Agent Carter “Now is Not the End” + “Bridge and Tunnel” Spoilers Ahead
Sometimes a show is so good and a character is so impeccable, it’s impossible to take your eyes off the screen. And sometimes, it’s so good all you want to do is squeal about how every scene was too good for words to do justice. That’s Marvel’s Agent Carter for you – a well written, entertaining action packed series with a badass, real, vulnerable woman as its lead. What more could anyone want?
Episode/s Summary: The show begins shortly after Steve Rogers lands the plane into the ocean in 1946. Peggy Carter works for the SSR, S.H.I.E.L.D. has yet to be established, and Howard Stark is accused of selling weapons to the enemy. Laviathan is the primary villain we’re now focusing on and with Jarvis’ help, Agent Carter helps clear Stark’s name.
Review | Analysis: There wasn’t a single thing about the premiere I didn’t like. Peggy Carter has always been my favorite female lead in the Marvel universe, thus naturally, the fact that she gets her own show automatically means my expectations were high, and thankfully exceeded. It’s great that we’re given the opportunity to watch Peggy grow as an agent but beyond that, as a woman.
It’s interesting that the show begins with the plane crash scene in Captain America: The First Avenger because it’s not something I imagined seeing. It’s been so long since I last watched that film that I had almost forgotten how heartbreakingly riveting the moment was. After I pressed resume, (I had to pause because I was legitimately too emotional to focus), I realized that this was a show that’d do a splendid job of breaking my heart and making me happy at the same time. We live in a time where it’s sometimes frowned upon for a woman to grieve over the loss of love. There’s this idea that women are supposed to be fierce and okay on their own, but somehow we forget that at the end of the day, the heart cannot help itself from hurting and wanting. Peggy Carter’s grieving process is admirable. And that’s what’s so great about the show incorporating the impact Steve’s “death” had on her. While she isn’t moping around feeling sorry for herself, we’re given the opportunity to watch a woman break while trying her hardest to continue the legacy the man she loves left behind.
Additionally, I’m glad we get to know the human Jarvis and how his character will eventually play a massive role in the Avengers initiative. It’s strange that they seem to be pinning him as someone with secrets, but rest assured, I don’t doubt that they’re going to be in favor of Peggy Carter.
The interesting thing about Agent Carter “Now is Not the End” is that it was such a thrill to watch there’s not much that can be said about it. The costumes are stunning in every way possible and the show’s vibe is unlike anything on screen right now. Because the season will only run for eight episodes and the budget can be used to do more, the show feels like a film. The aesthetics are phenomenal and although it’s new, I’m almost certain it’s going to be my favorite comic inspired series – we’ll get back to this by the end of the season.
Now while there’s not much to analyze so far, I’m just going to take a moment to state what I’m looking forward most to as the series progresses. I cannot wait to watch Peggy Carter show these men that she’s the greatest agent they’ll ever know – she played such a prodigious role in Steve’s life as an Avenger, that technically, she’s one as well. I will never stop believing that in her own way, she’s not only an Avenger, but without her, Steve wouldn’t be as successful. And I cannot wait to see other people see what an irreplaceable figure she is. I cannot wait to see the sexist men at her office begin to treat her with the respect she deserves.
Hayley Atwell is brilliant. I don’t want to say too many good things about her performance because I’m sure in upcoming episodes she’ll stun us in ways we haven’t even imagined so I want to save up the good things for then. She was born to play Peggy Carter.
For those who aren’t familiar with my reviews, they’re normally not this short and they often feature a lot more analysis. However, pilots often end up being a gush fest if they’re as great as this was.
What are your thoughts on Agent Carter “Now is Not the End” + “Bridge and Tunnel?”