Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

[eldaec]

Also the GoT pilot was great - not least because it didn't bother to explain the backdrop in excruciating detail. Similarly this show didn't need to recite the Avengers script word for word, but pilots get a pass from me on that shit because that sort of insecurity usually disappears after a few episodes.

[Fordel]

The Plane isn't limited to the US, but really it's just the poormans helicarrier. I believe they said so as much. 

[Khaldun]

I'm fascinated that people think they know how they're going to solve the mystery of Coulson's survival but that their assumptions are different. "Pfft, he's obviously a robot/android/clone/LMD/returned from Valhalla, how boring."

[Fordel]

He's obviously one of those robot duplicates Nick Fury always uses in the comics. 

[Hayduke]

All Coulsen is capable of is going from scene to scene with a shit eating grin.  Why are we supposed to care what he is?

[eldaec]

The Plane isn't limited to the US, but really it's just the poormans helicarrier. I believe they said so as much. 

The plane isn't limited that way but the show isn't going to have them go save brown people.

I'm fascinated that people think they know how they're going to solve the mystery of Coulson's survival but that their assumptions are different. "Pfft, he's obviously a robot/android/clone/LMD/returned from Valhalla, how boring."

The point is he isn't Coulson, and they didn't need Shephard Book and Robin HowImetyourmother to give that away up front in such an eyerollingly bad scene of the sort that no writer worth a damn would have included if this weren't a pilot.

[Lakov_Sanite]

The Plane isn't limited to the US, but really it's just the poormans helicarrier. I believe they said so as much. 

The plane isn't limited that way but the show isn't going to have them go save brown people.

I'm fascinated that people think they know how they're going to solve the mystery of Coulson's survival but that their assumptions are different. "Pfft, he's obviously a robot/android/clone/LMD/returned from Valhalla, how boring."

The point is he isn't Coulson, and they didn't need Shephard Book and Robin HowImetyourmother to give that away up front in such an eyerollingly bad scene of the sort that no writer worth a damn would have included if this weren't a pilot.

The scene itself was way too blunt but I like that they weren't going to stretch out the question for an entire season.  Something is up, get it out of the way and move on, worry about details later.

[jgsugden]

The Plane isn't limited to the US, but really it's just the poormans helicarrier. I believe they said so as much. 

The plane isn't limited that way but the show isn't going to have them go save brown people.

I have a feeling you're going to be eating those words before too long.  Episode 2 takes them to South America.  They'll be in Africa before midseason, I bet.

I'm fascinated that people think they know how they're going to solve the mystery of Coulson's survival but that their assumptions are different. "Pfft, he's obviously a robot/android/clone/LMD/returned from Valhalla, how boring."

The point is he isn't Coulson, and they didn't need Shephard Book and Robin HowImetyourmother to give that away up front in such an eyerollingly bad scene of the sort that no writer worth a damn would have included if this weren't a pilot.

Whedon does a lot of misleads.  LMDs are the obvious answer.  To me, that makes it a mystery, still.  However, I think you're caught up in the mechanic and missing the story.  If he is an LMD or what-not, that reveal is going to be a small part of the storyline.  How would Coulson being an LMD play out in a show that is all about the 'normals' in a world of supers?  Because the show is about what it means to be a hero in a world where there are Superheroes, I think there is a good chance that the obvious (to comic fans) LMD option is just a mislead. 

[HaemishM]

Man you motherfuckers are way too goddamn cynical for your own good. This show was a good start.

[Evildrider]

Man you motherfuckers are way too goddamn cynical for your own good. This show was a good start.

It's almost easier just to stay out of these threads if you like a show. 

[eldaec]

I should stress I liked it. It was fun.  Just they were the bits I didn't like.

[Ghambit]

I too "liked" it, but let's be honest with ourselves... 5 yrs from now there will be a MUCH better supers show on TV and we'll look back at this one whilst choking back the upwelling vomit.  I look at the show as a purely freshman, corporate attempt to cash in on a burgeoning market.  Fun for now, yes but definitely not as good as it should be nor as good as a similar show (down the road) likely will be.

Either that, or they'll catch their stride in the 2nd season mayhaps.  We'll see.

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

[Reg]

Your optimism about future super shows is just so cute. Even so, I think it's a weird that you're bitching about SHIELD because it's not as good as some non-existent future television show.

