Wow, poor Fitz.
I hope they come up with some alien technology to cure him. He can't go on like that and still be part of the team. He's been reduced to mascot because they don't have the heart to hospitalize him. Definitely well written, though, as ITL said.
Other than that, the episode was decent, but a mixed bag. Coulson is now a bureaucrat, isolated from the team, and no longer going on field missions. He even seems distant from Skye. Last year's finale ended on an inspirational note, and it would have been better if they reaffirmed that with this episode. As it was, the team no longer felt like a team, with Coulson distant, Fitz compromised, Simmons MIA, and Ward, of course, revealed as a mole. Adding a handful of questionable mercenaries only added to that feeling.
And why did Simmons leave? Even if she thought Fitz would be better off without her, which is a very strange thing to think, wouldn't she return once her absence exacerbated his condition? This hearkens back to the "Big Reveal" episodes of last year, when everybody had to act out of character to make things happen. And where did she go? Did Coulson put her on another team, or did she quit SHIELD altogether?
And Ward. I don't know what to make of this. When he was revealed as a mole, he lost any semblance of characterization and I can't figure what they're trying to do here. After multiple suicide attempts, he is being cooperative, but will only talk to Skye. Is this supposed to be the beginning of his redemption? Is it a plan to lull them into complacency so he can escape? Is he a lap dog looking for a new master now that Garrett is gone? Do the writers simply not know what to do with him? After the awkward plot twists of last season, I don't really trust this to be going anywhere.
They did a really good job with Absorbing Man, and it was cute how they worked his "wrecking ball" into the mix. Looks like we'll be seeing more of him, which is fine. He's got a very visual power, and I'd like to see them step up the imagination quotient on the show-- let's see some more really exotic stuff.
And, of course, the Agent Carter flashback was great. I am really looking forward to that show.

Other than that, the episode was decent, but a mixed bag. Coulson is now a bureaucrat, isolated from the team, and no longer going on field missions. He even seems distant from Skye. Last year's finale ended on an inspirational note, and it would have been better if they reaffirmed that with this episode. As it was, the team no longer felt like a team, with Coulson distant, Fitz compromised, Simmons MIA, and Ward, of course, revealed as a mole. Adding a handful of questionable mercenaries only added to that feeling.
And why did Simmons leave? Even if she thought Fitz would be better off without her, which is a very strange thing to think, wouldn't she return once her absence exacerbated his condition? This hearkens back to the "Big Reveal" episodes of last year, when everybody had to act out of character to make things happen. And where did she go? Did Coulson put her on another team, or did she quit SHIELD altogether?
And Ward. I don't know what to make of this. When he was revealed as a mole, he lost any semblance of characterization and I can't figure what they're trying to do here. After multiple suicide attempts, he is being cooperative, but will only talk to Skye. Is this supposed to be the beginning of his redemption? Is it a plan to lull them into complacency so he can escape? Is he a lap dog looking for a new master now that Garrett is gone? Do the writers simply not know what to do with him? After the awkward plot twists of last season, I don't really trust this to be going anywhere.
They did a really good job with Absorbing Man, and it was cute how they worked his "wrecking ball" into the mix. Looks like we'll be seeing more of him, which is fine. He's got a very visual power, and I'd like to see them step up the imagination quotient on the show-- let's see some more really exotic stuff.
And, of course, the Agent Carter flashback was great. I am really looking forward to that show.