If "The Blitzkrieg Button" was all about setup, "The Iron Ceiling" was all about payoff. Peggy finally got to go on an official mission from the SSR by deciphering a Russian code from the mysterious typewriter and having the right connections in the form of the Howling Commandos.
This scene was the most nuanced depiction of her challenges to prove herself. As her chief said, he's in a no win scenario when it comes to her: she dies, he's to blame, she lives and a man dies, he's still to blame. But he also has a case to solve and wants to use the best resources at his disposal. Once Carter proved she's that resource, he bypassed Thompson's objections to send them both.
This episode was really about getting into the psyche of Agent Thompson. He's been the lead jeermaster when it comes to Carter and Sousa, easily fitting the stereotype of the all American alpha male without tolerance for anyone not up to his privileged standards. Once in combat though, Thompson shows he (and by proxy, those from men he seems to represent) is far more than meets the eye.
Instead of the "good fight" in Europe, Thompson faced the more complicated slog of Japan, and bares the hidden scars of an action he was rewarded for but which preys upon his conscience. Despite his objections to bringing Carter he quickly adjusted and refused to put pettiness upon military efficiency once in the field, proving he's able to see her as more than the girl who brings coffee. Both Carter and Thompson gained new respect for each other through their shared combat.
Even in as action-packed episode as this one proved to be, we actually got solid character development from nearly the entire ensemble. The chief proved that he's more than just a hard nose: he truly cares about getting to the bottom of things, as revealed by his continued digging and refusal to take easy answers. There wasn't much of Jarvis since the majority of the show took place in Russia, but when he showed up he presented a man torn by his devotion to Howard Stark and his admiration and loyalty to Carter (not to mention he's learning to avoid his tell). Agent Sousa continued his awesome detective work aided unintentionally by the crass behavior of his colleagues in what looks like an excellent setup for his character tonight.
The Commandos provided much of the comic relief of the episode, not just for the audience but for Carter. They're a group she can relax around without fear that she won't be taken seriously, and their deference to her gave us a glimpse into what she must be missing back in New York.
Speaking of the Big Apple, the enigmatic Dotty used Carter's absence to snoop on her hallmate via some stolen keys. Even more layers were revealed via the A plot, proving that she is indeed a Russian spy trained in a secret program designed to infiltrate the United States. I thought Dotty would find Captain America's blood, but instead her focus was on the Stark weapons. Her discovery of Carter's photographs will definitely challenge the gains she made this go round, priming everyone for what looks to be an explosive episode tonight.
My one complaint was the lack of Angie the snarky dinette, but I have high hopes for her return soon. This show just keeps getting better and better, and I can not wait to find out what new adventures lay in store for everyone.
Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to actor Jared Gertner, who I first saw on the little musical theatre web series Submissions Only. It's good to know Randall's moved on from making Equity to breaking into television.