[Nevermore]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Image?  Really?  Name one good Image superhero comic.

[Velorath]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Image?  Really?  Name one good Image superhero comic.

If you count imprints and stuff that started at Image that ended up moving somewhere else I think you've got Rising Stars, Invincible, Powers, and Astro City.

[eldaec]

Your optimism about future super shows is just so cute. Even so, I think it's a weird that you're bitching about SHIELD because it's not as good as some non-existent future television show.

And especially weird to be bitching that Marvel are cashing in on the superhero bubble. Marvel *is* the superhero bubble, and Marvel do little outside of telling stories about superheros.

Its like accusing GM of being a corporate sellout for making cars during a period of strong car sales.

[Ghambit]

Your optimism about future super shows is just so cute. Even so, I think it's a weird that you're bitching about SHIELD because it's not as good as some non-existent future television show.

Its like accusing GM of being a corporate sellout for making shitty cars during a period of strong car sales.

Fixed.

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Image?  Really?  Name one good Image superhero comic.

If you count imprints and stuff that started at Image that ended up moving somewhere else I think you've got Rising Stars, Invincible, Powers, and Astro City.

Wildcats was a pretty good cartoon series.  So was the Maxx.  Stormwatch was supposed to get picked up into something TV/movie-based if not fed into CATS (essentially grittier x-men).  I also thought Deathblow was a noir work of art that definitely could be done into a great movie.  Piit/Maxx in some kind of live-action satire "kickass-like" thing might work too.  I've been out of comics for quite some time though;  has anyone of late been able to top the dominance of Jim/Jae Lee + Choi??  Granted, I'm partial to their styles.

In re. Spawn; a huge letdown and likely the deathknell for anything Image in the movies tbh.  I guess Vertigo had "V," but meh.  Quirky shit like Marvel-Razorline might be fun too (they tried Saint Sinner but failed).

[jgsugden]

When Marvel or DC makes a TV or movie series, it'll be seen as bringing the character to the screen.  If Image, Vertigo or some other 'small' company's character makes it as a success on screen, they'll talk about how it began as a comic.  Marvel or DC going to the screen is a universe apart from Spawn, Rising Stars, or their ilk going to the big screen.

However, there is a path to making it a 'bigger deal'.  One that was just walked by Angela. 

[Velorath]

In re. Spawn; a huge letdown and likely the deathknell for anything Image in the movies tbh. 

Wanted was an Image book. Also there's that kinda successful TV show Walking Dead which is based on an Image comic. I don't think that some shit movie from 15 years ago really carries quite the stigma you think it does. Especially since Image stuff is all creator owned and it's ultimately up to the creators to shop around their properties. It's not like Image as a publisher is trying to get studios to take interest in their stable of properties or something.

[Margalis]

Lots of movies are based on comic books but don't come off as comic book movies - for example 30 Days of Night, A History of Violence, etc. However in these cases the fact that they are based on comic books doesn't do much for them in terms of marketing, awareness or appeal.

[Merusk]

In re. Spawn; a huge letdown and likely the deathknell for anything Image in the movies tbh. 

Wanted was an Image book. Also there's that kinda successful TV show Walking Dead which is based on an Image comic. I don't think that some shit movie from 15 years ago really carries quite the stigma you think it does. Especially since Image stuff is all creator owned and it's ultimately up to the creators to shop around their properties. It's not like Image as a publisher is trying to get studios to take interest in their stable of properties or something.

Yeah,  if there's unsuccessful or big-flop Image properties out there, look to the artist for bumbling or not shepherding it properly, not the studio. That Spawn was such an abomination can be laid entirely at McFarlane's feet. (And good lord I just read they're doing another attempt at it.)

[Nevermore]

I specified Image *superhero* comics deliberately, since I know Walking Dead was Image.  The only three Image superhero comics I remember having looked at way back when were Wildcats, Stormwatch and Spawn and all three of those sucked balls.

[Velorath]

I specified Image *superhero* comics deliberately, since I know Walking Dead was Image.  The only three Image superhero comics I remember having looked at way back when were Wildcats, Stormwatch and Spawn and all three of those sucked balls.

The Walking Dead comment was specifically directed at Ghambit. However I did point out a number of good superhero comics that came out of Image as well right underneath your previous post.

