Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. “The Inside Man” was written by Craig Titley and was directed by John Terlesky. This was another action packed episode with lots of twists and turns. The title plays off of several elements, referring to the spy within the conference and to the being now inhabiting Ward (Brett Dalton). By necessity, this is going to be a short review – but not because this wasn’t a terrific episode.
Malick (Powers Boothe) continues to care for “Ward.” He brings him Lucio (Gabriel Salvador), and “Ward” insists on seeing his eyes. Naturally, Lucio zaps everyone else in the room, but it has no effect on “Ward” who sort of steps out of himself. There are some great special effects in the episode, including the dust storm “Ward” at the end. The non-healing body of “Ward” isn’t their best work, so I was happy to see “Ward” emerge looking more fit from the goo at the end. Although, I also have to say that that handprint on his chest was a chilling reminder! It was also interesting that “Ward” didn’t want to give up Ward, declaring that he was a perfect host as he had been strong and resilient when alive.
Meanwhile, Coulson (Clark Gregg) meets with Talbot (Adrian Pasdar) who is supposed to be working for him now but who hasn’t even been answering Coulson’s calls! Lincoln (Luke Mitchell) and May (Ming-Na Wen) are shadowing Coulson as a training mission for Lincoln. Which turns out to be a really good thing when Creel (Brian Patrick Wade) shows up! There is a terrific fight scene between the three. I loved Creel turning into rubber to defeat Lincoln’s electricity and May touching him with iron to turn him back to a conductable material! It turns out that Creel is actually working for Talbot!
Coulson needs Talbot to go to an International Diplomatic Conference – a Symposium on the Alien Contagion. Hunter (Nick Blood) is utterly incensed that they are even considering working with Creel, who killed his friends. Daisy (Chloe Bennet) is happy to go without Talbot or Creel, but Coulson says it would destroy the possibility of an International coalition if the head of ACTU didn’t show up. I loved that Hunter referred to Daisy/Lincoln as Shake and Bake! He really has taken over as the master of the one liner!
There is an interesting thread that comes up in the episode. Daisy maintains that terragenesis isn’t a disease, it’s an awakening. She is appalled when they find out that Creel’s blood is actually a vaccine that can stop terragenesis. There is also a nice parallel between Daisy and Lincoln physically sparing – and that’s a terrific scene! – and them sparring verbally.
Lincoln maintains that Daisy can’t save everyone, and that not everyone should change. The vaccine would give people the choice of whether they want to change or not. He stresses that there needs to be a balance, and it’s not a bad thing to give people the choice. He uses the example of Lash. Daisy is adamant that it is a birthright to change.
Lincoln worries about his own ability to control his powers away from the quiet of Afterlife, and it seems like he would like to give up his own powers. Daisy tells him that sometimes it’s good to lose control, and the two make love.
At the symposium, Coulson outlines that there are two rules – no aliens and no weapons. Thus Daisy can’t come but Creel’s DNA isn’t alien – the thing that leads Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) to test it.
Coulson and Talbot are hilarious at the symposium. Talbot complains about having to wear a “dress” as a sign of respect. Talbot finds a reason for every delegate to be the inside man reporting to Malick. Coulson goes in as Dr Lonwall. He shakes everyone’s hand with the wrong hand – his “super” hand – because he’s cleverly got his right hand in a sling. That way they can use Fitz’s (Iain De Caestecker) new toy that makes “gloves” of people’s handprints to get into their room – which have palm print key pads. Hunter remarks that they “fit like a glove” anyway!
Coulson is the voice of reason at the meeting. He insists that the “aliens” prefer to be called inhumans because they are more human than anything. They simply want to find a place in the world and this is an opportunity for compassion. He stresses that this is not a virus or disease, it’s a genetic anomaly. Russia’s Petrov (Ravil Isyanov) wants to offer the Inhumans sanctuary in Russia. Of course, that also makes them an easy target if they’re all in one place.
Meanwhile, Hunter sees Creel leave his place and Hunter abandons his own to follow him. He finds Creel checking out a figure in a gel matrix cube. It’s Talbot’s son! While Hunter discovers this, Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) must search King’s (Melissa Bickerton) room, but Hunter still has the palm print. There’s a terrific shot/stunt of her moving across the outside of the building to enter the room! Bobbi discovers that King has an inhuman locked up being experimented on at a facility. The inhuman is later rescued we are told.
Back at the meeting, Talbot announces there is a traitor in their midst and reveals who Coulson is – he’s a liar and a fraud! But then Malick walks in and says that Coulson is the head of HYDRA!! Malick takes Coulson and Talbot prisoner.
Hunter, May, and Bobbi regroup. They have no weapons… except that Hunter does! Saying Bon Apetito, he reveals weapons for all three of them! Bobbi says, “I love you” and May says “I don’t hate you quite as much!” Loved it! The three head off to save the day.
Malick has Coulson and Talbot handcuffed together and put in a cell. He gives instructions to kill them. Talbot asks that they shoot Coulson first so that he has a moment of peace before he dies! Creel saves them, but HYDRA still has Talbot’s son.
There’s a good fight still going on, however. I loved Bobbi declaring she’s bored and then sliding down the boardroom table! Creel saves Hunter’s life. May saves George – Talbot’s son. Coulson send Hunter and Bobbi to tail Malick and they end up in the cargo hold of his jet, listening to him pour champagne and make plans with Petrov for the Russian sanctuary. Russia is clearly as good a place as any for Malick and “Ward” to build their army. It seems pretty likely that something is going to happen to Bobbi and Hunter which is going to make them go on the run from S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA too – the premise of their spinoff…
Coulson and Talbot end the episode on good terms. Coulson tells May that they rescued the inhuman from King. But Coulson is troubled that even though Malick is supposed to be the last head of HYDRA, he feels Malick is reporting to someone else. That’s our Coulson. Trust your gut Phil!
Another great episode. Will the alliance between Coulson and Talbot last? Will Daisy and Lincoln’s relationship withstand their fundamental difference of opinion about terragenesis? How often will “Ward” have to feed? We know he can’t eat inhumans, but he seems to find humans very tasty! What did you think of the episode? 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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
