Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T: An Agents of SHIELD Podcast

Andrew has an update on what's going on at Film Geek Radio this summer.

Just when you thought the SHIELDCAST was over... we're back with a special bonus episode! Special guest Simon Abrams from RogerEbert.com joins the team to take a look back on Season 1 as a whole. Was it everything we hoped? What could it have done better? What were the best and worst episodes? And is it really possible for anybody to like "The Well"? Tune in to find out. Plus, listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 2:26 - Intro 5:27 - General thoughts on Season 1 23:06 - The racial politics of the Marvel universe 28:05 - The best and worst episodes of the season 39:00 - The characters and how the show ties into the movies 55:20 - Season 2 and the nerd compulsion to stay involved 1:02:37 - Listener questions 1:08:12 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

It's the end of Season 1 of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! Is "Beginning of the End" a satisfying conclusion to what by most critics' accounts has been a rocky season? Join Andrew, Rod and Bibbs as they give their thoughts on how the finale played out. Was the FitzSimmons predicament solved too easily? Was the action well-constructed or just confusing? Was Andrew ultimately won over by Paxton's performance? How does everyone feel about the characters overall? Tune in to find out. Plus, listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:40 - General thoughts on the season finale 9:50 - A refusal to commit to a direction 18:10 - Fitz and Simmons under the sea 27:10 - Action scenes, editing in the climactic confrontation 35:20 - The weird bleeding guy, character backstories 41:10 - The season as a whole 46:20 - Crazy Paxton, Graviton and more 50:27 - Listener emails and questions 1:01:46 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, the gang discusses Ward's backstory and how "Ragtag" sets the pieces in place for the season finale. What's going on with Rayna, and how is she suddenly a super scientist? Is Garrett transforming into a supervillain from the comics? Was any of Ward's backstory effective this time around, or was it just a repeat of "The Well"? Tune in to find out. Plus, the SHIELDCAST gives their predictions for the finale and says how they'd like to see the season end. And of course, they answer listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:40 - General thoughts 10:53 - Rayna's secret science knowledge, Garrett as Deathlok 15:06 - Ward's backstory 24:15 - Predictions for the finale 27:40 - Heist scene 37:00 - Listener emails and questions 46:20 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Maria Hill returns to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in "Nothing Personal," while May searches for the man behind Project T.A.H.I.T.I. and Skye tries to outsmart Ward. Is Fitz's breakdown appropriate? Is Deathlok's return a welcome one? What's up with General Talbot? Is the reveal about Coulson's brainwashing all that surprising or game-changing? And just what is the deal with that Man-Thing reference, anyway? Tune in to find out. Plus, Andrew, Rod and Bibbs go over some listener emails and questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:03 - General thoughts on the episode and Man-Thing 15:25 - Fitz has a breakdown 21:31 - General Talbot and Andrew's thoughts 25:20 - Deathlok is back; Ward and Skye's relationship 34:20 - Coulson brainwashed Coulson 40:46 - Other random stuff 48:26 - Listener emails and questions 1:04:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Quick, break out the restraining orders! Things get stalker-y again in "The Only Light In The Darkness," this time as a supervillain hunts down Coulson's favorite musician. What do Bibbs and Rod think of this depiction of Blackout? Does "The Cellist" live up to the hype? Just how evil is Ward deep down? And who will win in the battle for Simmons' affections? Tune in to find out. Plus, the team addresses listener emails and questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 7:18 - General thoughts on the episode 15:55 - Ward is super evil 24:12 - Blackout 28:57 - Fitz gets friend-zoned 31:03 - Evil Ward 34:34 - Listener emails and questions 49:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Oh no! HYDRA has infiltrated the SHIELDCAST! In this episode, Rod reveals that he's been working for HYDRA the entire time, and he brings on a new team of co-hosts to discuss "Providence." Kriss from Movie Trailer Reviews, Sterling from Gaming And Then Some, and Karen from The Black Guy Who Tips stop by to talk about Ward's betrayal, Fitz's anger issues, Coulson's falling out with May, and Patton Oswalt as Agent Koenig. Plus, is it really fair to reviews shows episodically on a week-to-week basis? Tune in for all that a lot more on... the HYDRACAST! SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:53 - General thoughts on the episode 16:53 - Ward's fake romances 24:45 - Special effects and tech 31:17 - S.H.I.E.L.D. is not what it used to be 36:30 - Fitz is mad about life, May's concerns about Coulson 43:38 - Patton Oswalt as Agent Koenig 51:59 - Villains on the loose; is Garrett the Grim Reaper? 58:47 - Judging shows too early 1:04:14 - Other stuff, listener questions 1:10:45 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Nobody can be trusted in "Turn, Turn, Turn," so can the writers be trusted to deliver a quality episode? This is the second tie-in episode to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and there are some major events going down. Are there too many twists? What is the future of S.H.I.E.L.D. and our team of agents? Is it possible Ward is still working for Coulson? How should Season 2 be structured around future films? Plus, Andrew and Rod go over listener questions and email. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:53 - General thoughts on the episode 11:40 - Too many switched loyalties 17:33 - How it relates to Captain America: The Winter Soldier 20:00 - What is S.H.I.E.L.D. now? Does it even exist? 28:08 - The Clairvoyant's identity is revealed 34:42 - Ward turns traitor 39:42 - Other stuff 48:40 - Listener questions 1:04:53 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Finally! The last mid-season break is (supposedly) over! "The End of the Beginning" represents a major turning point for the show, as it directly ties into the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Is this a satisfying twist for the MCU? Who is The Clairvoyant? Has all the relationship drama run its course? Is being forced to follow events in the movies hurting or helping the series? Tune in to find out. Plus, the team discusses listener questions and email. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 5:12 - Bibbs gives brief thoughts on Captain America: The Winter Soldier 9:00 - General thoughts 16:44 - Deathlok gets a rocket launcher 20:21 - Berserker Ward, Melinda May's "betrayal" 25:40 - Following film canon 35:13 - Comic references and the Clairvoyant 37:33 - Relationship stuff 48:00 - Feedback: Brad Dourif and the misogyny of "Yes Men" 1:04:07 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