[Nevermore]

I specified Image *superhero* comics deliberately, since I know Walking Dead was Image.  The only three Image superhero comics I remember having looked at way back when were Wildcats, Stormwatch and Spawn and all three of those sucked balls.

The Walking Dead comment was specifically directed at Ghambit. However I did point out a number of good superhero comics that came out of Image as well right underneath your previous post.

Yeah, I know.  It was just a general comment, which is why I didn't quote you.

[Simond]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Sandman would make a great radio series.

[Evildrider]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Sandman would make a great radio series.

I'd like HBO or Starz to do a Dresden Files show, one that doesn't have SyFy's fingerprints all over it.

[Thrawn]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Sandman would make a great radio series.

I'd like HBO or Starz to do a Dresden Files show, one that doesn't have SyFy's fingerprints all over it.

Use the same actor for Dresden though, from the little I remember of it he was great casting stuck in bad writing.

[RhyssaFireheart]

I agree on the Dresden Files for HBO (or any network that will treat it with respect); not sure about the Sandman for radio only because I'd love to see it brought to "life" somehow.  Wonder if animated would work?

Back to the actual topic - I finally got around to watching the pilot episode and even after reading this thread first, I really enjoyed it.  Enough to keep the series on record and watching.

[Evildrider]

HBO needs a good supers show tbh.  Something from the Image or Vertigo lines maybe.

Sandman would make a great radio series.

I'd like HBO or Starz to do a Dresden Files show, one that doesn't have SyFy's fingerprints all over it.

Use the same actor for Dresden though, from the little I remember of it he was great casting stuck in bad writing.

Yeah, I liked Paul Blackthorne.  At least he's in Arrow now.

[MediumHigh]

Oh man this show....

Isn't fuck stupid. Oh no its not great, its just really corny. Wheadon dialogue prevents the ham from being sliced, but the show seems to chugging along as a walking ad for the...fuck me Marvel Movie Universe? The characters are really un-pleasing to the eyes. Coulson smiles waaay too much, the "nerds" are basically super models who talk really fast and except for the "guy" nerd who basically a trendy "sexy nerd" and we know he is nerd because of his hot-topic/h+M attire. Oh fuck me. The most bland character is easily the most likable...behind coulson, simply because he was typed casted to a T and the only one whose actions and mannerism come from the scary government agency PR calls Shield. Everyone else is wide eyed civilians who only manage to keep their jobs because their the only ones in their age group that doesn't smoke weed.

Some bits of facepalm is...

1. So your bad guys of the week manage to get their hands on
* hulk blood
* super soldier serum
* alien weeboo tech
* extremis

Oh look and by our powers combine we are CAPTAIN MARVEL UNIVERSE!! 

2. the social commentary non speech of derilum!! 

Can only get better from here   

[Khaldun]

I just don't get enough opportunities to read conversations that could have been pulled straight off of Harry Knowles' site. Thanks!

[sickrubik]

...does MediumHigh write Time Cube?

[jgsugden]

The "super models" are unappealing to the eye?  I'm not sure how that works.  Usually when people try having it both ways with a super model, they have something else in mind.

Regardless: People are falling over themselves to hate on this show, and I just don't get why.  

This is TV - everyone is more attractive than they should be if this were real life.  They're no more attractive than the casts of Angel, Buffy, Firefly or any other Whedon show.  Or, any other prime time show.  Besides, there are very attractive people in the tech world.  If you feel the need for justification, us beautiful people tend to get more opportunities than you ugglies.  It makes sense that being beautiful might give them an opportunity to get into something as difficult to enter as S.H.I.E.L.D.  

This was a 1 hour 'drama' (as opposed to comedy) pilot, so it had the typical rushing issues to cram in all the things they wanted to test and establish.  I don't understand why people don't get that after seeing a number of pilots.  They had to sell executives on this show, so they had to throw in a kitchen sink.  They did a great job limiting how rushed and crowded it felt.  

Watch episodes 2 through 6 and then evaluiate.  It will be worth the viewing.

[Hayduke]

I'm more surprised by the lack of negativity given just how bad this show was.  If this used an offbrand license people would be calling it The Cape 2.0.

[Nevermore]

You need to go back and watch The Cape again if you really think that.