Before Marvel Studios ventured into serial storytelling through streaming series on Disney+, there was Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premiering in 2013, Marvel developed the ABC show as the first series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In its early seasons, the series had direct ties to the movies, like Avengers: Age of Ultron. Marvel even had “It’s All Connected” marketing to sell the show as a complement to the movies. But that didn’t last. Eventually, Marvel stopped advertising the seven-season show as part of the MCU, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. stopped having direct tie-ins to the movies.
The series paved the way for other live-action Marvel shows produced by the previous non-Marvel Studios-affiliated Marvel Television division. It showed Marvel Studios that MCU-set shows could work and be well-received. But, despite its role as the first MCU show, Marvel Studios has yet to acknowledge Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as canon to the Sacred Timeline. No one has confirmed or denied it as part of the main canon. Meanwhile, Marvel has deemed Daredevil, Jessica Jones and the other Defenders-verse shows that premiered and originally streamed on Netflix as proper MCU canon.
MORE: Daisy & Sousa Remain One of the Most Rewarding Parts of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Studio politics and canon status aside, the 136-episode show is still a worthwhile watch. The series had some flaws, but that was inevitable for a TV show that ran for seven years. But it still has plenty of entertainment value — in general and as a Marvel project.
Whether you’re an avid fan of the landmark Marvel series or an MCU fan who has yet to watch the show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. deserves respect and recognition for what it was and all it accomplished.
The Hydra Infiltration
Step aside, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. No disrespect to one of the best MCU films, but it has nothing on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. At least when it concerns the best experience for the Hydra reveal. The show focuses on the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization from the perspective of Phil Coulson‘s team, so the Hydra plot twist offers a different, more intense impact. Captain America: The Winter Soldier shows how Steve Rogers handles the Hydra reveal, which comes with the discovery of Bucky Barnes as the Winter Soldier. But, in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you see the heartbreak, turmoil, trauma and betrayal of agents finding out colleagues they’ve known and trusted are Hydra. The show has a riveting perspective that isn’t seen elsewhere.
The Power and Prowess of Daisy Johnson/Quake
One of the best parts of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the superhero it brought to life: Daisy Johnson/Quake. It’s tough to do her justice without giving too much away. But her journey throughout the seven seasons is astounding. She has a fantastic character arc and becomes such a force. Fans are constantly hoping for Quake’s return, and it’s easy to understand why when you learn about her powers. What she showed in the TV series is remarkable, but there’s so much untapped potential Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. failed to explore.
Even looking past her role as a superhero, Daisy is one of the most captivating parts of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Her journey in the show is, arguably, the most rewarding of all the characters because of her growth.
MORE: Need a refresher of the best episodes? Here are 10 must-watch episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
The Found Family Dynamic of Phil Coulson’s S.H.I.E.L.D. Team
If you love the found family trope, then Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is undoubtedly for you. From the initial team in season 1 to the final group in season 7, the familial energy of Coulson’s team is part of what makes the Marvel show special. It’s the heart of the series. The dynamic evolves as the team changes over the years, but that’s part of what makes the trope captivating. It also reflects reality.
The team inevitably becomes close. They work together in the field, in the lab and on the base. They chat about life and hang out during their downtime. They learn and grow together. They share laughter and tears. They argue and fight. They’re there for one another during the big moments, good or bad. No matter how the team changes, the found family dynamic never feels forced. They adapt and find a place for one another in work and in life.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Features a Diverse Cast
The cast’s diversity has always been a standout feature for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. When watching the show for the first time, I still remember being surprised to see two Asian women, Chloe Bennet and Ming-Na Wen, as part of the main cast. It was a pleasant surprise but still a shock nonetheless. American media — let alone a superhero comic book-inspired universe — rarely places Asians in leading roles. Neither Bennet’s role as Daisy nor Wen’s role as Melinda May required an Asian actor for the character either. Their characters weren’t Asian for the sake of diversity, nor were their characters defined by their ethnicity. They just happened to be Asian. So the Marvel television series quickly left a good impression on me as a fellow Asian woman.
As the show progresses, the cast gets more diverse. That’s not to say the showrunners go about diversity flawlessly. But you can tell they try to make the show more reflective of reality.
MORE: Here are the various on-screen versions of Phil Coulson in the Marvel Universe!
How S.H.I.E.L.D. is Rebuilt
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1 premiered in September 2013 and aired its finale in May 2014. Captain America: The Winter Soldier premiered in March 2014. The show aligned with the movie so that the Hydra reveals would line up with each other. It was impressive how it worked out then. It’s even more impressive now, considering how COVID, strikes, production delays and other setbacks have affected movies and shows in recent years. But S.H.I.E.L.D. went on to fall. From the perspective of just the MCU films, the organization ceased to exist after the Hydra reveal. But that’s not the case.
Running for 136 total episodes across seven seasons, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continued well after S.H.I.E.L.D. fell at the end of season 1. That’s six seasons of rebuilding and restructuring the organization into the protective law enforcement and intelligence agency it was meant to be. But it comes with so many problems. Coulson can’t just rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D. after its fall due to the Hydra infiltration. S.H.I.E.L.D. has to overcome negative public sentiment and distrust. He has to rebuild the organization from scratch without government help. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s revival isn’t necessarily the most interesting plot point for any season, but it’s compelling to follow how the agency is reestablished and continues to evolve from the first rebuilding days to the series finale.
Romance in the MCU
MCU movies do many things well. Romance, however, has very rarely been one of those things. Tony Stark and Pepper Potts are developed during the Iron Man trilogy and other movies, and Peter Parker and MJ Watson get a proper love story during the first three MCU Spider-Man films. Beyond that, other romantic relationships that aren’t already established aren’t done well. Even the fan-favorite ship of Wanda Maximoff and Vision aren’t as developed going into WandaVision despite being well-liked.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. wasn’t perfect with its romantic plots, but the series has plenty of ships to satisfy your desire for Marvel romances. From the slow burn of FitzSimmons to the fast burn of Daisy and Sousa, the show features a variety of romantic angles and couples. Some storylines will break your heart, and some storylines will tug at your heartstrings. Every season has compelling romantic narratives that add to and help progress the overall story. The show also avoids using romance for the sake of romance — even when it would’ve been easy to because of the opportunities available. But even the potential of the show’s various non-canon ships can be intriguing.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Expands the Marvel Universe
When Loki episode 1×04: “The Nexus Event” was released in 2021, it marked Lady Sif’s return. The Asgardian warrior debuted in the MCU in Thor (2011) but hadn’t been in another Marvel Studios project until Loki. But those who have seen Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. didn’t wait a decade to see the character again. She appeared in two episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., working with Coulson (or rather, Son of Coul) and his team.
The Marvel universe is so vast, but the movies can only cover so much in the time they have. But Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. helped cover more ground in that fictional reality.
It included multiple appearances from both Nick Fury and Maria Hill. It had Peggy Carter cameos in flashback scenes, expanding on her time with the S.S.R. before Agent Carter was created. It dove into the lore and history behind Hydra, giving the group more villainy beyond what the movies showed. It used the Kree in various plot points, making the alien race a bigger threat in the MCU. It introduced Inhumans. It took Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider from the comics and brought him to life. It featured time-traveling to the past and future. It showcased different planets, dimensions and even a virtual reality.
All seven seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are streaming on Disney+.
