Marvelous Geeks

“Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. And trust your instincts … good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don’t hurt. They’re not painful. That’s not just with somebody you want to marry, but it’s with the friends that you choose. It’s with the people you surround yourselves with.”

— Michelle Obama

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I feel as though the episode should've been titled "Hollywood Beginning" instead.

Episode Summary: “Hollywood Ending” picks up six seconds after “A Little Song and Dance” ends, but the enormous explosion is surprisingly not Jack’s fault. Howard Stark returns and with the help of his (strange) friend Joseph Manfredi, the team manages to beat Whitney in her game. Zero Matter is permanently removed from both Jason and Whitney. Peggy chooses her happy ending. Ana Jarvis returns home. And Jack’s left in a critical state with Peggy’s files in an unknown man’s hand.

Review | Analysis: “Hollywood Ending” did what Agent Carter does best; it reminded its viewers of the importance of unity while keeping a wonderful balance between heart and humor. I have no plans to write about this season finale as though it’s the end because much like Ana Jarvis, optimism runs heavily in my veins. There’s a lot to be appreciated about this particular finale, and it’s mainly due to the fact that through each and every character we met last year, we’ve seen palpable growth (except maybe in Howard, but we all need that one ridiculous friend, right?). And that’s precisely why we need to move forward with the series because there are still countless stories to be told.

The reason Agent Carter is Marvel’s most inexpressibly unique series is because of how well it works around its characters in the 1940s. It’s without a doubt one of the most female dominant series, but it’s also the one that promotes the significance of equality most eloquently. And that not only comes from the fact that each of its characters fit into the storyline, but the writers know how to give us profound moments in the most subtle ways. If this were any other series, the finale would’ve felt anti-climatic, but for Agent Carter, it works. I did however feel as though there wasn't enough Peggy and that may have actually been the biggest flaw.

However, the most important component the finale dealt with is Peggy Carter’s happiness. And that’s fundamentally what this series has always been about. Yes, Peggy’s an incredibly strong female agent at a time where the men don’t see her fit, but at the end of the day, it comes down to her moral compass and happiness -- the importance of choosing for ourselves and moving forward with honor despite what the world attempts to throw in our paths.

Spoilers Ahead

Does anyone else feel as though they’ve just gotten off a wild roller coaster?

Episode Summary: There was a lot of double crossing and way too many plans to keep up with, but the best news is, Ana Jarvis is alive. Peggy and Jarvis argue over everything that’s occurred making their friendship even stronger than before. Dr. Samberly and Rose return to help our heroes. Jason Wilkes is strong with the force, but Whitney Frost isn’t. Angie Martinelli (Lyndsy Fonseca) returns in a dream sequence to help Peggy with her difficult decisions. And in the end, it appears as though Zero Matter has completely consumed Wilkes.

Review | Analysis: “The Edge of Mystery” and “A Little Song and Dance” were superlative episodes continuing to remind viewers of the fact that Agent Carter is a series that knows how to keep a proper balance between an ongoing plot and character development. It’s also the series that tackles prominent issues in a way that allows us to understand things we may not have otherwise on much profound levels. It’s about learning to lean on other people with each and every character contributing something exceptionally unique. And if these two episodes were to teach us to anything, it is that we must learn how to take responsibility for our actions. The choices we make determine the kind of person we are, but above all, it’s how we react to the consequences of our choices.

February 14-20 "Life of the Party" and "Monsters" | Agent Carter

Spoilers Ahead

Who doesn’t love good backstories and flashbacks?!

Episode Summary: Peggy and Jarvis kidnap Rufus. Peggy and Daniel interrogate Rufus. Peggy, Daniel, Jarvis, and Jason listen in on a conversation between Rufus, Whitney, and Chadwick. And then Whitney absorbs Rufus but our darling heroes have no clue what happened. In flashbacks we learned that instead of encouraging her to use her mind to go far, Whitney’s mother discouraged her and blamed her for unsuccessful relationships. We also learn that prior to joining the S.S.R., Peggy was engaged to be married, but after her brother’s death, she followed her dreams of adventure and heroism.

