TV Show Review

TV Review: AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 3, Episode 13: Parting Shot [ABC]

Adrianne Palicki Nick Blood Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Parting Shot

ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Parting Shot TV Show Review. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., season 3, episode 13, ‘Parting Shot,’ was fairly literal, in executing a turn of events that many fans should’ve known was coming. At face value, however, the episode was the quality time that Hunter & Bobbi (Nick Blood, Adrianne Palicki) needed to settle a few accounts – with each other, and with Team Coulson (Clark Gregg). Crossing that point, however, required a bit of narrative license with the episode’s timeline.

As is often the case, the back-and-forth method did undercut some of the suspense, but made for some interesting plot juxtaposition. In Agents’ hands, this also meant some light-hearted contradiction cuts.

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Overall, the episode highlighted Bobbi’s usefulness, as the Team’s international pointman (at least in Russia), and her usual adaptability; but there may have been a few stretches, here & there.

You’d think someone would notice a woman suddenly appearing on a handpicked (I assume), all male security detail; but all she caught was flack over protocol fashion. Add the fact that Siberia just didn’t seem that cold, and you’d think some elements were being slapped together to get to some prearranged destination.

You’d be right.

That thing that’s been in the air – hovering around Hobbi’s ongoing commentary, on their occupational standing – took clearer form, this ep., with Hunter taking an old gripe – about their (lack of) quality time – in the direction of pretty much declaring a synchronised dive, off a sinking ship. Spinoff, ahoy.

First things first, however, this was a golden opportunity for the pair to get a handle on Coulson’s Malick (Powers Boothe) problem, old school style – no superpowers ‘n such. Only, not so likely, since Agents’ second season.

Malick’s role had been about keeping ahead of the Agents, since ‘Maveth,’ which had not left much room for outright villainy. This time around, Malick was able to go full Bond villain – taking an opportunity to fastrack his goals with some major coup cultivation.

Given the nature of his weapon of choice, this’d be the part where I mention Shadow Government… but I’m not going to.

Ultimately, the back-and-forth wasn’t so much about plot composition, as it was a set-up for the resolution. I’ve seen Jack Bauer given up enough times to recognize where their post-game interview was going, and the episode did one better. Not only was Hobbi given one more opportunity to flex its muscle, as both a fighting & romantic unit, Coulson was able to strong-arm something of a parting gift for the pair.

Without all of the subtle hints, dropped since the season resumed, this parting shot would’ve have seemed sort of sudden – even random – but the writing should’ve been on the wall. Heck, Hunter making right with May (Ming-Na Wen) should’ve said as much.

The actual farewell was just loverly. Really, I mean it (just in the slang sense). A thing of beauty, that touched the part of me left wondering: where was the HYDRA intel to call in a drone strike at their location.

It was sweet, though; but it’s now up to the Hobbi horse to carry us past this moment, without too much time taken before getting up to full gallup.

Parting shots all around.

Leave your thoughts on this review below, in the comments section. For more Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reviews, photos, videos, and information, visit our Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Page, subscribe to us by Email, follow us on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, or “like” us on Facebook.

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Sam Joseph

Sam is an Avid consumer/observer of Geek culture, and collector of Fanboy media from earliest memory. Armchair sociologist and futurist. Honest critic with satirical if not absurdist­­ wit with some experience in comics/ animation production.
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