#toldja

This is a solid episode. I think this is the first time FitzSimmons is split up and we get to see them still act incredibly dependent on each other.

In this episode, 1x07, Fitz avoids the paranasal extraction out of disgust. In 5x07, Fitz doesn’t hesitate before removing the implant from Jemma’s ear.

In 1x07, Fitz asks Ward to ask in Russian what beers they have on tap. In 5x07, when Fitz, Jemma, and Daisy have reunited and make plans to swap stories, he says, “There will be pints.” 

In 1x07, Hand mentions Tahiti, and Coulson responds with the rote response, “It’s a magical place.” What I like about Coulson’s response in this episode is his frustration at responding so Pavlov-like. It’s starting to get to him, but he doesn’t want to show it in front of other agents. And this makes his call to find out about himself at the end of the episode very earned. In 2x07, the entire A storyline resolves around finding what made T.A.H.I.T.I. so magical. Not to mention the painting that literally had the words, “A Magical Place.” 

When Fitz asks Ward what’s happening and why they haven’t killed them yet, Ward says “they’re waiting for their boss. So before he gets here...”

The boss turns out to be Marta. And Ward is a victim of chauvinistic thinking. Which makes Ward in the Framework all the more delightful when he admonishes Coulson for assuming a guy got Ward into S.H.I.E.L.D. In the Framework, Agent Hand, the woman responsible for sending Ward and Fitz on this mission, recruited Ward.

In 1x07, Skye tells Coulson that “Simmons is seriously starting to unravel without Fitz.” In 4x07, Fitz certainly does start to unravel without Simmons... especially when he straight up explodes at Coulson for trusting a director who “sent her off God knows where.” 

In 1x07, Marta tells her subordinates to “get this man a drink” when Fitz fixes the power. In 2x07, the bartender gives Ward a "a bullet in the head” on the house. In 5x07, Jemma tells Fitz when they’re on the troller that she doesn’t know about him but she could really “use a drink right now.” In 6x07, after Izel rescues FitzSimmons, she tells them, “you like you could use a drink.” 

In 1x07, Fitz sarcastically calls Ward “Mr. Save-the-Day.” In 4x07, Radcliffe writes a blues song starting with “I saved the day.” 

In 1x07, Fitz tells Ward he obviously gets off on swooping in and saving the girl. This kind of language is the last of its kind once the episodes progress. I love how this show completely subverts that “save the girl” kind of rhetoric. For example, in 3x07, Daisy saves Rosalind. And May saves the rest of the team. In 4x07, Aida saves Fitz, Coulson, and Robbie. In 5x07, Daisy saves Flint. In 6x07, Izel saves Fitzsimmons.

It’s also funny because Fitz is so bent out of shape in this episode, but for most of the series, saving people, specifically Jemma, becomes a point of conflict for him and the rest of the team. 

When Skye decides to forgo continuing to search for her parents in order to look up Ward and Fitz’s mission, that decision becomes a quiet defining moment for her. She’s spent her most of her life searching for her parents, and the answers were right there. And still she chooses Ward and Fitz. 

Not to mention her conversation with Coulson when she adamantly says that she wants to be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. She wants this. And she wants this team. Her conviction is inspiring.

In 1x07, when Fitz and Ward get to the site, Fitz is scrambling around, trying to keep cool but failing to match Ward’s calm. In 5x07, Fitz is completely in control, on the run with Daisy and Jemma, keeping watch and readily armed. 

When Ward signals extraction and receives nothing in return, you can tell how disappointed he is. And then he becomes emotionless. It’s like... he was expecting to be let down by S.H.I.E.L.D. and uses that to fuel his secret agenda. They don’t care about him, so why should he care about them? But then when Fitz refuses to leave Ward’s side, he is touched. And starts to really see him as a brother. Which makes his psycho speech in “The Dirty Half Dozen” all the more amazing. He does care about Fitz in a twisted way. As many psychopaths are want to do.

In 1x07, Jemma tells Fitz she shot a superior officer in the chest. Fitz gives her a WTF look. In 6x07, Jemma alludes to "vapor trails” and “waves of euphoria” the last time she was in Kitson. Fitz gives her a WTF look.

In 1x07, Skye gives Coulson a very sweet hug after he tells her about a female S.H.I.E.L.D. agent that dropped her off at the orphanage. I love seeing Coulson’s expression shift from shock to muted affection. In 4x07, Fitz and Jemma fiercely embrace after being separated. In 5x07, the team has a sloppy group hug when both sides are reunited. in 6X07, Fitz gives Enoch a farewell hug.

Did everyone catch what Hand said when Coulson told her it should’ve been his call to make?

“I wasn’t sure you’d comply.” 

This is a very good episode and also a really funny one. It’s also stronger than the first five episodes in my opinion. But it really doesn’t hold a candle to “FZZT.”

FZZT

The Hub

Eye Spy

Pilot

Girl in the Flower Dress

The Asset

Daisy and Mack’s conversation: Daisy is the ultimate shipper. She doesn’t date anymore, she just ships her friends, and she ships them hard. I can relate.

Jemma Simmons: After everything, this can't possibly be how we come to an end. No one would believe it.