Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. recap/review: "Chaos Theory"

Season 3 episode 7
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues its upwards trend with another of the best episodes this season.

Melinda May has heard something about her ex, Andrew Garner. Her concerns are worsened when she's informed of Lash, the creature which SHIELD and the ATCU have been hunting. Everything she learns helps confirm the one fact she feared most: Garner is Lash. She hunts Garner down. There, she confronts Garner, and learns his motives. In the comics, Lash's motivation is to judge whether an Inhuman is "worthy," but Garner is simply concerned with whether or not they're dangerous. It's ironic, really: For all intents and purposes, Garner has become the very archetype of a dangerous Inhuman, and stopping him is first priority for both SHIELD and the ATCU. Although he has a point, it's a point that both organizations already understand and are struggling to come to terms with, and Garner is clearly deteriorating mentally. Ultimately, Garner knocks May out and brings her to his apartment suite.

This is the kind of strong characterization which permeates the entirety of "Chaos Theory," and which is best shown by different characters' views on how to deal with the Inhumans. Daisy, being an Inhuman herself, is idealistic but naive, wanting to help every Inhuman possible, whereas Rosalind has some sympathy for them but still sees them as a potential threat. Coulson, meanwhile, sits in the middle, understanding both points and being forced to make them understand each other. Early in the episode, Coulson has a meeting with the President of the United States, and with Rosalind invited over due to the occasion and due to SHIELD and the ATCU's partnership, he asks Daisy to show her around in order to help the two get along. It doesn't go very well, but both appear a little more enlightened for the encounter, and it's an excellent scene in its own right. 

The meeting with the President is postponed, however, when Lincoln contacts Mack and they learn that Garner is Lash. The latter half of the episode consists of SHIELD endeavouring to contain Lash, tracking him to the apartment. This action scene is intense and exciting, featuring numerous complications and great action. There's even some moments of real pathos at points! We also get to see a little more of Lincoln. Earlier, Garner had said that he has a "dark side," and we get to see a little of that when Lincoln angrily attacks Garner partway through the scene. There seems to be a bit of vengefulness to him that could prove problematic in the future. Ultimately, Lincoln decides to stay with SHIELD.

In-between, there's some small bits of tension where Garner, following behind Daisy and Coulson, talks about how the anxieties faced by many Inhumans could make them dangerous. There's also flashbacks to Garner and May's relationship which would be genuinely sweet if they weren't made uncomfortable due to recent revelations. Most notably, though, is the continuation of the Fitzsimmons subplot, wherein Fitz sees a picture of Simmons with the astronaut from when she was transported through the Monolith. Despite being torn up over this, Fitz chooses to focus on how much she still cared for him, and continues to work to save this astronaut. It's downright admirable, and it's all written and presented really well despite the whole subplot continuing to feel unnecessary and slightly forced.

In the final scene, Ward is talking to Gideon Malick about how he dealt with Strucker. Malick questions if he's doing the right thing, and Ward reveals that he plans to take out Coulson. Then, Malick gets a call, and he picks it up. In the episode's biggest reveal, we see who his associate is: Rosalind Price.

The ATCU is working for Hydra. Things just got a lot more complicated.

(Not sure what to call these. Reviews? Recaps?)

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