There has been some discussions lately that the Marvel TV shows aren’t being acknowledged enough in the MCU, especially this TV show. Should Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. start to get more recognition in the films with some of characters or plots of the show having a bigger presence as we get into Phase 3 in the same way that the films are acknowledged in the show?
Andy Behbakht: I will be brutally honest here: as a viewer of the show and follower of the films, I feel offended that the TV division is getting somewhat left out of the Marvel movies right now. As I mentioned before, the show has proven that it doesn’t need to have characters from the films popping up every week in order to matter, it has grown so much on its own, and I’m happy to see that it has gained so much critical acclaim. But when you get to an Avengers film, based about a team that came together because Phil Coulson died, you do expect that plot to be brought up again and get a conclusion because you know that they can’t keep making Coulson hide from them for the rest of his life. Could there be bigger plans in motion as we get into Phase 3, where we might see some of these TV characters pop up or stories from the show affect the movies more than we got this season? I think that is definitely possible, but right now, it just feels that the film division is being elitist and just not giving the TV world any thought at all. I think films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War Part I and Part II will almost make it mandatory for any of these TV shows to play a role in because it’s going to affect the entire MCU. While I’m not expecting to get characters like FitzSimmons, Mack, or Hunter in the films any time soon, I do think people like Coulson, May, Skye/Daisy, Ward (who is the type of character that the MCU needs more of), and especially Mockingbird would make so much sense to feature in supporting roles in any of these films. Coulson came out of the films; he was and still is the glue of the MCU in many ways, and I feel to limit him to just this TV show is disrespectful.
Jasef Wisener: This, to me, is the biggest problem with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It’s hard to be a fan of something that the films set in the same universe refuse to acknowledge. The show has done absolutely everything that it can to connect with the films, and it has altered its structure in order to completely fit into the world that they’ve created. The films, however, don’t allow themselves to reference the events of any Marvel television series at all. This is one of the reasons that I found it so hard to connect with any of the Inhumans characters on the show this season, and I really think that Marvel should rectify this mistake. I’m not suggesting that every single event from the show be an Easter Egg in a movie, but there is absolutely no reason that Phil Coulson and his team have not even been referenced.
Blaise Hopkins: I really like that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is something that can exist and stand on its own, but I definitely would like some more acknowledgement in the movies. It’s tough to judge right now because S.H.I.E.L.D. has been rebuilding and doesn’t have as big of a presence in the movies. Hopefully, as things move closer to the two-part Avengers: Infinity War movies, we will see certain characters transition onto the big screen, even if it’s in minor roles. I think it really will play out like that because we are watching S.H.I.E.L.D. rebuild and these are the new core members.
Nick Hogan: Yes. They undoubtedly should. There shouldn’t be any altering of plots to make things fit, but they should exist organically. Coulson was a huge part of the films, so his resurrection should at least be alluded to by the larger cinematic universe. I’m not saying that Captain America should be on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (though, admittedly, that would be awesome) or that Skye and Coulson should just show up on the Helicarrier one day. All I’m saying is, right now, it feels like the TV show is totally pushed and shoved around by the movies, and I would like to see some respect shown both ways. Winks and nods to fans of the show don’t currently exist in the films, but if they did, they could improve ratings by the boatload.
Chris King: As I said above, it doesn’t matter to me if Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. gets more attention in the Marvel films, or if the events of the movies get acknowledged in the show. I just want Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to focus on being the best TV series it can be, and while it’s improved, it still has a lot it needs to fix in order to become a more enjoyable, consistent show.
The season finale teased the formation of the Secret Warriors, which will be run by Skye/Daisy and, in a way, be The Avengers for TV for Season 3. Is that something you are looking forward to seeing, and do you feel that, like Season 2 did, the show should expand more on borrowing certain comic book elements, like the Inhumans and Secret Warriors? In addition, what are any final thoughts you have about Season 2 and speculations/hopes for Season 3?
Andy Behbakht: Secret Warriors is the perfect thing to bring in from the comics to the show. While Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. may not have been the best idea to do as the first TV show from Marvel, I do think that by making it a bit more superhero-y is a strong move by the showrunners. While Season 2 had some bumps along the way, I think it was a fantastic season as a whole because it embraced being a comic book property like I always wanted it to be. I think, as we get closer to the Season 3 premiere, with Comic-Con (if Marvel TV will even be there since Marvel Studios won’t be) and D23 just around the corner, we will be getting more teases on what and who we will get to see in the new season, which will hopefully include some new Marvel characters and elements from the comics.
Jasef Wisener: I’m really looking forward to a more cohesive superhero team on television, and I think that the Secret Warriors can really help out the show. My only worry is that next season may feel too crowded, but I don’t want to judge that prematurely. My only real hope right now for Season 3 is that the Hydra arc is done by the winter break. I really am not looking forward to Ward attempting to be the new head, and I’m really worried that continuing that arc is going to feel overly long.
Blaise Hopkins: I was thrilled to see the setup and tease towards Secret Warriors. I think that this is how they are going to incorporate Lincoln and hopefully some other Inhumans going forward. I like that it will put Skye/Daisy into a position of power that continues to develop her character, and I feel like it will work really well with the show. I’ve started watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. without too much speculation. Although I have my ideas, I don’t dwell upon them. Just give me another season similar to this one and don’t try to overdo things.
Nick Hogan: Again, I’m unfamiliar with most comic books (they were a rainy day/sick day treat for me growing up), but I’m not often disappointed by their TV counterparts. From what I know about the Secret Warriors, it seems like a good way to keep Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a show that works (the spy show) while still incorporating the world of powered people. Since Skye has powers, their world has changed, but hopefully, it will stay true to the excellent spy show it has become. In terms of further hopes, I simply hope that they can gain some more respect in the MCU, and keep atop their spy game; there are few better spy shows on television.
Chris King: I’m not particularly excited or worried about it. I enjoy Skye as a character and really love Chloe Bennet’s performance, so I’m interested in anything she’ll do. However, as both I and Nick have already mentioned, I’d really like to see Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. return to the spy show it was during the first half of Season 2 when Season 3 begins in the fall. Those first 10 Season 2 episodes were, for me, the best this show has ever been, and if the writers could rediscover what made everything work so well during that stretch and continue that through Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s third season, I’d be very happy. Also, I need to know what happened to Simmons ASAP. She’s got a dinner date with Fitz she has to get to.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 3 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 9 p.m. on ABC.
[Photos via ABC]
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