Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Mastodon Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - One Door Closes - Review


    Enable Dark Mode!

  • What's HOT
  • Premiere Calendar
  • Ratings News
  • Movies
  • YouTube Channel
  • Submit Scoop
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Privacy Policy
Support SpoilerTV
SpoilerTV.com is now available ad-free to for all premium subscribers. Thank you for considering becoming a SpoilerTV premium member!

SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - One Door Closes - Review

Apr 7, 2015

Share on Reddit


Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., “One Door Closes,” was written by the team of Lauren LeFranc and Rafe Judkins and was directed by David Solomon, whose many credits include Dollhouse, Buffy, and Firefly. The episode features flashbacks to the day S.H.I.E.L.D. fell and gives us some insight into how the splinter S.H.I.E.L.D. came to be and reveals what’s motivating Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) and Mack (Henry Simmons). It looks like the team may be losing Skye (Chloe Bennet).

One of the great things about the show is how it opens up the Marvel universe. In this episode, the flashbacks show us another glimpse into what was happening to the “regular” soldiers during the climax of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I loved the feel of the flashbacks in contrast to the present storyline. It’s clear we’re in the past as the color is mostly washed out to give everything a slightly grey, grainy feel.
Just as we know our team went through a traumatic series of events, we see Gonzales (Edward James Olmos), Bobbi, Mack, and Hartley (Lucy Lawless) fighting for their lives and ultimately their ship. The first scene we see is HYDRA taking over the engine room. The HYDRA agent once again bemoans the bad press of people still harping on their relationship to the Nazis. The HYDRA agent wants to know who the Chief engineer is, but Mack stays silent. Instead, Tim (Mackenzie Astin), who is Mack’s wounded friend, says he is. It’s a nice Spartacus moment that results in Tim’s death, which clearly affects Mack deeply.

I loved all the fight scenes in this episode – it’s just literally action packed. I loved Bobbi using her phone as a distraction and then her slow-motion bad-ass entry to save Mack and in turn be saved by Hartley’s knife. There are a couple of great moments between Palicki and Lawless. Bobbi tells Hartley, “I just love your whole thing” which is a fitting tribute to the woman who brought Xena to life and helped to forever change the way we saw women in these roles. I also loved how Bobbi commented on how heavy Hartley’s knife was – it’s a sort of passing the mantle of female action-hero.

It’s interesting to see how each of them deals with Fury’s final orders. Bobbi is prepared to go down with the ship because that’s what Fury ordered. Mack doesn’t want Bobbi to sacrifice herself and both he and Gonzales insist on helping her finish her mission rather than simply leaving. Hartley not only clears the way to get Gonzales off the ship, she takes back the top deck. Mack it the first one to suggest they take back the ship, but at first the others don’t believe they can. It’s Bobbi who really disagrees with Gonzales who is prepared to follow Fury’s orders to the end. Mack wants to know since when Bobbi didn’t fight for what she believed in – saving the other men and women who are about to go down with the ship. Bobbi suggest maybe it should be a democracy – the world isn’t the same as it was yesterday and they need to do something to stop this. Clearly, they do take back the ship, and whatever was so important on the ship is still there.

We also learn what happened to Agent Weaver (Christine Adams) at the Academy, though we don’t see it. Agent Calderon (Kirk Acevedo) and his men were the ones to save her and others from the Academy. He tells Bobbi later in the episode that HYDRA had unleashed Inhumans against them and that he’d found Agent Weaver going toe-to-toe with one of them, presumably arriving just in time to save her life. This certainly helps to explain his attitude toward Skye and why he foolishly brings a gun to a fight with an Inhuman.

