‘Agents of SHIELD’ season 4, episode 7 review: The new Ghost Rider; Aida’s rise
Meet the new Ghost Rider, DEFINITELY not the same as the old Ghost rider.
There were a wide array of different surprises at the center of Tuesday night’s new episode of “Agents of SHIELD,” but we have a feeling that one of the biggest ones in the eyes of many viewers would be seeing Mack make a deal of his own with the Spirit of Vengeance, suddenly finding himself in the position where the Rider was within him. This was exciting, but to go along with that, we also had things intensify further as we saw the full extent of Robbie Reyes’ own desperation.
The good news for Robbie was the same as the good news for Coulson and Fitz: Somehow, he managed to survive the cavalcade of terrible stuff that was initiated in part by Eli Morrow. He made it to the other side! However, he realized that Eli was now out there effectively capable of transforming matter, and he could use that to bring about the destruction of anyone who stood in his path. With that, he was willing to offer Vengeance a deal: Return to him, and if he helped him to unsure that he stopped his uncle once and for all, he would help the spirit get vengeance of his own until his work was done. It was a powerful moment, and yet another sacrifice Robbie was willing to make given we know how much the Spirit of Vengeance is a curse on his soul.
Fitz’s rage – Meanwhile, we saw this character out for his own sort of vengeance towards Jeffrey Mace, blaming him and his decisions for Simmons’ current predicament on a mission that went terrible awry. We saw what was potentially the birth of an Inhuman in Senator Nadeer’s brother, who certainly seemed well aware as to who Jemma is. However, the feeling is not exactly mutual, is it?
The rise of Aida – There’s been a tricky moral dilemma from the start with the Darkhold, namely in terms of how much it should be used, and also who should be responsible for having it. Ultimately, what we saw here in the end was the bold decision being made to allow Radcliffe’s android the opportunity to seize some of its power, which she was in turn able to use in order to execute some heroics. However, at the same time there is some cause for concern here given that she could go a little crazy with all of that power and become effectively this show’s version of Ultron.
Do we want that to happen? While it would be interesting to see Aida turn even, at the same exact time we’ve already seen that. We’d like to see her as more of a sovereign sage, if you will, someone who is valuable and simultaneously separate from Radcliffe in a way that she was not previously.
Our overall take – Most of the Ghost Rider action was incredible as expected, with it all leading in the end to some pretty important reveals. Seeing Mack embody the character briefly was fun, and the sacrifice Robbie made was all the more poignant because he knew what it was like to suffer with it. As for the Aida twist, let’s just call that effective for now. Episode Grade: B+.
Next week – If you want to get a tease for what is coming up next on the ABC show, be sure to head over to the link here! (Photo: ABC.)