Review | Analysis: Agent Carter is a series that has a lot to say and it does so with such effortless grace, it makes it incredibly easy to be inspired by it. While we women certainly relate more, the fact that there are men that have actually watched the series and understood things they may not have in such depth is remarkable. While last week taught us the importance of trusting our instincts, this week we were reminded of the fact that we need to go where our hearts desire and follow the dreams we’ve wanted our entire lives. Most of us know what we want to be when we grow up, sure it changes every once in a while, but for the most part, that one dream that’s been in our hearts our entire lives is what I personally believe is the one we should all follow. No one can accomplish anything alone, thereby, another vital theme presented in Agent Carter is that it’s important to surround ourselves with those who encourage and truly know us inside out.

Agent Carter isn’t just a series about women kicking ass and fighting for the recognition they deserve, it’s a series about remaining true to ourselves in a world where people are trying desperately to mold us into their ideal desires.

Spoilers Ahead

Serious question: is cloning possible because I’d like an Edwin Jarvis (do not ruin my dreams by saying it’s impossible because he’s “fictional”).

Episode Summary: Howard Stark returns to put his brain to use and with a new gadget we’re able to see that the reason things are strangely floating around Peggy is due to the fact that Dr. Wilkes isn’t dead but invisible. Whitney Frost is actually an alias for Agnes Cully and she too is experiencing strange things happening to her body. Unsurprisingly she feels threatened by Peggy and tells her husband she wants her out of the equation — except he fails because let’s be real who can bring down Peggy? Thompson resurfaces, stirs things up, makes unnecessary comments and thankfully doesn’t make his stay in Los Angeles permanent.

Review | Analysis: I didn’t have many complaints about this series last year, and I don’t really have any this year, but the only thing I desperately wished for is that we’d keep the “supernatural” elements that are commonly present on S.H.I.E.L.D. far, far away. Strange but realistic gadgets are perfectly fine, but this zero matter shenanigans isn’t exactly my cup of tea. But oh well, I’d watch a lot more ridiculousness as long as Peggy Carter was the center of it. That said, tonight’s episode, though more plot heavy, set a lot of fantastic things for the future in motion and gave us what’s undoubtedly another inspirational life motto: “that’s why I trust my instincts. They’re more reliable than what I’m told to believe.”

Spoilers Ahead

A badass queen who’s now twice as remarkable, a new city, new characters, impeccable banters, and good ol’ fashioned drama.

Episode Summary: Dottie Underwood is still causing havoc, but now she’s disguised as Peggy. When a body’s found in a block of ice, Los Angeles based S.S.R Chief Daniel Sousa calls Thompson for backup and gets a surprise when Peggy’s sent in. In an attempt to uncover the body’s strange form of decay the two visit Isodyne Energy in order to access more information and here we have the pleasure of meeting Jason Wilkes (Reggie Austin). We later get to meet this season’s big bad husband and wife duo Calvin Chadwick (Currie Graham) and Whitney Frost (Wynn Everett). It also appears as though the thing otherwise known as Monolith will bring a lot more eeriness to the cases, but thankfully we’ve got Jarvis’ delightful wife Ana (Lotte Verbeek) to lighten and brighten the vibe.

Review | Analysis: Both “The Lady of the Lake” and “A View in the Dark” were solid episodes that not only did a wonderful job of setting the rest of the season in motion, but it was able to effortlessly evoke all sorts of emotions. And in my book these are the kind of episodes that make writing genuinely fun. Although it was a bit overwhelming for a moment in the beginning, the new characters feel as though they belong. The biggest flaw in these episodes however was the absence of Lyndsy Fonseca’s Angie Martinelli, but thankfully she won’t stay gone too long. And while I’d normally object to any sort of a love triangle, it seems as though Agent Carter writers have found a way to tastefully execute a much more entertaining version of what I like to call #HowIMetYourFather.

LA always appears much more magical in the 1940s — Hollywood was the place to be and glitz and glamour was a marvel to be exposed to. Palm trees, pink flamingos, and what feels like 365 days of sunshine plus dry heat aside, it’s beautiful to be witnessing a more open and happier Peggy Carter. Her life still isn’t as easy it should be, but she’s no longer carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders and though the trouble in LA will be far worse than it was in New York, it’s clear we’ll be witnessing what’ll be an elegant illumination of the fact that with confidence, solid partnerships, and honor there’s nothing that can’t be done.