TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Agents Of Shield Season 04 Episode 19: All The Madame’s Men

Now, THIS was more like it. “All The Madame’s Men” pushed the plot of this arc forward in a big way, and delivered not only Aida/Madame Hydra’s plan, but how Fitz fit into it, as well as giving us Quake’s rebirth, May’s conversion, and another world about to destroy Hydra.

While it was no doubt obvious that Aida wanted to use this world to be real (even plugging herself into it, which we saw for the first time here), it wasn’t clear how it was going to work long-term, now we know. She’s building herself a body so that she can transfer her consciousness into it and be human. For the record…that’s brilliant, also for the record…Eureka did that 6 years ago…I’m just saying.

But in a twist, one that was admittedly spoiled a bit in the previews, Aida got hurt in the Framework by a reborn Quake, which was a freaking cool scene to watch. And before you wonder how Aida can still be alive when we saw Mace die…Aida’s not human…yet. Moving on, I also loved how we got to see the propaganda machine working in Hydra, and how it was used to present “alternative facts”, there’s an interesting word… Bringing back Bakshi to deliver said news was another brilliant move. For this one didn’t feel gratuitous, but rather, a perfect fit. As was the team hijacking the news station and using May’s body cam footage to reveal the truth about the world they “live” in.

I also really liked the character moments here, like the scenes between Ward and Daisy, as he confided that he knew about the other world, and that he’s not a good person there. I was REALLY glad they haven’t killed him yet, because that would be sad in so many ways. If he “dies” by getting the plug pulled when this is all over, at least he can die knowing he did good…and gosh dang it…I don’t want to see Ward die again!

Fitz and his father had some VERY interesting scenes, and it’s going to be just as interesting to see how Fitz is after this is all over. As well as how his father (who we found out more about from Radcliffe) will affect potential future storylines.

We’re almost to the end of the season, and the pieces are falling into place, I look forward to seeing how everything goes, and this episode was a bit reason why.