The present storyline finds Coulson (Clark Gregg) on to Mack, but surprised by Bobbi, which is his – and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s downfall. When Bobbi apologizes for Hunter (Nick Blood) Coulson tells her it’s on him and not her fault – and that he has other feelers out for Hunter. He tells Mack that he easily found the extra component he’d hidden in toy Lola, and wants to know who Mack is working for. I loved that Coulson said, “You’ve always been brutally honest with me, and I value that.” Coulson is a good leader because he does listen to all the evidence and weigh it before making any decision. He quickly realizes his mistake with Bobbi and sets May (Ming-Na Wen) on her. We get a terrific – if much too short – fight between May and Bobbi.

Meanwhile, Skye is video-chatting with Jemma (Elizabeth Henstridge). It’s interesting how they are all using first names now – Jemma calls Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) Leo, for instance. Jemma clearly wants to know if Skye has put the gloves on yet. Fitz is still angry about Jemma treating Skye like a science project, but she insists she’s just trying to help her. Skye does try them on and then tries to call Jemma because they make her feel woozy. When she then takes them off to run her arms under cool water, Skye discovers that she can bend the water into a corkscrew. It’s a terrific effect. Skye actually seems to be able to control the water and smiles to herself – and who wouldn’t? It’s totally cool! Did the gloves help?

Jemma doesn’t answer Skye’s call because the attack has begun on the bunker. I adored that Jemma got the drop on Bobbi! I loved that she’s dithering, digging around in a box for something or other and Bobbi clearly doesn’t suspect her for a minute and simply takes the two things she hands her – which then knock her out. Our Jemma has come a long way as a secret agent with her lying skills.
May finds the gas mask too late in Bobbi’s locker. The rest of the team end up gassed. Fitz almost gets blown up as the splinter S.H.I.E.L.D. blows their way in but Mack throws himself over him to protect him. There is a fabulous scene after they’re captured with Fitz and Simmons sitting on the floor side by side. She reaches over to take his hand, and he places his on top of hers. Weaver comes to them to ask for Simmons help in treating Mack. She looks at Fitz and he simply nods, so she agrees to go with her. This underscores that Fitz isn’t devastated by Mack’s betrayal because unlike Ward, Mack tried to protect Fitz.

Gonzales has Coulson brought to him and this is just a fabulous scene between these two actors. The opening dialogue proves that Coulson is the rightful head of SHIELD as Gonzales introduces himself and starts with “you may not know who…” and Coulson interrupts him to say he does – and proves it. He also tells him that he spent months looking for him because he heard he was a good man and wanted him on his team. Gonzales says that he doesn’t feel that Coulson is even as good a man as he was two years ago, and Coulson says, “You didn’t know me then, and you don’t know me now.”

Gonzales’ big problem is, of course, the alien blood used to bring Coulson back from the dead. I loved Coulson’s response: “I didn’t ask for that, but I’ve come to appreciate the gesture.” So have we! Gonzales is going on Weaver’s assessment that Coulson is now some messenger for an alien race and tells Coulson they are also worried about his protégé – Skye. Coulson insists that he went to Puerto Rico to destroy the alien city and get Whitehall – and he did both those things. Again, proving that he deserves to be the Director. It’s only because HYDRA has been disrupted that Gonzales can cause this internal split in S.H.I.E.L.D.

Gonzales insists that Coulson was created by Fury not merely appointed. He also insists that it was secrets that brought S.H.I.E.L.D. down while Coulson insists it was HYDRA. Gonzales gives the toolbox to a guard to give to Weaver to have her and Fitz-Simmons (I loved that he used their “unit” name!) figure out how to open it. Coulson tells him they won’t help him, but Gonzales says that they are S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and he’ll let them make their own decision. And of course, May shows up at that moment to shoot everyone and say she’s made her choice! Coulson compliments her on her “really nice entrance”! May insists Coulson take a go-bag and get out because without him there is no S.H.I.E.L.D. She stays behind to look after Fitz and Simmons – and presumably everyone else who will remain loyal to Coulson.

