So ... it's the old scene-we-didn't-show-you-until-the-final-reveal trick. I should've known.
The startling turn, in retrospect, was kinda obvious in a meta-textual way. Within the story, the reason behind the turn was telegraphed by the whole nature of Hive's control/influence over other Inhumans. Yet, because of that very nature, it left things nicely muddied as the story unfolded, and the various candidates were dragged in front of us.
Still, this was a nice thriller of an episode. Albeit, SHIELD's SOP really, REALLY, does more to destroy trust than to build it, no matter who is in charge. That Coulson and May, and to a lesser degree Mack, really don't see this is worrisome. Yeah, they might be scared, and are facing an as-of-yet undefined and unknown threat originating from a particular minority, and wish to protect themselves, but they keep on making the same mistake of trying to assume a dominant stance vis-à-vis a potential threat, thereby escalating the danger, as opposed to using a more subtle, collaborative approach and attempting to de-escalate the situation.
It was good to see just how effective the Secret Warriors are, as well as Malick's revelation about Hive not being whom HYDRA had built it up to be.
It was nice to see Fitz-Simmons have their moment, and even return to teasing each other.
It was nice to see Coulson and May mentoring Daisy.
It was nice to see May's own discomfort to being kept in the dark when things get tense.
Mack ... well, obviously there's an attraction between him and "Yoyo," but SHIELD SOP has now raised a barrier between them that just might prove insurmountable.
And, of course, this is all prolog for the upcoming arc of a season finale.
/s/
Gloriosus
the G-man Himself
Edited by G-man, 20 April 2016 - 01:46 PM.