This week on the SHIELDCAST, Andrew has a few technical difficulties, but Rod and Gwen are here to keep the show going smoothly. Both Lorelai and Lady Sif make an appearance in "Yes Men" -- is the execution of this comic and movie tie-in better than what has come before? Now that the dynamic between May and Ward is getting messy, what does that foreshadow for the future? When will Skye start to question what S.H.I.E.L.D. is doing? How much does Thor: The Dark World impact what happens in this episode? And just what is up with all these breaks, anyway? Tune in to find out. Plus, we go over listener emails. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:55 - General thoughts 14:07 - How do the Clairvoyant's powers work? 19:01 - Paxton power 22:50 - What is the "uprising," exactly? 25:50 - Weird blue people 33:27 - Killing random guards, blowing up mountains 39:40 - Lorelai and the closing scene 43:50 - Listener questions 1:01:48 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

It's been a month, but Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is finally back--and with another acronym! Andrew, Rod and Gwen discuss the fourteenth episode of the season and the big reveal about the titular T.A.H.I.T.I. What exactly are The Clairvoyant's powers, anyway? Is Bill Paxton as awesome as we'd hoped? How much will this four-episode arc actually matter in the long run? And what's up with the blue dude? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:55 - General thoughts 14:07 - How do the Clairvoyant's powers work? 19:01 - Paxton power 22:50 - What is the "uprising," exactly? 25:50 - Weird blue people 33:27 - Killing random guards, blowing up mountains 39:40 - Lorelai and the closing scene 43:50 - Listener questions 51:35 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

It seems like the writers of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. saved everything for this episode. A train! Grenades! Deathlok! Non-linear structure! Does it all work? Join the SHIELDCAST as they discuss everything from the Ward/May relationship to Mike Peterson's new name. Are Coulson's methods finally catching up with him? What happened with Deathlok and Quinn's henchmen, exactly? And why does that blonde lady seem familiar? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:30 - General thoughts 15:10 - The Ward/May relationship 25:14 - Deathlok 37:28 - Production design, back to sex stuff 43:15 - Coulson's methods affecting the team 45:55 - Emails and listener questions 58:03 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

