# Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D S01E03: The Asset (Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 9, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743 "2013-10-09T02:49:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/101 "2013-10-13T14:33:21Z")
I remember the first few episodes of _Dollhouse_. Each episode centered around Echo’s “mission” of the week, but other things were happening around the edges, too. Then came Episode Six, which was BIG, in terms of changing the game, shifting the viewpoint, etc. Hoping for something like this from this show. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/102 "2013-10-13T15:27:11Z")
_Entertainment Weekly_ had the show on it’s cover shortly before the series premiered. There wasn’t a lot about the show itself in it, but there was an interview with Whedon, and he did mention that everybody in the show has a secret. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/103 "2013-10-13T18:06:06Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Am I the last person to realize that Rising Tide = HYDRA? I called it in my first post to the original thread on the show. Unless it turns out to be wrong, in which case I disavow any knowledge of ever having made such a post. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/104 "2013-10-13T21:04:45Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > It’s still not a _great_ show, (PLEASE find a way to distinguish Fitz-Simmons other than by gender, or kill one off) but I’m still enjoying it. Accent? I think the gag is that they are a package deal. Good grief, your character expectations are so narrow! ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/105 "2013-10-13T21:27:57Z")
He’s inattentive and self-focused. She’s observant, and she likes the world she sees. Is there some personal history between Coulson and Ming-na? Or is it ‘simply’ professional? ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/106 "2013-10-14T19:11:41Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Accent? Hair color? Height? I was hoping for something more substantial. Besides, like a lot of clueless yanks, I have trouble telling one British accent from another, even after years of watching British TV and movies. > [@](#): > > I think the gag is that they are a package deal. Good grief, your character expectations are so narrow! Sure, it’s a fine gag, but the gag grows old if that’s all there is. They aren’t clones of one another. There’s got to be something to fill in the blanks of “the \_\_\_ one and the \_\_\_\_ one” other than male and female. On an unrelated note, I find it a bit odd that the show is called Agents of SHIELD, but we’re mainly seeing Agents of a small rag-tag newly-formed unit of SHIELD. Maybe I missed it, but is there a name for Coulson’s crew? Calling them like Unit 52 or Unit Epsilon or the Bus Crew something would help differentiate this group of agents from SHIELD as a whole. Obviously Fury and Hill are out there leading their own teams and SHIELD is a much larger organization than we’re seeing. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/107 "2013-10-14T19:19:52Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Sure, it’s a fine gag, but the gag grows old if that’s all there is. They aren’t clones of one another. There’s got to be something to fill in the blanks of “the \_\_\_ one and the \_\_\_\_ one” other than male and female. He’s the gadgeteer, and she’s the, uh, I’m not entirely sure what she is. (Someone above mentioned “biologist”, but I don’t remember this being an important plot point in the way that his creation of various gadgets has been important). ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/108 "2013-10-14T19:26:49Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Into what? Lava…or the sun. Your choice. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/109 "2013-10-14T19:31:20Z")
Correction to a previous post that might be misleading: **AoS** has been picked up for the _remainder of this season_, not renewed for next season already. So saying they’ve been renewed for “another season” is in error. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/110 "2013-10-14T19:32:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > He’s the gadgeteer, and she’s the, uh, I’m not entirely sure what she is. (Someone above mentioned “biologist”, but I don’t remember this being an important plot point in the way that his creation of various gadgets has been important). She figured out what was up with Mike Peters in the pilot (the Extremis knock-off) and came up with the substance they shot him with in the train station. And she puts up with Fitz’s obsession with monkeys… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/111 "2013-10-14T20:29:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Someone above mentioned “biologist”, but I don’t remember this being an important plot point in the way that his creation of various gadgets has been important But her biology background could become a major plotpoint as Coulson’s resurrection story develops. Maybe she’s on the team to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t start eating brains. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/112 "2013-10-14T21:12:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But her biology background could become a major plotpoint as Coulson’s resurrection story develops. Maybe she’s on the team to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t start eating brains. Fine, then keep her and change her specialty to _SCIENCE!!!_ --then kill Fitz. Quickly and messily so there’s no DNA for clones later. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/113 "2013-10-14T21:25:08Z")
As mentioned above, their technobable is simultaneously expository and incomprehensible. It’s handwavingly fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/114 "2013-10-14T22:11:21Z")
> [@tripthicket](#): > > I remember the first few episodes of _Dollhouse_. Each episode centered around Echo’s “mission” of the week, but other things were happening around the edges, too. That was network interference > [@](#): > > Then came Episode Six, which was BIG, in terms of changing the game, shifting the viewpoint, etc. and that was Joss finally being allowed to Joss the show up. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/115 "2013-10-14T23:14:48Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > That was network interference Which we should all be grateful for. The original pilot for Dollhouse (that Whedon came up with on his own) was incomprehensible and really, just plain bad. The pilot we got was ten times better. Without the interference, I don’t think Dollhouse would have stayed on the air long enough to get to episode six. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/116 "2013-10-14T23:19:07Z")
The show is being shown in Britain the same week as in the USA. FitzSimmons are there to play to the British audience, who might otherwise get sick of incomprehensible Yank muttering or something. 😉 Seriously, relax. I’d hate to see them killed off because they a) have accents oh no, and b) don’t fit into narrow preconceptions of what an action show needs. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/117 "2013-10-14T23:24:18Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > Seriously, relax. I’d hate to see them killed off because they a) have accents oh no, and b) don’t fit into narrow preconceptions of what an action show needs. If one is killed off, it won’t be because of the accents. It will be because they have two. And one is a pretty girl. So sorry Fitz, your death is nigh. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/118 "2013-10-15T00:12:07Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > The show is being shown in Britain the same week as in the USA. FitzSimmons are there to play to the British audience, who might otherwise get sick of incomprehensible Yank muttering or something. 😉 It’s rare enough to get a British\* actor on a US show to speak in their genuine accent, so it’s nice to see it happen. Or at least it was rare until very very recently, as it’s now become a trend. \*_Or Australian or New Zealand_ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/119 "2013-10-15T01:37:31Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > It’s rare enough to get a British\* actor on a US show to speak in their genuine accent, so it’s nice to see it happen. Is she speaking with her genuine accent? Elizabeth Henstridge is from Yorkshire but somebody posted that Simmons speaks with a London accent. I’ll admit I can’t tell the difference between a North England and a South England accent. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743/120 "2013-10-15T02:06:53Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Is she speaking with her genuine accent? Elizabeth Henstridge is from Yorkshire but somebody posted that Simmons speaks with a London accent. I’ll admit I can’t tell the difference between a North England and a South England accent. I hear the North in some of her words, but it’s not strong so she may be suppressing it somewhat. It’s quite common for British actors to have to temper their accent to something more London-ish, much like Americans often end up with a Los Angeles accent as a neutral default. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e03-the-asset-spoilers/670743.md?page=7)