
• Hoping to defeat Whitney using the Gamma Ray cannon, and get Wilkes back, Peggy joins forces with Thompson, Sousa, Samberly, and Masters. But things are not going to go according to plan if Thompson has anything to do with it.

Review:

Let it not be said that Agent Carter is afraid to do things a little differently. Rather than start off where the characters were left off last week, “A Little Song And Dance” opens with, as the name suggests, a song and dance.

After meeting her deceased brother in a film-noir setting, Peggy is thrust into a musical number with everyone in her life to find out who she’s going to pick: Wilkes or Sousa? It’s a little odd seeing Peggy’s psyche in this state, given that she is merely knocked out rather than facing any mortal danger. Also, why Peggy’s inner musical feels the need to ask the question, “Who do you want to date?” when there are more important things at stake, specifically a megalomaniac by the name of Whitney Frost, is baffling. That’s not to say that this opening wasn’t a lot of fun, it was.

The real showstopper this week, though, was Jack Thompson. Having not been around very much this season, it was interesting to see the man that everyone loves to hate take the lead in this episode. It was also impossible to tell where his loyalties lay in this week’s episode. He switched sides often, and at one point it seemed perfectly plausible for him to want a seat at the table of The Council only for him to then change his motive again. This certainly made his character the most interesting it’s been in the past two seasons.

Another interesting and unexpected sight this week was seeing Peggy and Jarvis at odds with each other. Following Jarvis’s rash actions at the end of the last episode, it is no wonder that Peggy is irritated with him for deciding to try and take revenge on Whitney. We also get some interesting, albeit slightly harsh, comments from the pair about one another. While it was said in anger, Jarvis’s remark that everyone dies around Peggy was particularly bad, though he quickly realises his mistake. Of course, they aren’t mad at each other for long, and it will be good to see them back to their normal selves soon.

This episode ends on quite an interesting turning point before the season reaches the final hurdle. Zero Matter has taken over Wilkes; Thompson is threatening to shoot Samberly; and Peggy has a gun on him. It’s an exciting way to end the episode, and it certainly makes sure that Agent Carter is on its way to an explosive ending.

The Good:

• For the first time Thompson stands out, his unclear motives and the way he kept changing sides made him the most interesting part of the episode.
• It was interesting to see another side to Peggy and Jarvis’s relationship, even if some very harsh words were said.
• The musical number was a lot of fun, and was certainly an interesting and unexpected way to start the episode.
• Although Whitney didn’t have very much to do this episode, her involvement and the exciting cliffhanger means that this series is sure to end with a bang.
• “‘We walk?’ ‘We walk?’ This is your grand plan? Throw me from a moving vehicle only to kill me in an inferno?! What a magnificent idea! What skill! What grace under fire! You’ve really proven your worth to God and county this time, Agent Carter!”
• “You have begged me to bring you on my adventures since I arrived in Los Angeles, and that’s what they are to you – larks, an enjoyable way to spend the evening.”
• “Our job is keeping people safe. If that means using Vernon to take down a lady who kills people with black space goop, that’s what’s gonna happen.”

The Bad:

• While the song and dance number was fun, why did it have to focus on who Peggy was going to choose between: Wilkes and Sousa? It’s difficult to imagine that being the most troubling thing on her subconscious.

And The Random:

• Some of the dancers in the musical number – Louis van Amstel, Dmitry Chaplin, Damian Whitewood, Sasha Farber, Anna Trebunskaya and Karina Smirnoff – are the professional dancers from the US version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With The Stars.

Review by Roxy Simons

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Marvel’s Agent Carter S02E06 “Life Of The Party” REVIEW

Airing in the UK on Fox TV, new episodes every Thursday
Writer: Eric Pearson
Director: Craig Zisk

Essential Plot Points:

• As Wilkes seems to be at risk of disappearing entirely and slipping into a different realm, Peggy is determined to help him stay in a semi-stable form which requires Zero Matter. The only person that they can get that from is Whitney Frost.
• Whitney Frost, meanwhile, finally has the chance to meet with the Council of Nine to show the potential of her new powers.
• Since Peggy is still injured from the escapades in last week’s episode she can’t confront Whitney Frost herself, so she enlists the help of the only person she thinks can stand on her own against Whitney: Dottie Underwood.
• Springing her free from jail, Dottie has to extract some Zero Matter from Whitney without her noticing.
• The mission, which is being undertaken by Dottie and Jarvis, is set to take place at a party in Calvin Chadwick’s honour. Agent Thompson is also there, but for very different reasons.
• Whitney finally meets with the Council of Nine but things don’t go as planned.

Review:

After Peggy’s dangerous confrontation with Whitney Frost last week left her with a hole in her side, she is too injured to take her on again this time. So, desperate to save Wilkes from disappearing completely into another realm, Peggy decides to enlist the help of a familiar face: Dottie Underwood. Springing her free from jail Peggy asks her to extract some Zero Matter from Whitney Frost without her realising, and, alongside Jarvis, the two set off to do exactly that.

