Agents of SHIELD. Season 1 Discussion Thread

[theenglish]

Does Clark Gregg really consider himself a comic fan?

He and the rest of the crew knew from the start that the show would be criticized. Wheadon talked about this is interviews over the summer, telling fans not to expect a lot of super-heroics and fantastic elements in the show.

 

[Christopher]

I think it's better to read the comment as good-natured ribbing than anything else, but who knows. I don't really think Clark Gregg has a mean bone in his body.

That being said, it would be kind of cool if they took spec scripts from comic book writers who are up for the challenge of a different medium.

The show already has comic book writer Jeph Loeb as an executive producer. A lot of comics writers have become TV writers these days, and vice versa. They're pretty similar media, both based on visuals and dialogue -- and indeed modern comics have become more like film/TV and less like prose as devices like narration and thought balloons have fallen out of favor.

 

[dansigal]

Clark Gregg calls fans who gave up on the show "losers".

So I know a lot of people who have given up on the show, but I don't know a single person who's given up on it because there haven't been enough superheroes. I think the show was always pretty honest about what it was going to be.

I'm worried that this means that the creators are going to focus on adding more superhero elements, when that's not really the problem. I like the show a lot, but there are certainly issues with plot and character that need to be worked on well before super hero issues.

 

[DEWLine]

Agreed. The game plan was going to be what it's turned out to be from the beginning. We weren't lied to about that.

Patience is still a useful thing.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Clark Gregg calls fans who gave up on the show "losers".

So I know a lot of people who have given up on the show, but I don't know a single person who's given up on it because there haven't been enough superheroes. I think the show was always pretty honest about what it was going to be.

I'm worried that this means that the creators are going to focus on adding more superhero elements, when that's not really the problem. I like the show a lot, but there are certainly issues with plot and character that need to be worked on well before super hero issues.

At the same time, I thought The Well was a great character episode, but those who criticized it did so for not having enough to do with Thor. While I agree that the show needs more character moments (I think the show is at its best then), I'm not sure I agree that all those criticizing are fine for downplayed superhero stuff.

 

[Mister Fandango]

Agreed. The game plan was going to be what it's turned out to be from the beginning. We weren't lied to about that.

Patience is still a useful thing.

You shouldn't have to endure being bored to death in order to satisfy some writers' inability to make mundane or pedestrian "build-up" stories interesting.

They have no one to blame but themselves. Trying to make it the audience's fault is pathetic.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ I haven't been a bit bored. It's been a breath of fresh air to me.

I think it's better to read the comment as good-natured ribbing than anything else, but who knows. I don't really think Clark Gregg has a mean bone in his body.

I think he's a bit droll. (And what is it with this new trend of websites using a pale gray font against a white background, making it impossible to read without highlighting it?)

and indeed modern comics have become more like film/TV and less like prose as devices like narration and thought balloons have fallen out of favor.

Another reason that modern comics have fallen out of favor with me-- why use the medium if you're not going to use its full potential?

 

[Luminus]

You shouldn't have to endure being bored to death in order to satisfy some writers' inability to make mundane or pedestrian "build-up" stories interesting.

They have no one to blame but themselves. Trying to make it the audience's fault is pathetic.

Agreed. The only reason I'm still watching this show is because of the potential future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The introduction of Deathlok — and to a lesser extent, Graviton — are the only payoffs, so far. Had this been any other show, I would've stopped with the first episode.

 

[DEWLine]

And Lorelei sets the stage for Amora down the road.

Also, I haven't been bored.

 

[Mister Fandango]

And Lorelei sets the stage for Amora down the road.

Also, I haven't been bored.

Then why say you have to be patient?

 

[Alidar Jarok]

You shouldn't have to endure being bored to death in order to satisfy some writers' inability to make mundane or pedestrian "build-up" stories interesting.

They have no one to blame but themselves. Trying to make it the audience's fault is pathetic.

Agreed. The only reason I'm still watching this show is because of the potential future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The introduction of Deathlok — and to a lesser extent, Graviton — are the only payoffs, so far. Had this been any other show, I would've stopped with the first episode.

I'm quoting this post not really to respond to it but as a reply to dansigal who said it was the lack of character stuff and not the lack of Marvel stuff that's the problem and that the show's critics don't want more Marvel stuff. Would you say that's accurate?

 

[RJDiogenes]

I couldn't care less whether they use superhero names or name characters after Marvel characters or not. It's like Sleepy Hollow. They recycle a few names from Washington Irving's story, but it has no connection otherwise. Similarly, SHIELD is a new show that recycles some Marvel Universe names, but I feel no connection otherwise.

 

[Guy Gardener]

Oh dear.

Siff and Ward are going to get it on, and May is going to get jealous and then hate herself for being jealous and having feelings when there is no room in her life for feelings any more... Which propels Ward and May together again after, or...

Siff hooks up with Fitz, so Simmon's gets drunk and prank booty calls Fandral the Dashing, or...

Siff hooks up with Coulsen and she never leaves, or...

Siff hooks up with Skye and the internet crashes.

 

[Mr Light]

<<Siff hooks up with Skye and the internet crashes. >>

This thread is useless without pictures.

 

[Captain Craig]

Being patient does not equal bored for the other episodes.
Some of you are implying that but it's not a corollary for others of us.

 

[DEWLine]

So...wondering about consequences of Winter Soldier for this show...

 

[sojourner]

Lots of leftover props.

 

[Christopher]

Lots of leftover props.

Maybe even sets?

 

[DEWLine]

One would hope so, re: the latter.

Considering some of the footage in the trailer, though, I'm not sure they'll be allowed access to any Helicarrier set(s).

 

[sojourner]

Considering we haven't seen any use of the helicarrier sets from the previous Avengers movie on the show, I would guess you're right.