inspiration + perspiration = invention :: T. Edison ::
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I'm not happy that Agent Carter is only eight episodes long, but I am so glad that each of those episodes has been great. Every week's built on the previous one, laying the groundwork for new stories, new character drama, new brilliant moments. Last night knocked the socks off of it all.
Everything in last week's episode teased the idea that Carter was about to face the music when it came to her extra-agency work for Howard Stark. Agent Sousa (who, while second best agent at the SSR behind Carter, is definitely its best detective) identified her as the mysterious woman at the night club, and put aside any personal feelings to get the job done. But there was so much more revealed (plus offering one of the cleverest scene transition sound effects I've ever heard).
For starters, Leviathan finally came somewhat out of the shadows and moved. We've already seen the undercover agent Dottie in action. Last night the show setup some wonderful twists when it came to revealing who her partner here is, and how they're communicating now that the typewriter is in SSR hands. Not only did the scene play beautifully as dramatic irony, it also woke viewers up to the real danger everyone's in far beyond whether or not Stark is exonerated.
Jarvis and Carter got to team up again this week, a welcome return after their recent parting of ways. The wonderful thing about Carter as a character is her complete professionalism. She's not over the betrayal she feels toward Stark and Jarvis, nor is she without moments of doubt or fear. But she never lets the emotions get in the way of the mission. After her discoveries in Russia, Carter enlists Jarvis to help her track down what undercover Russian lady may have set Stark up in a wickedly comedic montage that broke up the tension, provided backstory, built more character moments, and moved the plot forward. This show, like its protagonist, is multitalented in all the right ways.
Sousa's investigation represents a real stroke of genius: we like him and cheer him on for finding the clues no one else saw, but we're dismayed by what it means for Carter. His timely discovery foiled a Leviathan agent's pass at the Chief, which is great, but he also knows not to underestimate Carter and nearly took her in. After all the riproaring fisticuffs Carter fought through to escape the other SSR agents (set to another great big band swing number), the confrontation between her and Sousa was soft and poignant, leaving me hungry for more.
Angie finally got to show her stuff when she helped her best friend out of a hard place, using her undiscovered acting talent to distract the SSR agents after Carter while she waited out on the window ledge. I've a real affection for her; as an aspiring actress myself, I can really relate to her complaints about auditions and breaking into the theatre world. She also plays off of Carter wonderfully. I hope we get to see more of her soon, but I'm glad she got to have such a featured role last night.
The finale left me breathless and on the edge of my seat, with next week primed to bring everything to the forefront. Carter's now aware of just who and what Leviathan is, but she appears to be without allies or resources to do anything about. Sousa, Thompson, and the Chief are all gunning for bear against her, and Dottie looks like she's suspiciously decided to make friendly with Angie in Carter's absence. If it were anyone else, I'd be super worried.
Luckily, if Agent Carter has proved anything thus far, it's that you should never count her out.