Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Top 5 Moments from “All Roads Lead …”
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Well, this certainly was a thrilling, though slighting perplexing hour of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The stuff that worked far outweighed the things that didn’t, which means I didn’t hate the episode. However, we’ve been building toward this massive climax of the Earth’s destruction, and if Yo-Yo truly broke the loop it just feels like it went out on a whimper instead of a bang. You know what I mean? Of course, there are still a handful of episodes left and we’ve got zero clue where the writers are headed. I guess I need to keep my expectations in check. As I’ve mentioned in previous Top 5s, it would be cool to see the planet quake apart as Kasius’ father arrives with his armada. Though with Avengers: Infinity War just around the corner, it’s highly unlikely that would happen without Earth’s Mightiest Heroes being aware. Executive producer Jed Whedon told TV Guide the events of the movie will “definitely catch their attention,” meaning the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters, but the show won’t affect the larger MCU. Sadly, I have a feeling the time-loop is officially history and the writers are moving on from here. Enough blabbering and hoping for things that will never come to pass… Let’s jump into this week’s Top 5 moments shall we?
1. We Did It, or Rather… Yo-Yo Did It
Is it possible that breaking the time loop was that easy all along? Did taking out the psychotic blonde really do the trick? What about Coulson having to die? Now that would certainly have been a much more difficult decision to make. I admit I feel a tad bit thrown for a loop by these turn of events. Don’t get me wrong, Von Strucker getting his skull crushed was super cool and I had a feeling either Ruby or her mother were going to die here. Plus, Yo-Yo being the one to finish off the tiny terror who took her arms was pure poetic justice. That said, are the writers implying that Daisy saved Ruby’s life in all the past attempts leading to the destruction of Earth? Why would she do that, if even Ruby’s mother knew the girl was unstable and had gone rogue? Was Daisy the “destroyer of worlds” simply because she saved Ruby’s life? At this point, the puzzle pieces just aren’t coming together clearly enough for me. Naturally, Hale’s compliance in the final moments means The Confederacy is about to step into the action. More on this below. If you’re slightly confused too, welcome to the club.

2. Pent Up Aggression
While I absolutely loved the Daisy/May team up, I was surprised Coulson backed down as leader so easily. I mean, Daisy kept saying I’m only stepping up until we get Coulson back. Now that their fearless leader has returned, she sidelines him? I understand the plot required Coulson stay behind to take care of the Talbot situation. It just felt a little odd the way Daisy took control and was barking orders at everyone, including Phil Coulson himself. That’s just my first impression, I don’t know. Still, watching Quake enter that Hydra base and use her powers knocking baddies left and right was awesome! Agent May definitely got a chance to release some of that pent up aggression during the hour’s best fight sequence. It was almost a shame to see Hale surrender and work side by side with our heroes. The villains have caused so much damage you just want them eliminated already. Personally, I don’t care how damaged by Hydra both Hale and her daughter were. They need to be taken out of play for the greater good. You know?

3. You’re Coming With Me
In retrospect, we should have known that Talbot had been programmed to comply by Hydra. This arc was too “Winter Soldier-y” for my taste, though for a moment I thought the General was responsible for the death of Robin’s mother. The seer definitely recognized the man, right? That might have been interesting, no? Unfortunately, Talbot didn’t accomplish much in the end and Coulson was predictably able to talk him down. Clearly the writers are not ready to let go of the character. He must still have a purpose this season. With his brain all scrambled by Hydra though, is General Talbot much use to anyone anymore? I did think he was going to take his own life, but nope. Hey, perhaps they’ll bring in Black Panther’s sister Shuri to help? After all, she managed to cure Bucky/Winter Soldier/White Wolf.

4. Lemons
Now that we’re so close to the end of the season, looking back it’s incredibly hard to believe how much I disliked Deke at the start. He is, without a doubt, the most pleasant surprise for me this season. The guy’s our comic relief character throughout all the chaos. Not only was Deke’s heart to heart with Coulson and Mack hilarious, but Jeff Ward’s delivery is so earnest and genuine that you can’t help but love the guy. I laughed so hard when Mack called him “lemons.” Wasn’t that just perfect? Do you think he will actually leave Daisy a lemon on her bed? ? Sure, Daisy’s got some feelings for Fitz-Simmons’ grandson, but I doubt they’re romantic. If you look at the fellas she’s hooked up with in the past like Ward and Lincoln, Deke doesn’t really seem like her type. Do you disagree? Think the two will get together before Deke heroically sacrifices himself for the team? Let me know in the comments below.

5. Hale Complies
Okay, so does the final scene mean the cataclysmic event isn’t quite averted? Didn’t the blast that came from a floating Ruby signify a break in the time-loop? Also, wasn’t The Confederacy’s goal to save humanity or are they only interested in a select few people? I might have to go back and rewatch the second half of the season before the finale, because I’m a little fuzzy. I understand Hale’s lost Ruby which motivated the majority of her poor decisions, but allowing the world to end ‘cause her daughter snapped? Yeah, I just don’t get that kind of thinking. General Hale has done a ton of flip-flopping this season, so this move shouldn’t come as a surprise. It’s just that as one of the more fleshed-out characters this season, she doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Anyway, I’m curious to see where things go from here and still hopeful we get some renewal news soon.
What did you think of “All Roads Lead …”? Did breaking the time-loop seem too easy? Were you hoping it was Yo-Yo that finished Ruby off? What did you think of General Talbot being programmed by Hydra? Will Deke and Daisy hook up? Alright, it’s your turn to share your thoughts and possibly clear up some of my confusion. Please go ahead and hit the comments section below. Just four episodes left, guys.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and CTV.
“Is it possible that breaking the time loop was that easy all along?” – maybe; it’s possible this broke the loop or maybe this happens each time and Daisy saving Ruby is what would be different. Maybe the next episodes will confirm or deny a change based on this choice.
I miss Ruby already!
I think Daisy will be touched by Deke’s crush but she won’t date him as she’s got too much going on number one and two when she finds out who he is she’ll say no just because of the age gap possibly. I’m still not sold on the idea Deke will die at the end of the season, it’s possible but I don’t feel it’s a must.
“Didn’t the blast that came from a floating Ruby signify a break in the time-loop?” – there’s nothing to show that’s what the blast meant so it’s possible the old timeline is still in play. The more I think about the more I think if the show is renewed it’ll bump to Marvel’s streaming service as part of a content filler; they’re taking news to the 11th hour as they say and the closer it gets the more it feels like the end of the series as we know it. If they do come back it might be for one season with a slimmed down episode count but when you factor in “Infinity Wars” being a big wrap up of the movies it adds to the end of the show as a commercial for the movies. Yes there may be more movies after this but they don’t need the extra advertising space AOS kind of gave the first phases.
“What did you think of General Talbot being programmed by Hydra?” – boring repeat plot. I was fine with Elena killing Ruby I just don’t know if that screwed their chances of breaking the loop that way because I’m not sold on her death being the end all break. Had they saved her the change might have been bigger but there’s nothing to say one thing will change the loop, maybe it’s a series of events that add up to the big break.