Skye meanwhile is investigating her surroundings. She pries off part of the wooden wall to find a gigantic hulk fist impression in the underlying protective wall – the same they have on the bus in the interrogation room. We learn later that the retreat is “the house that Banner built” confirming who the fist belonged to. Skye gets a visit from Gordon (Jamie Harris). He certainly seems like a good guy. He tells her he’s come to help her. He can’t imagine what her transformation was like with no preparation and no support afterwards. He tells her that his mentor embraced him after the change and asks what the first thing that S.H.I.E.L.D. did to her was. We know it was to lock her up. He tells her that what happens inside can be just as profound and that the mist changes everyone differently.

Gordon is able to help explain her gift to her. He tells her that every object in this universe gives off a vibration and she has the ability to tap into those vibrations. He tells her that she could become magnificent. He asks about the gloves and whether they are really to protect her or others from her. He also tells her that every gift comes with a price, but she can learn how to manage it. He suggest that the retreat is not the best place for them to talk. He wants her to come with him so that she can become who she was always meant to be. He doesn’t force her but tells her he’s find her when she’s ready – and then he teleports out. Is it the gloves then that help Skye bend the water after Gordon leaves or is it Gordon’s explanation of her gift? Which sounds an awful lot like the force from Star Wars

May is able to call Skye to warn her when Calderon and his team are on their way. Bobbi insists on coming to try to protect Skye. She tells the other agents that Skye is an agent like they are and that they are only to use icers. Calderon, however, has a real gun. I loved Skye demonstrating the skills May taught her, taking out all the other agents. But when Calderon tries to shoot her, she fights back the only way she can with her powers. This is a pretty spectacular effect and she explodes a tree and pushes Bobbi and Calderon back. Unfortunately, Calderon is impaled with a piece of the tree – which will go to prove that she’s dangerous. If they say she didn’t do it on purpose, they’ll read that as she’s also out of control. Unfortunately, he seems merely injured so he can fight against Skye. For her own part, Skye is horrified and afraid and whispers for Gordon who immediately show up and whisks her away.

In the final scene – which I loved – we see Coulson incongruously sipping a heavily umbrellaed drink at a beach bar. Ironically, the bartender asks him if the ex got the house – and he kind of did! Hunter shows up, and he’s very clearly ready to go to work. He signs a napkin as his contract for the permanent position that Coulson offered him. I can’t wait to see what these two cook up to take back S.H.I.E.L.D.!

I liked the play on the title. We see doors close in the past – Bobbi and company choosing a new way for S.H.I.E.L.D. – and we see a door open for Skye with Gordon. What did you think of the episode? Do you like this internal split over ideology or does it feel too reminiscent of last year’s splintering of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra? Were you happy to see Lucy Lawless again? I was disappointed it was only in flashback, I’d been holding out some hope that they’d manage to resurrect her somehow… Do you think this is the beginning of Fitz-Simmons back together? Will Fitz really be able to forgive Mack? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.

23 comments:

  1. This series is PERFECT.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't really see a different ideology between the two factions, as Skye seems more like a special case, as the team cared for her before she got her powers. The issue I see here is really just over Coulson I think.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Posted this already today but was late to discussion so thought it best to post here.


    Shield vs Real Shield who is right - The clue is in the name.


    It is very simple really, the other shield is in no way legitimate and they know it, why do you think they called themselves the "Real Shield". The fact they did that pretty much proves that they are not the "Real Shield" or in fact any Shield at all. Looks to me like they just wet themselves after Hydra's attack, if Garrett was alive he would be laughing his socks off.

    Hoping to see Ward join up with Coulson, right now Bobbi and Mack are not much different to Garrett really (he at least was not in denial about his motives) and Ward is a class above as he at least has an excuse being recruited young when he was vulnerable. Mack and Bobbi have no such excuses to hide behind and Bobbi judging from her reactions knows it.

    If you want to know who the real "Shield" is just ask a former member of Hydra. Olmos character has broken the chain of command upon which all armed forces exist, Coulson was named Director by Nick Fury and thus the chain of command is unbroken in his case. Wonder when/if Nick Fury will be brought back in.