“Life Of The Party” is most certainly Dottie’s episode. Having basically not been around for most of this season, we were beginning to wonder why she had been brought back. Now, she gets her chance to flex her muscles once more and it is a joy to watch. Her interactions with every character in this episode are priceless, her intellectual quips with Peggy, her flirtations with Wilkes and the way she teases Jarvis, all of them make her an invaluable addition to the team (even if she was, and still is, their enemy). Bridget Regan is the primary reason why Dottie is such an excellent ally in this episode. Her charming performance and the way in which she delivers her lines make her character all the more likeable, so it is great to see her return to the show.

Her exchanges with Jarvis in this episode are the most enjoyable. His obvious displeasure at having to work with the woman that caused such havoc in the last season is rather amusing, especially when she keeps trying to give him the slip during the party. Dottie continually referring to him as “Jeeves” is fun too, especially since it annoys Jee… sorry, Jarvis so much. Their sparkling dialogue is courtesy of Eric Pearson, whose script is the episode’s main strength. Not only is the comedy on point, but “Life Of The Party” was also the most intense episode of the season so far. Given that it really feels like the characters are up against the clock – and that it is a matter of life of death for Wilkes – Pearson ensures that it was a nail-biter of an episode, and this series’ best outing so far.

Whitney Frost’s development was another highlight this week. Now that she has relinquished control of the Council Of Nine, and has increased her powers to a highly volatile level, she has become a serious force to be reckoned with. It’ll be interesting to see how Peggy manages to outsmart her, since she is currently so powerful that no one is able to stand up to her. One thing is for sure, though; if the series continues at this rate it’ll be hard to question its position as Marvel’s best show.

The Good:

• Dottie Underwood’s return to the series is fantastic. Not only is she great fun with her quips and the way she interacts with other characters but she is also the perfect candidate for the job (even when she ditches her listening device).
• Her exchanges with Jarvis are pretty hilarious, both before and during the party.

• Ana is back! After being sorely missed in the last few episodes she makes a reappearance to help Wilkes out with his experiments. It’s good to see she’s capable of being more than just Jarvis’s other half; maybe we’ll see her join her Peggy one day.
• This episode is definitely the most intense of the series so far. It really feels like the team is up against the clock, and with the development of Whitney’s powers and the predicament Dottie is left in at the end of the episode,“Life Of The Party” is a real nail-biter!
• Jarvis wants a cane with a sword in it – please can someone get him one.
• “The decadence in this place is truly repulsive.”
• “Mr Chadwick is always looking for ambitious men like yourself to do his bidding. You’re just his type.”
• “No window shopping.”
• “It takes more than six walls to hold me.” “Six?” “We’re in a cube, Peggy. Try to keep up.”

The Bad:

• Calvin Chadwick’s plan concerning Whitney and the Council Of Nine was so obvious it’s amazing Whitney didn’t realise what was going on.

And The Random:

• Look out for the not-so-subtle Tiffany and Co product placement in this episode. Pretty clever way to promote the product if we do say so ourselves!

Review by Roxy Simons

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Marvel’s Agent Carter S02E02 “A View in the Dark” REVIEW

Airing in the UK on Fox TV, Thursdays, 9pm
Writers: Eric Pearson, Lindsey Allen
Director: Lawrence Trilling

Essential Plot Points:

• The episode begins with Jarvis and Peggy having an amusing judo match, though we don’t think Jarvis quite realises how much more superior she is to him in hand-to-hand combat.
• Peggy meets Sousa’s new girlfriend, Violet, and they seem to be getting on very well despite his initial fears.
• Jane Scott’s frozen body is stolen right as it is about to be taken to the SSR.
• Calvin Chadwick meets with a mysterious council; all the members are wearing the same pin as the one that Dottie Underwood was trying to steal at the beginning of the first episode. They have decided, to the annoyance of Chadwick, that they are going to close down the Isodyne Energy programme, and all research and information about the project will be removed that night.
• Peggy and Sousa have finally got a search warrant for Isodyne Energy, but when they arrive a “radiation leak” means that they can’t investigate. Peggy turns to Dr Wilkes for help, who asks to meet her alone to explain what’s going on.
• When Wilkes and Peggy meet they begin to get closer, and after exchanging personal stories Wilkes reveals Isodyne Energy’s secret: Zero Matter. This is a new source of energy which was discovered during one of the company’s nuclear tests during World War II. The pair decide to steal the product before it disappears forever.
• Unfortunately for them, they’ve been followed by three hitmen and the pair fend them off before reaching the company.
• At the company Wilkes goes to fetch the Zero Matter while Peggy fights off some bad guys. After successfully transferring the Dark Matter to another container, Wilkes is confronted by Whitney Frost and as they fight they accidentally release the Dark Matter. When Peggy goes to investigate the explosion, but Wilkes is nowhere to be found.

