The Positives and Negatives of ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ 7×05 “A Trout in the Milk”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s latest episode, “A Trout in the Milk,” feels like a show that is hitting its groove. Unfortunately for the team, their trip to the 70’s isn’t as far out as they hope it will be.

Much like life, the theme this season feels like “The Past is Doomed to repeat the Present.” The Chronicoms keep Freddie Malick alive in the 70s so he can advance “Project: Insight.” If that sounds familiar, it’s the HYDRA plan from Captain America: The Winter Soldier to take out all threats to them.

“A Trout in the Milk” feels like the best episode of a season that is fantastic right now. The only thing missing was a true sense of danger to all the time-traveling adventures and this episode gives us that. Not only were future Avengers put in danger but Mack’s own future, as well.

So Coulson, May, Sousa and Daisy all captured, the Chronicoms firmly in control and Mack having to reveal the Zephyr to destroy the Insight rocket. Things look pretty dire for our team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and that’s just the way we like it.

POSITIVES

THAT INTRO

“A Trout in the Milk” also feels like the most the show has connected to the MCU in a long time. Not only did we get references to “The Winter Soldier” but also to Bruce Banner and Nick Fury as well.
It doesn’t matter what era Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. shows up in, whatever the fashion – Daisy Johnson will always rock that look.
Something is up with Simmons. She forgets that Deke’s nickname for Fitz is “Bobo” (Something Grandmas never forget) and she confides to Enoch that she is continuing to forget things. Right now there’s two theories that might explain what is happening to Jemma.

She keeps rubbing the back of her neck. Perhaps Enoch put some sort of chip there to keep her thoughts from the Chronicoms. A very plausible theory but there’s also this…..
Simmons is a LMD too. Perhaps the real Jemma is somewhere safely with Fitz trying to come up with a plan to stop the Chronicoms. My head thinks Theory #1 is correct but my FitzSimmons heart hopes it’s #2.

Sousa saving Daisy from a creepier Gideon Malick. The ship vibes continue to grow slowly week by week. Especially after their heart to heart right before they are captured. I love Daisy showing Sousa how her phone works. A cute moment that highlights those two and the bond that is slowly building between them.
“Why do you call me “Yo-Yo?” “Because you always bounce back.” Awwww Mack showing off those boyfriend skills there.
Mack’s parents being at the Lighthouse in 1976. Does that mean we finally get to meet Mack’s parents? Yay!
Deke finally shooting Freddie Malick. A few years too late perhaps but was getting pretty tired of that dude.
Also Deke standing up to Sousa when he was being a dick to Simmons about all the time-travel. Good for Deke for standing up for himself this season!

NEGATIVES

No Fitz again. (But at least Deke talks about him to Simmons so that’s something at least.)
Malicks freaking showing up everywhere. Now besides Gideon, there’s also a Nathaniel Malick who is the scumbag who captures Daisy and Sousa. And threatens to take them to Daniel Whitehall. I swear if one more hair on Daisy Johnson’s perfect hair is harmed in any way….
This line gave me emotional pain. Poor May.

General Stoner. Nothing against the character but this could have been anyone and it’ll have the same effect on the story.

That’s about it. “A Trout in the Milk” was a pretty great episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The fight to stop the Chronicoms is reaching another level just as things are getting worse for the team. Have faith though in Coulson and the team. Things can only get better from here…right??