    Clearly this is all to do with building up to Civil War but I think they started this story line up too soon as it will be a while before the next Captain America film is ready.

    P.S Fitz is a Boss!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Truth be told it has nothing to do with Coulson as they could have taken over any time they wanted and got him out of the way, Gonzales (Olmos) wants the data on the cube and will do anything to get it. He knows Coulson won't join him, all he has done is added real to the start and changed the emblem. That does not make his "Real Shield" legitimate in any way.


    To be honest every time I hear someone on the show say "Real Shield" it just makes me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Historical_MaterialistApril 7, 2015 at 6:26 PM

    I'm replying but please accept that I'm not trying to provoke an argument. Rather, its because I don't agree with many things you have said, and the way many others commenting have over simplified these story elements.


    The current SHIELD vs SHIELD story is not a black and white, good vs bad story. Its an internal struggle within SHIELD. All of the players involved have had the best intentions at heart. Some have been more assholes than others about it but they are still dedicated to SHIELD and its principles.


    So to say for example that the other shield is in no way legitimate is simply not true. I've stated this before but I'll repeat it here. Fury may have asked Coulson to rebuild and lead SHIELD but it's not established that he had the authority to do so. SHIELD isn't Fury's personal property to give away. So the argument of who is following the correct chain of command can't fully apply because its not absolute at this point.


    Gonzales is a high ranking member of SHIELD and has a large group of members willing to line up behind him and the others and follow them. This cannot be overlooked.


    I could go on but I will end with a couple things.


    It's easy for us as the viewers to want to fall into simple categories of right and wrong. Who's good and who's bad. But this story is more complex than that. Simmons is wrong to hold prejudices against aliens and supernatural beings. She's absolutely right however when she says that Skye is unstable, powerful and dangerous, regardless of whether or not these realities hurt Skye's feelings. Gonzales and his crew are wrong to have kneejerk reactions to supernaturals to the point of rounding them up. But they're not wrong about wanting to rebuild SHIELD and wanting to keep the world safe.


    I don't see these plots as Coulson having to defeat an enemy to regain his kingdom that was wrongly taken from him. Boiling it down to simplicity like that is in my opinion; juvenile. There are broader questions at play here and nobody will come out without some dirt on them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have to disagree about Bobbi and Mack. I don't see them in any way like Garrett who was just out for himself and power. They are trying to do the right thing. I think Mack and Bobbi will side with Coulson when the time comes - and I think even Gonzales may be swayed to him. We might see Fury before the end of the season but not before Age of Ultron...
    I can almost forgive the break in the chain of command - Fury was dead for all they knew and had abandoned them all to die. They didn't just go down swinging but actually saved themselves - and that was the first order they ignored. Once you break one, the second is easier...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fair points all, I will keep my response as short as I can.


    I appreciate that the situation has been written to be ambiguous but in the end someone will have to be wrong and it is looking like "Real Shield" are going to end up being on the wrong end.


    You say Fury had no authority to pass the torch but we don't really know either way do we, there are many aspects of Fury's status which remain unclear and that does not give Gonzales the authority to start up a rival agency which is what he has done.


    As for Gonzales there are many ways he could have handled things, for someone who wanted transparency he is not doing a very good job of it with all the lies and betrayal we have seen.


    He could have sat down with Coulson and sorted it out and let each shield member decide who they wished to join, but he didn't and now we have civil war and a complete mess. So much so that Bobbi looks like she is having second thoughts in nearly every scene she is in.


    Their treatment of Skye is just one example of how they will handle things and it wont end well as too many decisions are being made out of fear.


    Coulson cant just let Gonzales actions stand, if he does he may as well give up.