Review:

Following closely on from last week’s episode, “A View In The Dark” sees Peggy fight against the clock to discover Isodyne Energy’s secrets, and the truth behind Jane Scott’s death, before the company destroys all the evidence. There’s danger, mystery, and romance: all the makings of a good-old-fashioned spy thriller.

Opening in a much lighter tone than the first, this episode begins with a sparring contest between Jarvis and Peggy. The former’s strength and skill is hopelessly unmatched against the first avenger, and the situation soon turns against him despite his best efforts. It’s a fun way to begin the story since it brings to mind the antics had by the two in the first series, and the fact that Mrs Jarvis doesn’t bat an eyelid when she finds the two locked in a suggestive pose reiterates the friendship between them. Peggy is truly part of the Jarvis family now.

While their friendship is the heart of the show, it is the development of the relationship between Peggy and Dr Wilkes that is the main focus of this week’s episode. As they have only met fairly recently, it is clear from the offset that the two are well suited for each other. In both the first and second episode the pair teasingly flirt their way through Peggy’s investigation, and the dynamic between them only strengthens as this goes on. This is especially clear in this episode, as, when faced with the impending removal of any and all evidence of Isodyne Energy’s secret project, Peggy is forced to ask for Wilke’s help and he is only too happy to oblige provided she tells him more about herself.

Peggy begins to open up to him, and as the sequence of events unfold the pair must fend off a group of thugs hired to kill them. Perhaps it is because they have been placed in life-or-death situations for the majority of the time they have known each other that the chemistry between them increases so rapidly, but it is certainly due to Hayley Atwell and Reggie Austin’s support of one another that it is so believable. This new development in Peggy’s romantic life is interesting, and while the latter half of the episode is disheartening hopefully things will change as the series goes on.

It is the women of Agent Carter that are the most impressive though. Ana Jarvis, Whitney Frost, and even Agent Sousa’s new love interest Violet, are all exquisitely brought to life by their respective actors. Peggy may be the highlight of the series, but the characterisation of these women are certainly striking. Not only are they distinct from one another, but they also all work well together. Ana and Peggy, in particular, have a relationship that could easily rival Peggy’s friendship with her husband, and it is nice to see the bond continue to blossom in the episode. Whitney Frost, meanwhile, is an intriguing villain for the series. While her role as antagonist to Peggy is only in its infant stages in the episode Wynn Everett plays her brilliantly, and it will be interesting to see how she develops as time goes on.

Things are certainly heating up in Agent Carter, and as the stage for the main event is set it is clear that this series is not one to be missed.

The Good:

• The episoder remains as exciting and intriguing as the first, and it doesn’t seem like the series will be slowing down anytime soon.
• Wilkes and Peggy’s relationship is developing particularly well. Even if they’ve only known each other a few days they certainly seem perfectly suited as they flirt back and forth. The dynamic between Atwell and Austin is particularly exhilarating.
• The women are definitely the strongest part of this episode. Peggy, Ana, Whitney and Violet all have such diverse personalities and characterisations in the show that the variety helps to reinforce the narrative.
• Agent Carter now seems to also be looking at issues of racial diversity as well as misogyny, this is a great addition to the continued exposition of problems in 1940s America.
• Bernard Stark continues his reign of terror at the Stark household.
• “Are you going to punch the whole of LA?” “Maybe, I need a hobby.” This has to be the best line of the series so far.
• “I’ve performed far more strenuous tasks in heels”
• “It’s a perfect liquid.” “Are you talking about Zero Matter or your wine-making machine?”

The Bad:

• “Who’s this clown?” says Sousa to a man dressed as a clown sat in the agency. Really? Did we need this cheesy line? Probably not.

The Random:

• The producers of the show have confirmed that the council of nine that Calvin Chadwick is a part of is the secret empire, an organisation that is part of Hydra.
• Whitney Frost is seen filming, and for a brief second the title of the film is seen: The Woman With The Golden Mask. This not only a reference to her character Madam Masque in the comic books, but is also a hint to her future in the series.
• Keep an eye out for Zero Matter in the upcoming Doctor Strange movie (see here).

Review by Roxy Simons

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Marvel’s Agent Carter S02E01 “The Lady In The Lake” REVIEW

Airing in the UK on Fox TV, Thursdays, 9pm
Writer: Brant Englestein
Director: Lawrence Trilling

Essential Plot Points:

• Peggy Carter is back, and just after capturing Dottie Underwood she is sent to LA to join the SSR’s West Coast branch to help Daniel Sousa investigate the death of a woman found in a frozen lake.
• The woman, Jane Scott, worked as a particle physicist for Isodyne Energy and her death raises many questions.
• Jason Wilkes is a scientist that works for the company, and takes an instant interest in Peggy, offering to help with the investigation in any way he can.
• While looking into the death, Peggy meets the owner of Isodyne energy Calvin Chadwick and his wife Whitney Frost, an actress with dark intentions.

