Review: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D 1x06 "FZZT"

Original air date: Nov. 5, 2013

Now this is the kind of episode that will endear a show to me (Yes, I realize a main character almost died but … actually I have no good answer for that).  If you’re a big FitzSimmons fan (like myself) this is the episode for you.  By far I think this was my favorite episode so far and I’m so glad that we’re starting to see the relationships between these characters grow.

After the battle of New York, alien tech was scattered everywhere.  A few volunteer firefighters picked up a helmet, a souvenir to take home.  In true War of the Worlds fashion it was infected with an alien virus.  A virus that transfers from person to person by electroshock.  Eventually the pressure builds inside them, a lightning pulse and death with the peculiar side effect of flotation (this was mostly how I understood it.  Basically alien science virus = bad).  Coulson and the team are forced to watch three men die before they realize they are dealing with a virus and not a killer as they originally suspected.  Simmons is infected during the initial inspection of the first body and now has only two hours to develop an antiserum.

This episode just pulled at my heart strings.  After Simmons is quarantined and her and Fitz just sit back to back against the glass door.  It’s like they don’t even know how to function without the other being right next to them.  Don’t even get me started on Fitz’s little nervous bounce and constant pacing in front of the door.  He wanted nothing more than to be in that room working next to her and he hated that he couldn't be.  He even starts to ask if he should be in there.  They've been together for so long that they have become extensions of each other.  When she told him that she never forced him to follow her, his face said it all.  Of course he would always follow her because he can’t imagine ever being without her. 

They know what the other needs before it’s even said.  Which of course means they bicker quite a bit and that just endears them to me even more.  Because in the heat of the moment Fitz didn't even hesitate to break quarantine.  They were going to do what they always did and fix it together.  There is also no doubt in my mind that Fitz would have jumped out of that airplane. 

Then there’s Ward.  The man who learned to fight back in order to protect his little brother.  Now finds himself without a villain to punch.  He’s not the little poop with knives in it anymore.  He’s opened himself up to his team and he’d stop at nothing to protect them.  Yet in this episode he had to do the hardest thing he’s ever had to do.  Stand back and watch from a video screen because there was literally nothing he could do.  He needed to jump out of that plane for Jemma. 

Coulson continues to struggle with being back.  He feels different about everything, physically and emotionally.  We saw a few weeks back that his muscle memory is a little off and in episode one we learned there was a secret.  May might think he’s getting over a traumatic experience, but I think we all know better.  There’s a big secret about Tahiti that’s a brewing.  Also, what is it with those two?  There’s something more there that we have yet to uncover. 

Then there’s Skye.  I mentioned during the last episode that I loved that Simmons was the only one who didn't immediately condemn Skye.  There’s a strong friendship growing there and I would love to see it develop more.  Their hug at the end was everything.

Favorite bits of the episode?

• All of the Ward impressions.  Especially Ward’s impression of Simmons’ impression of him. It was perfect, beautiful and everything I ever wanted out of Ward.
• FitzSimmons, just every single scene with them.  They tried to smile for each other, to reassure each other, but you could see how scared they really were when they turned away.
• The most threatening offering of cookies I have ever heard in my entire life.  May, this is why you’re my favorite.
• The amount of times people called Simmons Jemma.  Don’t even get me started on Fitz screaming and crying her name.
• I will admit I was screaming “KISS HIM!” while Fitz was fidgeting with a pillow telling Simmons that he would have jumped.  She didn't care because he was already her hero when he broke quarantine and stayed by her side.

Next week looks like we get a lot of Skye and Simmons bonding time and I’m excited.  It looks like a week my bromance radar will be going crazy.  Skye and Simmons and Ward and Fitz all out on their adventures together.

In conclusion: Just say no to alien tech.  You don't know where that stuff has been.