I appreciate how this shows how much of a survivor Deke is. He's learning to be a good SHIELD agent and he has sick a big heart now that he has found his family, but he always has that dystopian-future survivor spirit. I like that they stayed true to his character that way.
On First Watch I really enjoyed this episode because of all the 80s nostalgia but it didn't really feel like it fit in to storytelling of the season. Then it was pointed out that this whole episode was framed as Deke's account of events ( which I hadn't taken into consideration) and that just makes it make perfect sense and fit in perfectly.
Yup, basically he's bullshitting what happened. The general events probably happened but they're massively played up and as you say in his voice. It's just a bit of fun anyway though so :)
Mack made 2 references to the 1986 horror B-movie Chopping Mall in season 4 so I watched it. Didn’t expect it to pay off with an entire homage episode where the robots and plot look very similar
Yeah. The writer of this episode wanted to have an homage to Chopping Mall. Someone online has shown specific comparisons of scenes between the film and this ep. And then tons of other 80s references: War Games computer font for title card, A-Team style intro to Deke Squad, Phil “Max Headroom” Coulson, and others. It isn’t my favorite ep (I know it’s Deke’s point of view, but a little too over the top for me). The dramatic stuff made me like Deke a lot more (don’t hate him - he’s just a bit much), but he is still my least favorite character on the show.
@@meredithchandler73 My favorite (often overlooked) 80s reference is the house that "baby" Mac and his brother are growing up in. It's the McFly's house from Back to the Future.
If you notice in the background of the command center, one of the neon signs on the wall is a jumping shark that they bring into focus during the handshake
This is one of those episodes that is just a good laugh with heartfelt moments in between. Also cost saving. Not the best of shield but very entertaining for what it was. Glad you enjoyed it.
This episode had such a different tone than the rest of the season so far, but the ridiculously over the top blood splatters and 80’s everything made it wildly entertaining. The humor reminded me of Cabin in the Woods, and I will always love an opportunity for Mack to share his hatred of robots. He took out a special policy on his insurance for death by robots because of it 🤣 I think the best think about stranding Mack and Deke for 20 months was giving Mack legit time to process his grief, because it would have been a hard pill to swallow if we saw him back in charge acting like he was able to work through losing his parents. Especially since they were still alive in the OG timeline, Reuben had said he moved them into a condo in “Watchdogs” when we saw their childhood home.
The absolute key thing to remember in this episode is, it's Deke telling the story. Compare Deke's Framework version of Daisy to actual Daisy for instance - Deke is the show's ultimate unreliable narrator. So did Mack have a hard time getting over his parents ? For sure. But did he fall apart quite as much as we see here, so much so that heroic Deke has to be almost preternaturally patient and understanding with him for months and months ? Probably not (for one thing, as Deke tells it Mack let himself go and stopped trimming his beard but apparently kept right on shaving his head :).
9:29 - AoS specializes in taken characters you either feel attachment or anemosity for and turning arounf (RIP Jaco!): Actually had sympathy for Nathaniel in season 3 as he was double-crossed by his own brother and sent to his death) but now he has become the most reviled and dreaded vilain in AoS history (Not a small task when you think of the long list of great vilains we've had on this show!)
I thought Lincoln’s problem was more with the writing than the actor. He didn’t have the best chemistry with Chloe but I think that Lincoln would have been a better character if he was written to be more interesting.
I appreciate how this shows how much of a survivor Deke is. He's learning to be a good SHIELD agent and he has sick a big heart now that he has found his family, but he always has that dystopian-future survivor spirit. I like that they stayed true to his character that way.
This episode climb up my favorites the more I think of it. It's OK to admit it's way better than it should be.
On First Watch I really enjoyed this episode because of all the 80s nostalgia but it didn't really feel like it fit in to storytelling of the season. Then it was pointed out that this whole episode was framed as Deke's account of events ( which I hadn't taken into consideration) and that just makes it make perfect sense and fit in perfectly.
Yup, basically he's bullshitting what happened. The general events probably happened but they're massively played up and as you say in his voice. It's just a bit of fun anyway though so :)
5:32 Damn, that line was so uncalled for even you were hurt Jimmy! 🤣
Mack made 2 references to the 1986 horror B-movie Chopping Mall in season 4 so I watched it. Didn’t expect it to pay off with an entire homage episode where the robots and plot look very similar
Yeah. The writer of this episode wanted to have an homage to Chopping Mall. Someone online has shown specific comparisons of scenes between the film and this ep. And then tons of other 80s references: War Games computer font for title card, A-Team style intro to Deke Squad, Phil “Max Headroom” Coulson, and others. It isn’t my favorite ep (I know it’s Deke’s point of view, but a little too over the top for me). The dramatic stuff made me like Deke a lot more (don’t hate him - he’s just a bit much), but he is still my least favorite character on the show.
@@meredithchandler73 My favorite (often overlooked) 80s reference is the house that "baby" Mac and his brother are growing up in. It's the McFly's house from Back to the Future.
@@matthewwilliams2093 NO WAY! I totally didn't catch that!
If you notice in the background of the command center, one of the neon signs on the wall is a jumping shark that they bring into focus during the handshake
This is one of those episodes that is just a good laugh with heartfelt moments in between.
Also cost saving.
Not the best of shield but very entertaining for what it was.
Glad you enjoyed it.
This episode had such a different tone than the rest of the season so far, but the ridiculously over the top blood splatters and 80’s everything made it wildly entertaining. The humor reminded me of Cabin in the Woods, and I will always love an opportunity for Mack to share his hatred of robots. He took out a special policy on his insurance for death by robots because of it 🤣
I think the best think about stranding Mack and Deke for 20 months was giving Mack legit time to process his grief, because it would have been a hard pill to swallow if we saw him back in charge acting like he was able to work through losing his parents. Especially since they were still alive in the OG timeline, Reuben had said he moved them into a condo in “Watchdogs” when we saw their childhood home.
This episode was a ton of wacky fun and I LOVED it. :D
That Nathaniel douche has got to go. Deke for MVP the episode! Loved all the 80's references!
The absolute key thing to remember in this episode is, it's Deke telling the story. Compare Deke's Framework version of Daisy to actual Daisy for instance - Deke is the show's ultimate unreliable narrator.
So did Mack have a hard time getting over his parents ? For sure. But did he fall apart quite as much as we see here, so much so that heroic Deke has to be almost preternaturally patient and understanding with him for months and months ? Probably not (for one thing, as Deke tells it Mack let himself go and stopped trimming his beard but apparently kept right on shaving his head :).
9:29 - AoS specializes in taken characters you either feel attachment or anemosity for and turning arounf (RIP Jaco!): Actually had sympathy for Nathaniel in season 3 as he was double-crossed by his own brother and sent to his death) but now he has become the most reviled and dreaded vilain in AoS history (Not a small task when you think of the long list of great vilains we've had on this show!)
Can't wait to see your reactions to these 2 & last nights 👍😎
It wasn’t my favorite episode but it wasn’t bad either. It’s a pallet cleanser and it’s pretty creative.
You liked Lincoln?
He's the 1 character/actor I thought was garbage 😎
I thought Lincoln’s problem was more with the writing than the actor. He didn’t have the best chemistry with Chloe but I think that Lincoln would have been a better character if he was written to be more interesting.