maurissa tancheron – ConStar Media

10 16 2013

ConStar Watches S.H.I.E.L.D "Eye Spy"

ConStar Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Joss Whedon abc, agents of s.h.i.e.l.d, coulson, disney, fitz/simmons, jed whedon, joss whedon, marvel, marvel's agents of s.h.i.e.l.d, Marvel's Agents of Shield, maurissa tancheron, melinda may, phil coulson, s.h.i.e.l.d., SHIELD, skye, television, the cavalry, ward, whedeonverse 1

Tired ConStar = Late posts. Other Tuesday shows coming later in the week (maybe Friday).
The opening of the show, and some of the general feel of the show, reminded me of 80s and 90s action/adventure shows. Just the glimpse of memory I have from seeing them on TV when I was little–so maybe that’s not the case (maybe like how Adventures of Lois and Clark or Wonder Woman or something might have felt). But it feels different than a current TV show and I think that’s where it’s losing some of it’s ground with the fans and people who want to like it.
I also think that Skye is a big problem. I’ve seen a lot of Skye hate on twitter and while sometimes I don’t feel the same way, in this episode, I agreed. Her attitude with Coulson and her cockiness, while a character trait meant for a purpose, edge beyond the line of me understanding. It’s annoying. Plain and simple. She started to really aggravate me, especially in the beginning and the end of the episode–when she felt in her zone. Her attitude is better during the middle of episodes, when she’s out of her element and afraid to mouth off. But once she’s back in the safety of the Bus, she could get thrown out the window and I’d be pleased. Also, we know she’s doing some sort of double agent move. Don’t be cocky and arrogant when you’re trying to lay low and gather secrets from these guys. It definitely makes me like you even less. Skye also annoyed me when she claimed she had an “outside the box” theory then said “super powers.” Uhm, the whole organization DEALS in super powers, this is not an original idea. I couldn’t tell if I should be more upset with Skye or the writers on that one.
As I’ve said, and will keep saying, Melinda and Coulson are my favorite characters. I did enjoy Skye’s line about them being the Mom and Dad of the gang. The scenes with them have more depth and subtlety and intrigue than most of the rest of the episodes. If the show was just Coulson and May (arguing with each other or fighting other people), I’d be perfectly content.

Again, the plot of the episode felt kind of retro (but I couldn’t really define from show or an exact era) and that wasn’t bad. But the audience surrogate character problems and some SHIELD gibberish problems with Fitz/Simmons (they’re cute and have great outfits, but I still kind of glaze over when they’re a focus) distracted me from enjoying the main plot. ALSO: wouldn’t the handler notice that Ward and Akila were VASTLY different heights? That should have been the first clue.
I liked that we were reminded of Coulson’s “difference” and that people who know him can see it. I also like that Coulson’s motivation is to give people a second chance because he was given one.
I hope both in the course of the plot/story arcs speeding up (hopefully in the next couple of episodes), and the writers being able to write based on mass audience feedback, that the problems it’s facing will be adjusted soon. I think people are giving up on it, but I don’t want to because it has so much potential. It’s thankfully been picked up for the full season and I live with the hope that when it’s in season 3 and I am loving it, I can go back to season 1 and be like “oh look at the babies!” like I do with so many other shows. I’m not giving up!
Related links:
SHIELD Producer Explains Why Show Kinda Had a Slow Start – I would argue it’s still having a slow start, but I always remember that Joss did this with Dollhouse and then it massively picked up, so… again. I maintain hope.
‘Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Recap: Coulson Tracks A Former Agent Gone Rogue In ‘Eye Spy’

09 24 2013

What I Watched Today – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

ConStar Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., ConStar Watches, Joss Whedon, TV Shows agent coulson, agents of s.h.i.e.l.d, angel, avengers, coulson, coulson lives, j. august richards, jed whedon, joss whedon, maria hill, marvel, marvel's agents of s.h.i.e.l.d, maurissa tancheron, s.h.i.e.l.d., SHIELD, television, tv, whedon family, zach whedon 0

I just need to say this title is way too long. Either just SHIELD or maybe the abbreviation could be AOS (I guess MOAS could work? but I dunno…what the fandom will decide on as a group? I was just glad for Twitter’s auto hashtag feature so I didn’t have to type it every time as I live-tweeted)
This show did really well (for me) to start off with J. August Richards (I watched him on my absolute favorite show Angel). Also points for diversity (which even minority nerds who love this stuff were wondering if this show would have much of that, or be like most other shows on TV right now). Though I see it only says “Guest Starring” for J. August so we’ll see what that means for his character appearing later. (Gunn on Angel started only as a guest role… so I have hope.)
Melinda May, an Asian American! Two points for diversity. Let’s hope it increases as the show continues. ABC seems to be the best at the diversity right now, but mostly that’s because the other most diverse shows on the network are run by Shonda Rhimes.)
(Ron Glass?! Hi Shepherd Book! What other Whedon alum will we see? It could be a fun game!)
COBIE SMULDERS!! Now that HIMYM is ending, I wonder if she’ll be back for season 2. Or if she’s somehow doing double duty. It must be nice for her knowing that should the show survive (and really, are we doubting at this point? Between the promotion it got and the sheer number of Avengers/Marvel Comics fans) , she’ll have a guaranteed gig after her other show is over.
I think I got a little lost in the plot towards the middle, but nothing a rewatch and a careful eye on clues (a Whedon thing) can’t either cure or peak my intrigue for later episodes. But the episode really had a lot to do, more than most pilots I think, so it’s understandable that a few things end up lost in the shuffle. It had to do the normal character/tone/dynamic introduction, but it also had to connect to both the Movie and Comic Book canons (there were many references to both) and there are just so many characters already. The premiere had so much to do, but I believe it will just get better, because it’s the Whedons.
“With great power comes… a ton of weird crap that you’re not prepared to deal with!” Great Joss style line as well as Marvel canon humor.
Even when I watch Angel, the pilot (as with most shows) is rough to watch and I just rewatch the early seasons to remember the character beginnings so when the great character development arcs hits, I can appreciate it again. I’m sure in a few weeks, there will be a great arc in play.
Really looking forward to this to watching this grow and unfold!