In this special bonus episode, Andrew and Rod talk to Gwen about her behind-the-scenes visit to the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. set during the TCA press tour! How do the producers and writers feel about their work on the show so far? What big things are happening in the coming episodes? How is the set organized? Who's the coolest member of the cast? And just what happens when you touch Lola, anyway? Tune in to get the lowdown on the production of the show! SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:30 - The set, the writers, the cast 19:20 - Upcoming events and cast members; also, Lola 30:50 - Gwen's thoughts on the latest episodes 39:26 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Andrew and Rod are going solo this episode, but that doesn't stop them from having an in-depth discussion about "Seeds" and what it could mean for the future of the show. Is the reveal about Skye's origins a satisfying one? What about everything at SHIELD Academy? What happened to the super storm? And just who is this Blizzard guy, anyway? Tune in to find out. Plus, they discuss listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:31 - General thoughts on the episode 14:40 - Skye's origins, SHIELD as family 29:35 - SHIELD Academy, Fitz and Simmons 37:50 - Blizzard 41:40 - Multiple villains in The Sandbox, Ian Quinn 50:25 - What happened to the storm? 53:44 - The Wall and Coulson's brain 57:00 - Listener emails and questions 1:10:25 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is back from its winter break, but is it better than ever? AV Club critic Oliver Sava returns to discuss the show's rough patches and whether "The Magical Place" is a step in the right direction. Is the final reveal clever or just what was expected? How much is Chloe Bennet to blame for Skye being a problematic character? And, perhaps most importantly of all, does Coulson's interrogation lead to any really interesting discoveries? Tune in to find out. Plus, they discuss listener emails and questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 6:00 - General thoughts on the episode 22:03 - The final reveal at the end 29:45 - Is Skye too pretty? 38:15 - Coulson's discoveries, the show's structure and budget 55:50 - Raina and the interrogation 1:08:24 - Listener emails and questions 1:21:35 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Happy New Year! To show our appreciation for all your support, the S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. got together for a special bonus discussion to usher in 2014. They start out by talking about what they want to see from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the second half of the season, and then move on to a discussion of other shows they've either been watching or can't wait to see return. They cover Arrow, Scandal, The Returned, Once Upon A Time, Doctor Who, and a whole lot more! Plus, Bibbs recounts his brief time as porn parody actor Drake Tungsten. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:20 - What we hope to see in the second half of the season 18:42 - Other good shows we've been watching 41:04 - Shows we're looking forward to in 2014 52:44 - Bibbs discusses his alter-ego Drake Tungsten 56:50 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

We've reached the end of the first half of the first season. Does it go out on a satisfying cliffhanger that leaves us wanting more? Blair Marnell from CraveOnline returns to discuss the first ten episodes as a whole and whether the show has found its groove. Was bringing Mike Peterson back a good decision? What's the proper way to implement super soldiers? Are we judging the show on the same terms as everyone else? And what do we hope to see after the break? Tune in to find out. Plus, everyone discusses what they think are the best and worst episodes of the show so far. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 13:09 - General thoughts on the episode 22:10 - Mike's dynamic with the team 26:20 - Super soldier fight 32:06 - Ward and May have relationship issues 38:32 - Do we really like this show? 49:05 - The budget, scope, and why Coulson never wants backup 54:52 - More on Mike Peterson, a tangent on shows that add/change cast members 1:05:05 - Looking ahead to the second half of the season 1:08:06 - Best and worst episodes of the show so far 1:17:00 - Listener questions and feedback 1:25:03 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Sorry for the delay, everyone! Some crazy holiday happenings prevented Andrew from editing and releasing the episode on time, but now you can finally hear what the gang had to say about Episode 9 of the show, "Repairs." Special guest Scott Meslow from Vulture stopped by to discuss how Melinda May's backstory was handled and the show's progression as a whole. Was the use of horror-themed atmosphere and tropes satisfying? What did we really learn about Melinda May? Was the show's depiction of religion offensive? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 10:56 - General thoughts on the episode 19:25 - Melinda May's backstory 24:35 - Utilizing the Marvel mythos 32:50 - Horror vibes and the presentation of religion 42:16 - Is Skye May's daughter? 49:32 - Normal people trying to deal with superheroes 52:48 - Listener feedback and questions 1:12:12 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

