TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Agents Of Shield Season 03 Episode 19: Failed Experiments

There was a true feeling of hopelessness on Agents of Shield. As everyone was still dealing with the Daisy fallout, all the while wondering how in the heck they were going to deal with Hive. This led to some very powerful moments, and some near-fatal outcomes.

What really sold this was everyone’s unique view on things. Mack wanting to believe Daisy was still out there needing help. Coulson wanting to make a move while they still had the element of surprise. Lincoln wanting to do something, anything, to help. And May being May in the best way possible.

That’s to say nothing of Hive and Daisy, who each gave very powerful performances here. As we saw once again that the “connection” between Hive and his Inhumans was not true brainwashing, but rather an enforcement of happiness and belonging. Which can drive people to do extreme things.

Though shown in the previews, the Kree arrival was fun. Especially since it was unclear why there were here. For Hive to literally summon them, as we found out he needed their blood for his experiments, and then go toe-to-toe with them along with Daisy, was very cool. And brutal.

Daisy’s fights with the Kree and later Mack was easily some of the most Mortal Kombat like battles we’ve ever seen on Shield. You could almost hear the “Finish Him!” near the end there.

On the homefront, Lincoln subjecting himself to that antibody was actually really powerful. But the real twist was when he found out it didn’t work. Showing that even when you take a risk for someone you care about, it doesn’t always pan out.

Now, one thing I didn’t like was that despite Hive talking about the Kree Reapers and how he fears them…they really didn’t pose that much of a threat to him. As May said, he was basically milking a thousand year old grudge. He could’ve eliminated both with his bugs at long range no sweat. So where was the threat?

The ending really added to the hopeless feeling I mentioned earlier. Mack is hurt, Lincoln’s spirit is crushed, Hive is alive, he has Kree blood via Daisy (another aspect I find curious as he had Ward’s memories yet didn’t know this) and now his plans can basically go unopposed. How are they going to stop this? Guess we’ll have to wait and find out.