Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - S2E16 - Afterlife
Previously on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ‘One Door Closes’
Skye, Gordon, Lincoln, Cal, and Jiaying
Skye awakens to find herself on what looks to be a masseuse’s table with shimmering acupuncture needles sticking out of her shoulders, arms, stomach, and legs. Gordon enters her field of vision and tells her everything is okay. Skye has been asleep for two days. A handsome, blonde man (Lincoln) walks in and explains that the needles are a part of her healing. Gordon has to leave, but tells Skye she is in good hands with Lincoln, whose job it is to help with her transition. Skye immediately wants to know how long this process is going to take because she needs to get back to her friends. She is worried they are in danger. Lincoln informs her that she is the one in danger.
After Skye gets dressed she asks Lincoln how she can get in touch with her friends. He says Gordon is the only one who has contact with the outside world. He explains no one really knows where they are, but it’s called Afterlife.
Lincoln takes Skye on a tour of Afterlife. Everyone they pass stares at her and Lincoln explains she is unique in that she did not have to wait to be chosen to transform. Her transformation happened the same way as it did many years ago with a Diviner at a Kree temple. The other descendants carry the genetic marker, but are waiting around at Afterlife in hopes of being chosen to be transformed next. One person is chosen every few years. Skye kind of jumped ahead of the line. Skye wants to know if Gordon brought Cal and Raina to Afterlife. Gordon takes everyone everywhere, he says, and assures Skye she is safe and that no one there will harm her. Hmmm… Lincoln knows how to dodge a question or two.
In Skye’s new room, he grabs the gloves Simmons had made for Skye and explains the inhibitors in the gloves made her sleep for so long. Skye defends Simmons saying she was trying to help. Lincoln takes the gloves with him to examine later. He tells her maybe they will find out what her gift is tomorrow. She wants to get rid of her powers - that’s why she called Gordon. Lincoln says her transition is permanent.
Lincoln takes Skye to a private spot to demonstrate his powers. He explains that every cell in his body produces a different electrical charge. Now, he has learned to control it. He takes Skye by the hand and makes her levitate using electricity from his body. She is easily impressed. He shows her having powers isn’t terrible.
Later, Lincoln and Skye run into Gordon. Skye wants to get a message to her friends. Gordon explains he would have to ask permission, but it would be highly unlikely. When asked about Cal and Raina, Gordon explains he cannot give her that information, and he walks off. Skye asks Lincoln who does Gordon have to ask permission. He says the elders.
Gordon appears in Cal’s room. Cal is a raving lunatic and screaming about how he is mistreated. Gordon says he’s lucky to be alive. Cal realizes Gordon found his daughter. Cal wants to see Skye, but Gordon won’t allow it due to his lack of control.
Back at Skye’s room, Lincoln let it slip that Skye isn’t the only one there who has transformed recently. Skye figures out Raina is at Afterlife too. Lincoln lied. He begins to back pedal and says Raina’s having a hard time. Skye is furious and the room begins to quake. She leaves Lincoln and heads to the building next to hers to find Raina there. Lincoln catches up in time to see Skye and Raina verbally hashing it out. Skye is upset Raina still claims they are the same. Skye focuses her emotions towards Raina. Raina begins to vibrate. Raina is so miserable because of her transformation that she wants Skye to kill her. The two are interrupted by Skye’s mother. Skye has no idea who this woman is. She introduces herself as Jiaying. She defends Raina. Skye immediately wants to leave. Jiaying tells Skye if she stays for a few days, she will be her guide.
Gordon returns to Cal’s room with Jiaying. She confirms they have their daughter. She hugs Cal and thanks him. Cal asks to see Skye. Jiaying tells him no.
Fitz and Simmons
Fitz and Simmons are in the lab observing and discussing Fury’s toolbox. They are both disgusted with Gonzales and Bobbi. Gonzales explains the toolbox is dangerous and he needs help to find out what’s in it. Gonzales asks for Fitz’s help. He refuses. Bobbi says after debriefing they are free to go. Fitz leaves to pack his bags.
Later, Gonzales tries to convince May she should be loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. She ignores his tactics to sway her and argues that S.H.I.E.L.D. and Coulson are the same. Gonzales feels Coulson needs to be placed in the index, but May says Gonzales wants to put Coulson down. He reminds her she has been known to put ones with powers down, and that is how she got her nickname, The Cavalry.
Bobbi is sitting in the bus watching Gonzales and May via tablet. Bobbi tells Mack that May thinks they’re traitors. Bobbi thinks Coulson is truly good. Mack agrees, but he feels Coulson was compromised.
Bobbi tries to convince Simmons to help find out what is in the toolbox. She thinks they need Fitz for that. Simmons says the solution is in the lab not in tech. Bobbi goes to Gonzales and informs him Simmons may be on board, and he is using the wrong approach with May. He says Coulson triggered an alarm and they should have him soon. Bobbi suspects that wasn’t an accident.
Fitz is packing when Mack joins him. Fitz says he can’t be convinced to help open the box. Mack informs Fitz that Simmons says she can open it using genetic markers. Fitz heads to the lab and confronts Simmons about trying to open the box. She tries to reason with Fitz stating the importance of opening the box. He is disappointed that she would help Gonzales.
As a last plea, Gonzales offers May a seat on the S.H.I.E.L.D. board. Then, as a trade off, Coulson will have an advocate on the board.
Simmons places Fitz’s backpack on his back as he leaves S.H.I.E.L.D. He gets into a cab and opens his backpack to find Fury’s toolbox and one of his favorite sandwiches. He says, “Good job, Jemma.”
Coulson and Hunter
Coulson and Hunter get a great deal on a jeep. It’s a steal. Pun intended. Coulson and Hunter arrive at the safe house, Skye’s last known whereabouts. To Coulson’s dismay, she is not there. Outside, they discover the damage and a video camera. Taking the video in to watch, they see Skye caused the damage and was taken by the man with no eyes.
Coulson is astonished that he allowed Skye and S.H.I.E.L.D. get away from him in one day. Hunter begins to complain about Bobbi and Mack, but Coulson takes up for them. Coulson believes Gonzales might have a point. After all, Coulson is not supposed to be here. Coulson says they are running out of good options. Hunter responds they might have to use a bad one.
Hunter wakes up to a loud noise. S.H.I.E.L.D. has arrived. Coulson has a plan to find Skye and get back S.H.I.E.L.D., but they won’t be able to use the Jeep. Coulson wants to steal one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. jets. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents use a battering ram to knock the door down. Coulson believes they have an hour until the agents get through the door. Time is up and the door crashes open as the agents enter the room. The agents see Coulson and Hunter playing cards. One agent tries to swing at Coulson only to find out that he is a hologram. The real Coulson and Hunter ice the agents and steal two uniforms.
Dressed in the agent tactical uniforms, Coulson and Hunter head toward the jet and discover that they are surrounded. The agents escort them into the jet. As the door is closing, Deathlok stops it. Thanks to his new upgrade, Deathlok takes down three agents and the other jet. He was Coulson’s backup plan. Introductions are made and Deathlok is in the house.
Things I liked about this episode:
- I thought the car salesman trying to sell Coulson a vehicle was hilarious. The salesman assumed he knew what kind of man Coulson was. He had no idea. It was all a facade.
- I loved that despite their differences, Fitz and Simmons together outsmarted S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Coulson’s determination and Hunter’s sarcasm make for a great dynamic duo.
- Deathlok is back!!!
Unanswered questions:
- Did Skye get a sense that she has met Jiaying before?
- What are Raina’s powers?
What questions are lingering on your mind? Leave your questions in the comment section below.
Until next week…