    After all this is Marvels Agents of Shield


    Not


    Marvels Agents of Real Shield. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I completely agree and the fact that it's not black and white is what makes the show great.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree. I think the only real difference is in how they treat the inhumans and they are classifying both Coulson and Skye as inhumans.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Lisa


    Intentions are nice but in the end it is results that matter, going cloak and dagger behind your friends back is not and never will be the right thing. Gonzales says he wants transparency and that they are all on the same team but his actions say otherwise.


    Bobbi looks pensive and unsure in nearly every scene she is in and Mack just seems to be running on fear of anything or anyone different to himself. At this point I can see Bobbi making a U-turn but not Mack.


    Like you I can see the possibility of a reunification between the two sides but that just shows how unnecessary Gonzales actions were in the first place. The damage to morale and trust will be huge and take a long time to recover if they ever can at all.


    I agree that they thought Fury dead but we know and more importantly Coulson knows better because Fury himself passed the torch, not to Gonzales but to Coulson and that to me speaks volumes.


    Ultimately I feel that a huge mistake has been made by Gonzales and "Real Shield" and it will have dire consequences down the line. I think in the end "Real Shield" is going to end up being "Wrong Shield".

    ReplyDelete
  11. Historical_MaterialistApril 7, 2015 at 7:28 PM

    I think they'll all side with Coulson in the long run but not without everyone bruised in some way. I you're right that it may take Fury revealing himself to settle this mess.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Amazingly written review! As a Fitzsimmons devotee, I hope this is finally the beginning of Fitzsimmons getting back together! Fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I still think that Gonzales has another agenda and Bobbi and Mack will switch sides in the future mainly because Bobbi always seems having an struggle with her motives, Mack being the opposite of that. And I wonder if SHIELD by the end of the season is gonna embrace people with powers, Inhumans enhanced who knows even becoming the Avengers Academy of sorts...

    ReplyDelete
  14. It was a great episode.

    My biggest disappointment was that I was hoping those flashbacks would explain and sympathize the "Real" SHIELD fraction. And that didn't happen.

    But it was great having Lucy back even if briefly.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think the flashbacks helped explain why they did what they did. We can't sympathize with them though because they are going against Coulson! I'm still disappointed we got so little of Lucy though....

    ReplyDelete
  16. I really, really hope both will jump to Coulson, but I'm less convince about Mack. I think Coulson is already there with embracing people with power.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks! Hope you've seen this week's episode - and I agree about FitzSimmons - though I'm having a bit of a hard time forgiving her. I'd kind of like to see her have to chase him a bit....

    ReplyDelete
  18. While I still disagree with your assessment of Bobbi and Mack, I do have to concede that you are right about the "real" SHIELD being hypocrits about transparency. But then, it's not like they don't have some good points about Coulson - at least at the beginning of the season.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I watched the episode live last night and am watching it again right now! Love it!Anyways, I hope after this episode, any doubts/unforgiveness anyone has about her will be mostly, maybe even completely(?), gone. Jemma is proving she is loyal to Coulson and is willing to stay behind undercover and risk her life for the team again. And I agree, I would also like to see a bit of chase, but not too long, I don't think I would be able to handle a long, drawn out chase! Thanks for taking time to reply to me! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Secrets brought down SHIELD so I am running a SHIELD so secret that even other SHIELD agents don't know about it. Oh, okay....

    ReplyDelete
  21. I will just say - OMG THE SANDWICH!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AND THE NOTE!!!!! EEEEEKKKK!!!!!! I find the oddest things adorable! hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  23. I don't even think they did a good job in that. Because if it did at least you'd be able to see their POV. And I didn't... Their attitude and behaviour even in the flashback had that "holier than thou" feel.
    They are just a bunch of agents who decided on the fly that they were "better" because shit was going down. It explained nothing.

    ReplyDelete

NOTE: Name-calling, personal attacks, spamming, excessive self-promotion, condescending pomposity, general assiness, racism, sexism, any-other-ism, homophobia, acrophobia, and destructive (versus constructive) criticism will get you BANNED from the party.