“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” 3.13: “Parting Shot”

 

The second half of the third season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D has been kinda slow. It’s focused on the politics surrounding the Inhuman crisis, with a few ass-kicking scenes thrown in the mix (thank God for Ming-Na Wen). That’s not to say this season hasn’t had its enjoyable moments, but we haven’t had any big shocks or tear inducing scenes.

Well, this episode certainly changed that.

This episode was as shocking as one of Lincoln’s lightning bolts. The episode starts with Bobbi and Hunter locked in interrogation rooms and charged with murder. We find out the missing pieces through a series of flashbacks which details how they managed to stop the assassination of the Russian Prime Minister by his opposition which, of course, had an Inhuman on their team.

There was plenty of action in the episode, with Bobbi and Hunter taking out a group of heavily armed Russian militia and a semi-ridiculous fight with a corporeal shadow. Yes, this show goes too far sometimes; no, I don’t care right now. And that’s because all of this added up to Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) and Hunter (Nick Blood) leaving the team. Yup, that’s right. The spy goddess and the team’s favorite verbal punching bag are gone.

Now, I knew they would be leaving at some point in the season to film the spin-off “Marvel’s Most Wanted.” Yet as prepared as I thought I was, the efforts of the writers, director, and cast left me crying the most tears I have for this show since Trip died. After building up Bobbi and Hunter’s relationship, and the sacrifices to that relationship they made for their job (heavy-handed, I know) I had an idea that this would be the last time we saw Bobbi and Hunter with the team. And when they told Coulson their choice to leave S.H.I.E.L.D., it was a bittersweet decision. All that would have been fine. I could have moved on.

But of course, the team hadn’t said their goodbyes yet, and “said” isn’t even the right word. And this is what truly made the episode special. Instead of a tearful goodbye filled with hugs that would have been too sappy even for me, the team gave Bobbi and Hunter a “spy’s goodbye.” Sitting at a bar, Bobbi and Hunter were talking about what they’ll do with their lives now, when a drink arrived at their table. They turned to see Jemma sitting in a booth. Then another drink came and there was Fitz. This continued until all of the team, even May, who has always had a strained relationship with Hunter, sent over a shot. Each member then left, no longer being able to talk to their disavowed ex-teammates, with only a sad smile as a final farewell.

They should have saved those shots for me to drown my sorrows in.

Superlatives:

Best Actress: Adrianne Palicki for Bobbi’s reaction to thinking Hunter would be killed

Best Actor: Nick Blood for Hunter’s reaction to thinking Hunter would be killed

Best Scene: Take a wild guess

Best lines: Interpol Agent: “In another time we would have found you three feet below the ice, if we found you at all. You must have something to say for yourself.”

Bobbi: “I’d like a cheeseburger. Medium. With cheddar cheese. Ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and tomato. And some curly fries. Crispy.”

Interpol Agent: “I have to say I have never encountered someone like you.”

Hunter: “Thank you.”

Interpol Agent: “Someone who has the ability to spout such nonsense with such ease.”

Coulson: “You want to assassinate a former member of the world council on Russian soil knowing that if we get caught or our actions are tied to the US government in any way that it will be an act of war?”

Hunter: “So you’re saying…”

Fitz: “Pretty sure that’s a no.”

Coulson: “It’s a big no.”

Interpol: “State your full name for the record.”

Hunter: “Amadeus Ravenclaw Hunter.”

Daisy: “The letter that looks like New Hampshire with legs; that’s D right?”

Hunter: “I’d take a bullet for any one of you. Not for the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo on the wall. For you.”