TV Recap: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1-16 - End of the Beginning

Wow, things are definitely getting interesting.  We're building toward a climax of the season in typical Joss Whedon fashion.  Everything from here on out in important.

And yet, I feel like tonight's episode can be summed up rather quickly.  We'll see if I'm right or not.

A big development - Skye became an official part of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Everyone on the team is happy and proud of her.

And she needed it, too.  Coulson's new idea was to send out teams of two to various suspects who could be the Clairvoyant.  He wanted Skye to research these suspects and then randomly assign people to the teams - something she does with ease.

And they are able to track down the Clairvoyant.  That's thanks to John, the man from the pilot who has been turned into a killing machine.  He shows up a few times this episode, but the last time he does, he leads the team right to the Clairvoyant.

Who turns out to be a man connected to a computer and lots of tubes who can only talk through the computer.  S.H.I.E.L.D. thought he was a vegetable, but obviously he's not.  As he goads the team, Ward has enough and shoots him and spends the rest of the episode in the brigg on the plane for it.

However, Coulson thinks it was  bit too simple.  John lead them directly to his boss and didn't stay around to fight to protect him?  What if he was a plant - a distraction?  And Skye thinks that the Clairvoyant is someone on the inside, someone who is using SHIELD personnel files and their knowledge of missions to pretend to be clairvoyant.

Just about that time, Fitz discovers May's line to whoever she is reporting to.  Obviously proof that she is the spy.  Coulson and Skye confront her, but she tries to tell them it's not what they think.

About that time, the plane makes a sudden turn and starts flying on its own.  May's denials that she knows what is happening fall on deaf ears.

Unfortunately for the team, they are true.  The plane seems to be under the command of Agent Victoria Hand back at headquarters.  What she is really up to is anyone's guess.  She might even be the Clairvoyant.  All we know for sure is that she ordered everyone on the plane killed when it lands except Coulson.  Could it be up to Simmons, the only one not on board, to save the day?

Writing it out, it doesn't feel like much happened, but watching it, this felt like an action packed episode.  Next week looks amazing as well, so strap on because I have a feeling the rest of the season will be strong.