Well, it’s the last episode before “Doctor Strange” is released in theaters, and “Agents of SHIELD” is certainly pulling no punches to make sure viewers are biting their nails.
“The Good Samaritan” revealed the origin of Ghost Rider as Robbie explained his past to his brother Gabe. Coulson and company make a breakthrough with Lucy Bauer’s plan while Mace grew more suspicious of Coulson.
We’re barely five episodes into season 4 and we’ve already had a major cliffhanger that harkens back to Daisy’s Terrigenesis from season 2. By episode’s end, Eli Morrow, Robbie’s uncle, reveals himself to be the grand puppet master of the Momentum accident and recreates the experiment with Coulson, Fitz and Robbie caught in the crossfire, making them disappear (?). Obviously, the trio aren’t dead, but with a big “Doctor Strange” tie in coming and a rumor that a major Marvel character will come to the TV world, is it a stretch to assume that Strange himself will save the day?
The rest of the episode was focused on Ghost Rider’s origin in flashback. We now know why Robbie is so protective of Gabe, having dragged him along for the car ride that put Gabe in a wheelchair. Also, another Ghost Rider arrived to transfer the power to Robbie, and all signs point to none other than Johnny Blaze. It’s cool that the show isn’t shying away from Ghost Rider’s history and, even if Blaze’s true face was unseen, it shows more layers to the Marvel Universe.
The only other, albeit brief, plot thread was Simmons being sent on a secret “mission” by Mace. The black cloak forced over her head doesn’t mean anything good, but much like Coulson and company, Simmons is not getting killed off… right?
And, for you Marvel aficionados, Roxxon Corporation was the dirty company from season 2 of “Daredevil.” At this point, SHIELD should shut the place down.
“The Good Samaritan” was a hell of a cliffhanger and a great episode on top of it. Well directed- that car flip!- well orchestrated and gripping from start to finish, this is the first real sign that season 4 is rocketing along.