Cordelia: I don’t get it. Buffy’s the Slayer. Shouldn’t she have…
Xander: What, a license to kill?
Cordelia: Well, not for fun. But she’s like this superman. Shouldn’t there be different rules for her?
Willow: Sure, in a fascist society.
Cordelia: Right! Why can’t we have one of those?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 2: Episode 11 – “Ted”
The penultimate episode of Agents of SHIELD was preceded by the excitement of Avengers: Age of Ultron and followed this week by the news that both SHIELD and Agent Carter have been renewed for a second season. In between all of that, however, was an episode filled with surprises, setting the stakes for the two-hour season finale on Tuesday. Last week we watched our heroes (plus Ward) launch an attack/rescue mission on HYDRA, reuniting the original team for the first time in what felt like ages. This week showed us some of the aftermath of that mission, as well as the events of Age of Ultron, as the power dynamic at SHIELD was shaken up once again and the conflict with the Inhumans finally came to a head. So let’s take a look at “Scars,” written by Rafe Judkins and Lauren LeFranc and directed by Bobby Roth.
‘She’s the Superb; she does so to keep her station and not over-run the Admiral, for she is a superb sailer, you know, the best in the fleet. Did you hear that?’
‘Yes.’
‘It was rather clever, I thought — witty.’
Master and Commander – Patrick O’Brian
Julian Bashir: I can’t look away for a second.
Miles O’Brien: Just fix the shoulder… Careful!
Julian Bashir: Sit still, or you’re gonna end up with one arm shorter than the other!
Miles O’Brien: You’d do anything to beat me at darts.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 7: Episode 25 – “What You Leave Behind”
“Elphias Doge mentioned her to us,” said Harry, trying to spare Hermione.
“That old berk,” muttered Aberforth, taking another swig of mead. “Thought the sun shone out of my brother’s every orifice, he did. Well, so did plenty of people, you three included, by the looks of it.”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
Xander: Having issues much?
Buffy: I am not!
Xander: You’re having parental issues, you’re having parental issues…
Willow: Xander…
Xander: What? Freud would’ve said the exact same thing. Except he might not have done that little dance.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 2: Episode 11 – “Ted”
If there was one criticism that could be leveled against 2012’s The Avengers, it might be that the film was just a little too perfect. I know that sounds like a ridiculous thing to say, but bear with me. The second highest grossing film of all time was almost universally beloved and forever changed the landscape of the film industry with its success, but it was perhaps a little too polished. The action was too slick, the one-liners too well-timed and well-written, the effects too impressive, the heroes too heroic and the villains too villainous. For Avengers: Age of Ultron, the second Avengers film, the eleventh movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Joss Whedon’s second and final outing in the MCU, that perfection is intentionally avoided and the result is a film that’s messier, dirtier, more complicated, and ultimately a richer and better film than its predecessor.
‘Has she got out of the mole?’ cried Stephen, at a considerable distance. ‘Has the battle begun?’ Reassured, he said, ‘I would not have missed it for a hundred pounds: that damned fellow in Ward B and his untimely fancies — a fine time to cut one’s throat, good lack a-day.’
Master and Commander – Patrick O’Brian
Nog: I lost the Breen ship we were after.
Benjamin Sisko: I wouldn’t worry about it. There are plenty more to choose from.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 7: Episode 25 – “What You Leave Behind”
Leading up to the premiere of Avengers: Age of Ultron, SHIELD gave us a big episode which tied into current events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without losing sight of the progression of the show and its characters. Last week gave us a tense showdown between HYDRA, Coulson’s team, and Cal/Skye/Lincoln as a result of Ward teaming up with Coulson, and left Mike and Lincoln captives of HYDRA. This week brought some big changes, including a reunion of our core six characters, some surprisingly dark turns, some of the best action we’ve seen on the show yet, and more than one death. So let’s jump into “The Dirty Half Dozen,” written by Brent Fletcher and Drew Z. Greenberg and directed by Kevin Tancharoen.
The Love Pirate 