Even after rewatching the show countless times, I’ve never been sure where Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2 ranks among the rest. I like it but have never loved it. Even so, the second season continues to be a great watch every time. From an expanded team and further insight into Skye’s heritage and family history, the season has plenty of moments that are heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Here are some random things I noted during my Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2 rewatch:
The Playground is my favorite S.H.I.E.L.D. base.
The Playground has everything: history, plenty of space, and areas that can feel like home. If I were a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, I’d appreciate all the place has to offer—especially after living on the Bus. You can have your own room with a proper-sized bed for an adult. When you’re training, you can get your workout done in a room with enough space for movement. The lab is spacious, and medical care doesn’t need to be done in a cramped room like on the Bus. Not to mention a kitchen and a lounge area where you can play video games!
Hunter is actually probably one of my favorite Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters.
I worded that strangely, but I did that on purpose. Because it wasn’t until this latest rewatch of season 2 that I realized how Hunter is likely one of my favorite AoS characters. I have my definite favorites, but I never thought to figure out who else would be included beyond them. But, now that I think about it, I do like Hunter more than several the main characters from throughout the seven seasons. His chaotic, unapologetic nature is entertaining. Though he can be brash, he’s committed and a good agent who actually cares even if he has a rebellious persona. And if you’re his friend, he will have your back.
The May versus Agent 33 fight is iconic.
If you’ve seen this fight, then you know just how epic it is. It’s easily one of the best scenes of the entire series. The finishing move May uses to take out Agent 33? Brilliant.
Trip deserved better!
Trip is undoubtedly one of my favorite Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters, so I dread his death every single time I rewatch the show. He’s smart, charismatic, and brings the best energy to the team. He’s the supportive, loyal partner we all want but don’t deserve—except for Skye, perhaps.
I don’t remember all of the logistics behind B.J. Britt leaving the show and why Trip had to be written off, but I remember him having to leave to do another show. So it’s not like Trip was written off just to get rid of him. But that doesn’t change the fact that I wish he had a better ending.
Huntingbird is one of the show’s best ships.
This is a statement probably better argued with season 3 in mind. However, the point can still stand strong with just season 2 in consideration. The finale, in particular, proves how much Bobbi and Hunter love each other—even if they have their issues. Part of what makes Huntingbird such an intriguing ship is how you don’t really know what will become of them.
I’m not saying they’re necessarily a “good” couple, and they definitely don’t have the healthiest relationship. But, even with their conflicts, I never feel bored by their storylines or frustrated that they’re together. Their relationship isn’t simple, but it’s easy to understand their connection.
They’re both badasses who support and care for each other, which I love. Bobbi, especially, is a strong woman, and Hunter isn’t intimidated by her whatsoever. Their bickering is also so fun to watch. Because even if it’s legitimate annoyance, you know they don’t truly hate each other. And, when they start hooking up again, it’s no surprise, but you wonder where it’ll ultimately lead. I surely couldn’t have guessed the “real S.H.I.E.L.D.” and Bobbi keeping that secret is what would (again but temporarily) cause their split.
Fitz’s best moment of the entire show is in episode 2×11: “Aftershocks.”
Whenever I think of Fitz, his moment with Skye in “Aftershocks” sticks out. She is terrified and doing her best to hold it together. So when she unintentionally starts quaking the base and breaks the glass scientific equipment with her in containment, she is understandably even more scared. But instead of Fitz freaking out and creating distance from Skye, he helps her.
Fitz understands how vulnerable Skye is, and he sees the uneasiness lingering throughout the team. But he never sees Skye as a threat or someone to be protected from. He sees her as a person going through a tough time. He sees her as someone to protect. And though the physical support is important, perhaps what’s even more crucial is the comforting message he offers Skye after she agrees that something is wrong with her.
