Agents of SHIELD

There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's Father died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his taking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts, than there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning out after dark in a breezy spot--say Saint Paul's Churchyard for instance-literally to astonish his son's weak mind.
-Charles Dickens

For the past four or five episodes of Agents of SHIELD, I think...this is my favorite episode ever and I don't know how they could top that.

Then, the next episode does just that.

Still, Sif being badass without the others, it'd be hard to top that. She was so badass, so awesome, so much backstory that was sadly lacking from the films. It almost makes up for ending her "Journey Into Mystery".

Almost.

During the Christmas hiatus, I re-watching every episode and started to see how everything was piecing together. Every episode explains more how everything had to start just so...you had to understand that Marley was dead.

Fitz
I love Fitz, but I hope he gets more to do. I feel like I know a LOT more about Simmons now than Fitz.

Simmons
She started off timid, but as she's gained confidence and had that noble sacrifice, she's definitely transforming into awesome. They've also given her some great dramedy to work with like shooting Sitwell and the backstory she made up with Coulson and the prostitutes. I support the internet wanting her to pair up with Skye. They have a nice chemistry together.

Ward
I don't like being told I have to like somebody and he started off seeming like a Gary Stu; perfect at everything except for some bullshit flaw like bad people skills. He even had the stereotypical SHIELD backstory: orphan, horrible childhood, workaholic to fill that void in their life except for the awful older brother...that screamed Barney Barton to me. However, my mom figured it out during my re-watch.
"He's just like Coulson now."
Except he wasn't like Coulson NOW, he was Coulson in the past...the Coulson we met in Iron Man who would have done anything because SHIELD asked him to do it and without question. He's like the younger version of Coulson, complete with banging May because you can't tell me and he and May didn't get it on at some point...

I liked the difference in how each discussed their sexual relationship with Coulson: Melinda being matter of fact and how it might affect their missions while Ward acted like a fifth grader in Sex Ed. I can't wait to see his reaction to what the viewer found out at the end of the episode. Where will his allegiance ultimately lie?

May

Holy shit, that ending!!!!!!

Obviously, Melinda is one of the most talented agents they have; pilot, martial arts, foreign languages, hot wiring, there doesn't seem to be much she can't do but I'm still curious about why she's there.
Well, now we know why she's there but why did Phil pick her?
Was it a Frodo/Gollum thing where if he could save her, he could save himself? Did he feel guilty for how it turned out with her? Did he want to force her back into the land of the living? Or was it simply that he trusted her and the rest of his team was that unskilled?

( Okay major spoilers now )

So Lorelei was one of the convenient prisoners we did NOT see in Thor: The Dark World and "Odin" wanted her bought back to Asgard which makes me think "Odin" has a plan...like wanting to track down Amora.

*fingers crossed for Thor 3 although I wish Amora would be the Clairvoyant*

I have theories and thoughts on just about everything so just ask.