I know it's not going to be fair comparing Agent Carter to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. because they are fundamentally different shows, but it's amazing how different they are from each other despite sharing a universe. The key overall difference is in tone. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is more subdued and dark, almost as if the characters are teetering on the brink of the end of the world. Agent Carter, on the other hand, is loud, brash, and altogether fun.

It's a cliche, but fitting: This show/mini-series hits the ground running and doesn't really pause to ponder what might happen next. It moves on with a purpose. There is no waiting because the show dives into the plot immediately. It's unlike any pilot in recent history simply because this doesn't feel like a pilot episode. It rather feels like a television extension of a Marvel film mixed within the fabric of a larger universe that is yet to occur.


The tone is set by Agent Carter herself. Not because she was probably the best thing about Captain America: The First Avenger; Not because Hayley Atwell is absolutely gorgeous (though that's an asset the show continually highlights and uses very well), but because Agent Carter acts as the lead character on a show bearing her name. Atwell owns the role from the very start. Plus what also helps is the relatively simple, straightforward plot to operate from. It's something that is practically formula with Marvel properties nowadays: Carter has to chase down various different MacGuffins to keep it out of the hands of the enemy.

The MacGuffins are the rather dangerous inventions of Howard Stark that have been stolen from him and are being sold on the black market. The SSR thinks that Stark is a traitor selling all of his toys to the highest bidder. It's up to Agent Carter to find out the truth, which means that she's working against the very agency that she is supposed to work with. This does give her an opportunity to show off her various spy skills in a few solid action/spy scenes. She looks great in a blonde wig and shimmering nightgown as she sashays into the office mobster Spider Raymond to retrieve said MacGuffin. Atwell handles everything thrown at her very well. There's cheeky humor and wit in the performance and great restraint in the more dramatic scenes.



One of the great things about this series is that it feels very cinematic without being so beholden to the first Captain America film. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. feels lumbering precisely because there are times when it can only look and operate like a TV show. Plus, it's still struggling to stand out from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The production design of this series adds to the fun all-retro feel. The series is largely unencumbered by the urge to "fit in" with the rest of the Marvel Universe. It is free to create and develop relationships for Agent Carter, such as the one with her roomate Colleen or her developing friendships with Edwin Jarvis out in the field and Agent Sousa at the SSR office.





Indeed, the primary issue I had with this first episode is the overbearing quality of inherent sexism that runs rampant with the three SSR agents: Thompson, Krezminski, and Chief Dooley. Yes, it is a product of the times that the series is set in, but it isn't done with great subtlety. That lends a bit of a buffoonish quality to the agents. Thankfully, that's a relatively minor complaint to a very solid starting effort from this series.