Yes, he initially tells Skye that there’s “something wrong with (her),” but I never felt that’s what he actually meant. Given his brain injury, he hasn’t been able to communicate as effectively as he could before. So when he says that, I took it as his way of trying to say that Skye is different. So when he has the chance to correct himself and assure Skye that he was wrong, he does and say, “You’re just different now, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
That moment gave him the depth and humanity of someone more than one of the science geniuses. He could relate to Skye because of how his head trauma changed him. He knows what it’s like to be different and understands that “different” doesn’t mean “wrong.” It’s a moment that makes me miss that side of Fitz and the stronger friendship it allowed him and Skye to develop.
Mack’s growth is truly astounding.
I don’t dislike Mack in season 2, but I don’t necessarily like him either. The one thing I like about him in season 2 is how he befriends Fitz and pushes him to make progress, whether that’s mentally or professionally with whatever current project he’s working on. Beyond that, there isn’t much to be fond of with Mack, especially as the season progresses. He reveals himself to be mistrusting and defensive, and his demeanor becomes very unappealing. Considering where he is at the end of the show, seeing how his character started is weird. But I’m grateful for his growth.
Real S.H.I.E.L.D. didn’t not make sense but was still dumb.
I understand the skepticism other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents could have with Coulson. Because yes, Fury did have a lot of secrets, and he was close with Coulson—who was chosen by Fury himself to lead and rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D. Given how Hydra took down S.H.I.E.L.D., it makes sense to want more transparency within your agency. But how did “real S.H.I.E.L.D.” possibly think being a secret to Coulson’s S.H.I.E.L.D. would be any good? Gonzales and the rest of them really thought, “You know how we should protest Fury and his endless secrets even after his death? With a secret faction of S.H.I.E.L.D.!” Ridiculous.
Bobbi had to be one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s best agents.
I don’t see enough people talk about how Bobbi had to be one of the best agents S.H.I.E.L.D. had. And I’m not simply talking about her fighting skills. Beyond her combat abilities, Bobbi is smart. Not FitzSimmons smart, but seemingly the most intelligent agent after them. She has a degree in biology and a good grasp of psychology, as evidenced by her analysis of Sunil Bakshi during her interrogation of him. I may be getting ahead and thinking of season 3 here, but she’s also multilingual, which is always impressive. Given her range, it’s tough to think there was a better overall, versatile agent in that organization—both pre- and post-fall.
Seeing how the team turns on Skye after Terrigenesis hurts.
There are a few moments in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that I find truly infuriating, and the team’s reaction to Skye being Inhuman is one of them. Coulson, May, and Fitz are the only ones who show her the care and compassion she needs in the aftermath of the temple. I get they’re all scared and unsure now that Skye has powers that can be destructive and she has little control over. But Skye isn’t a stranger; she’s their teammate. She has fought alongside them and always had their backs. She’s scared for herself and that she might hurt them—which she, of course, doesn’t want.
It’s not like Skye is the first time they’ve encountered powered individuals. They know such beings exist. So while they can be upset and wish they weren’t kept in the dark, they should still be considerate teammates who want to help Skye however they can. They should have given her the benefit of the doubt. Being scared but still caring for Skye are two things that can coexist.
Skye really has so few reasons to trust anyone.
Remember when Skye said in season 1 that whatever happened to her parents couldn’t be worse than what she imagined? She was so wrong, and I hate that for her.
It’s heartbreaking to see how Skye’s journey to Jiaying unfolds and concludes. All she ever wanted was her family. But what Skye gets instead is a deceitful mom who cares more about power and revenge than finally having her family together. I don’t know how Skye manages to still trust anyone after what happens with Jiaying. Maybe the fact that her father, Cal, turned out to not be as bad as initially anticipated evened out the traumatic score for Skye. Still, Jiaying is far from the first person to wrong Skye after she chooses to trust them: Miles and Ward, anyone? And neither of them is her family.
Has anyone else ever gotten to drive Lola besides Skye?
Would Skye have even gotten the chance to drive Lola if not for the fact Coulson was missing a hand? I know Coulson has a soft spot for Skye, but it’s still worth questioning, especially since season 2 is still earlier on in what becomes more than a friendship and professional relationship into a father-daughter-like relationship.