There has been a coup! Bibbs takes over from Andrew as lead anchor and really gets into it. This week, the SHIELDCAST discusses "The Well," which supposedly acts as a tie-in to Thor: The Dark World. Is it an effective piece of cross-promotion? Is Ward developed in an interesting way? What about those final moments with Melinda May? And just how creepy is Peter MacNicol, anyway? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 5:07 - General thoughts on the episode 8:54 - Functioning as a tie-in to Thor: The Dark World 13:58 - Norse paganist hate groups 17:22 - Simmons has to call her parents 20:38 - Peter MacNicol! 24:45 - Melinda May's Hulk rage 29:40 - Andrew's thoughts on the episode 37:06 - Developing Ward 40:17 - Feeling too safe 54:18 - The Dollhouse reference 1:00:37 - Weird relationship stuff 1:06:17 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, the SHIELDCAST is privileged to bring on Todd VanDerWerff, the TV Editor of The A.V. Club, as a special guest. Todd watches a lot of television, and he shares his thoughts on how Marvel's venture on to the small screen stacks up against the rest of what's out there. How come "The Hub" looks so much different from other episodes? Is S.H.I.E.L.D. itself being set up as the primary villain? Does being tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe limit what the show can do creatively? What's going on with Coulson? And where's Squirrel Girl, anyway? Tune in to find out. Plus, we answer a few listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro 4:34 - General thoughts on the episode 10:02 - Better production design 18:06 - The use of The Hub 25:45 - SHIELD as the villain, tying in to Thor: The Dark World 29:43 - Whether being bound to the MCU limits the show creatively 38:50 - Cool tech 41:12 - Is Coulson a robot? 45:47 - Skye's parents, Fitz and Ward, Simmons' seduction 54:24 - Playing with tropes, writing for actors 58:55 - Crazier superpowers 1:06:02 - Listener questions 1:12:34 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is back from its week-long hiatus. Has it improved during the break? Blair Marnell from CraveOnline's TV Channel stops by to help the team discuss the relationship between Fitz and Simmons, Coulson's monologue about dying, and a lot more. How does the show seem like it's going to tie into the films? Is there a relationship square going on between Fitz, Simmons, Ward and Skye? How does this episode's structure improve on what we've seen before? And is Melinda May completely asexual? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro, honorary members 6:31 - General thoughts on the episode 10:22 - The cold open and possibility of Graviton 14:25 - The alien helmet 16:50 - Fitz, Simmons, and sloppy relationships 24:20 - Ward can't punch a disease 25:32 - Coulson talks about dying 32:07 - Agent Blake's small role 37:10 - Coulson and May, Fitz and Simmons 44:57 - Tying it into the movies, keeping the budget down 50:44 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

There was no Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode this week, but that didn't stop us from recording a show! Special guest Kriss from The Insanity Report podcast stopped by to take a look back at the first five episodes of the season and discuss where the show might be going from here. How will the Marvel One-Shots be intersecting with the show? Could Titus Welliver's Agent Blake be a recurring character? How can the show improve its characters and structure? Plus, answers to listener questions. NOTE: This episode does contain potential spoilers for Captain America: The Winter Soldier based on the trailer. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro, honorary members 7:48 - General thoughts on the show so far 17:55 - Characterization and structure 26:50 - "Item 47" and Agent Blake 39:00 - Coulson, the potential to take risks 46:07 - Rod keeps shipping Ward and Skye 50:40 - Listener questions 58:50 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

It turns out giving yourself a superhero name is a bad idea. In this episode, the S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. is joined by Russell Hainline from Movie Mezzanine and The Long and Late Movie Show. They discuss everything from tv tropes to politics to whether the show needs to be more like Cop Rock. Is Scorch a good villain of the week? Are shows like this inherently conservative? Is Skye's big secret a satisfying reveal? Tune in to find out. Plus, the team inducts a new honorary member, and Bibbs explains how the Marvel universe is often depicted... in the Marvel universe. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro, honorary members and synopsis 6:25 - General thoughts on the episode 12:04 - Scorch: he has a NAME 21:33 - Manning, Snowden and the show's conservative politics 27:50 - Is Miles really a bad dude? 32:25 - Skye's big secret 44:38 - How close to our universe is this? Is The Avengers a movie in this universe? 46:58 - So, there are mutants, right? 48:04 - Graphic violence and casual killing 50:20 - The titular girl in the flower dress 55:40 - Problems with the "monster-of-the-week" format 1:00:38 - Cop Rock, the bracelets, and other miscellaneous thoughts 1:05:34 - Listener questions 1:14:20 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