Review:

Agent Carter is back, and this time she’s set to take on Hollywood to solve the mystery of “The Lady In The Lake”. Playing on the familiarity of the first season, the episode opens in New York with a woman in a red hat walking through a sea of grey-faced men. It seems safe to assume that this is Peggy, given the similarity between this and the defining sequence of the first season. Of course that would be too easy, and it is quickly revealed that it isn’t Peggy but Dottie Underwood, who has returned to commit a bank heist.

Soon thwarted by Peggy and the SSR, the confrontation between Peggy and Dottie is the most action-packed of the episode, the fight ending with Dottie being hit on the head with a bag of coins. It is great to see that the series isn’t pulling any punches – sorry – with this opening sequence.

Despite having finally made a break in the New York case, though, Peggy is quickly taken out of the interrogation by Agent Thompson to join SSR’s West Coast division in LA. Working with Agent Sousa once again, Peggy must figure out the mystery behind the death of a woman found frozen in a lake.

The move from New York to LA is a welcome change, since Peggy is finally out of the deeply misogynistic environment of the former city. While LA isn’t completely free of misogyny in this episode, it is significantly less frustrating than what has previously been seen in the series. This is not the only change that we’re presented with in this episode. There are more women noe. One of these welcome additions to the cast is Lotte Verbeek, who is the mysterious Mrs Jarvis that we have heard so much about over the first series. From the get-go, Ana Jarvis is friendly with Peggy and is also surprisingly mischievous. The dynamic between the two is so good that even though Ana is only seen in one scene she is immediately loveable.

Another intriguing new female character is Whitney Frost, played by Wynn Everett. While we are only given a glimpse of her character in this first episode, it is clear that she has much darker role to play in the series and the potential is exhilarating. The introduction of Jason Wilkes, a possible new love interest for Peggy, is also interesting not only because he is the first leading character to be a person of colour in the series, but also because of the actor that plays him. Reggie Austin is great as the quirky yet charismatic scientist, and the chemistry between him and Peggy is fantastic to see.

While Peggy is solving crimes in sunny California the episode does periodically return to New York to focus on Thompson and his potential new career path. While these scenes will probably lead to something more significant later on, they do feel a little out of place here. This may be due to how dislikeable Thompson is, or, more likely, because the scenes don’t involve Peggy. It’s no secret that Hayley Atwell steals the show for her incredible performance as Peggy – she is quick-witted and resilient as she takes charge of any situation presented to her, so when she is not on screen it is noticeable that something is missing.

Of course, it is not possible not to mention James D’Arcy’s return to the series as Howard Stark’s butler Edwin Jarvis. Much as in the first series, Jarvis is charming to a fault, and the relationship between him and Peggy does provide some of the funnier scenes in the episode — driving around with a flamingo in the back seat, anyone? The chemistry between D’Arcy and Atwell is also one of the best parts of the series, so it is good to see the pair back together in LA.

Peggy’s new adventure is undeniably fascinating, and while there are many questions left unanswered by the end of the episode it is clear that there is a lot to be seen as the series goes on. For now it is great to see Agent Carter return in top form.

The Good:

• The opening action sequence between Peggy Carter and Dottie Underwood is a great way to start off the series.
• Now Peggy is finally free from the deeply misogynistic environment in New York, let’s hope she doesn’t have to deal with this as much as in the first series.
• The long-awaited reveal of Mrs Jarvis does not disappoint, as Lotte Verbeek is immediately likeable as the butler’s mysterious wife. Giving Carter a garter with a gun holster in it? This friendship is a match made in heaven.
• The relationship with Peggy and Jarvis is just as fantastic as it was in the first series.
• Jason Wilkes and Whitney Frost are welcome additions to the series, and their potential future in the show is exciting.
• Howard Stark has made Jarvis buy a pink flamingo, and has named him Bernard Stark. He should remain a part of the series.
• “Aside from Danger, my middle name is Charm.” Oh Jarvis, you’re such a smooth talker.

The Bad:

• Once Peggy is away from New York, the storyline about Agent Thompson and his potential new career seems a little out of place.

And The Random:

• The episode’s title “The Lady in the Lake” is reference to Raymond Chandler’s detective novel of the same name, where women go missing and the main character changes location – much like Peggy – to solve the case.
• Tales Of Suspense, one of the films that Jarvis mentions Whitney Frost has starred in, is a reference to the Marvel comic book series of the same name where the character is first introduced. James Wilkes is also featured in the series.

Review by Roxy Simons

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