The S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. is joined by Oliver Sava from the AV Club to discuss the fourth episode of the first season, "Eye Spy." Pascale Armand guest stars as a rogue agent trying to steal secrets, but there's more to her than first meets the eye--literally. How is this episode aesthetically different from the previous three? Are we likely to see mutants in the near future? And is developing more Marvel shows for television really the best idea in the long run? Tune in for discussions on all this, and more. Plus, Oliver and Bibbs educate non-comic enthusiasts on SHIELD's potential enemies, and the gang welcomes an honorary member of the team. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro, honorary members and synopsis 6:20 - General thoughts on the episode 11:07 - Pascale Armand as Akela 16:03 - Coulson is acting differently, unclear character motivations 21:14 - Surveillance, funniest bits 26:51 - More graphic than previous episodes 32:56 - The opening sequence 35:54 - No ESP or mutant powers 40:16 - Is Coulson being monitored? 43:16 - The lighting and "look" of the episode 45:25 - Oliver eductes us on AIM 51:31 - Do we really want more Marvel shows? 1:01:34 - Comparisons with Arrow, other miscellaneous stuff 1:07:25 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

In the third episode of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., "The Asset, " the team encounters a mysterious element that can alter gravity. Have we just witnessed the creation of this season's Big Bad? Who is this character in the comics, and what makes him such a compelling villain? Is it fair to criticize the show for its depiction of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Big Brother? And is the show a visual disappointment?  Tune in for discussions on all this and a lot more! Plus, things go a little off the rails when the S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. starts discussing the sexual tension between Skye and Ward... SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro and synopsis 4:09 - General thoughts on the episode 6:25 - The opening action sequence 8:47 - Ward and Skye character development 16:37 - Dr. Franklin Hall as a potential Big Bad, whether SHIELD is good or evil 29:03 - Who is Graviton? 37:00 - Bibbs' general thoughts on the episode; the visual style and direction 44:30 - The benefits of using lesser-known Marvel characters 50:57 - Alyssa Rosenberg's article, the theme of surveillance 57:37 - So much sexual tension! 1:05:31 - Listener questions 1:18:48 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com or by leaving a voicemail at 336-793-2509. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, the S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. analyzes "0-8-4," the second episode of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Is this an improvement over the pilot? Does Clark Gregg have range as an actor? Are there so many Marvel references that the show is incomprehensible to casual fans? Is Skye a weaker character than everyone else, or do people single her out just because she’s a girl? And could romantic relationships ruin the show or make the characters more interesting? Tune in for discussions on all this and a lot more! SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro and synopsis 5:21 - General thoughts on the episode 9:36 - A team, not individuals 12:56 - Agent Coulson and Clark Gregg's acting ability 20:45 - Too many callbacks and references? Will casual fans understand everything? 30:22 - Episode structure, campy plane stuff 37:17 - On-the-nose dialogue 39:47 - What type of "magic" could the show explore, exactly? 46:39 - Examining the direction 50:42 - Skye, sexism and characterization 57:07 - Romance and other stuff 1:05:00 - Politics in the Marvel Universe 1:10:49 - Closing thoughts 1:12:43 - Listener questions 1:15:14 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

It's been hyped-up for years, and now it's finally here! Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has premiered, and in this episode the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.C.A.S.T. take an in-depth look at the pilot episode. Are the characters compelling? What does the show seem to be saying about institutions and the working class? How is it already being tied into the Marvel films? And a whole lot more, including listener questions. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro and info on live shows 3:10 - General thoughts on the pilot 8:40 - The characters 16:56 - Ensemble cast; who is the protagonist? 20:47 - The thematic subtext; whether institutions are good or evil 23:22 - S.H.I.E.L.D. as NSA-like invader of privacy 25:40 - Racial subtext, S.H.I.E.L.D. as The (White) Man 33:31 - Is Marvel now The Man? 37:43 - Meshing with the films; when is this taking place? 46:57 - Truth serum, Lola, the score 57:41 - Listener questions 1:02:36 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

If you're a fan of Marvel superheroes and Joss Whedon, you'll love Film Geek Radio's latest weekly podcast! Tune in every week to hear in-depth analysis of the new ABC television series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from a panel of professional critics and comics enthusiasts. In this pilot episode, Andrew Johnson is joined by William Bibbiani, Gwen Reyes and Rod Morrow to discuss what they're hoping to see in the series and the potential for Marvel to bring some of their lesser-known characters to the small screen. SHOW NOTES: 0:50 - Intro and info on live shows 4:32 - The hosts' experience with comics, Joss Whedon, etc. 11:31 - What we're hoping to get out of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 15:23 - Episodic structure vs. serialization 20:17 - Potential to explore the Marvel universe 25:00 - Ways to tie it in to the film series 31:40 - The limitations of television 35:37 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing shieldcast@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!