T.A.H.I.T.I.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returned last night, bound and determined to break the period on my keyboard, with an episode entitled T.A.H.I.T.I. It was a pretty solid installment that picked things up right where they were left, with Skye at death's door.

As I expected, it was an episode all about Agent Coulson, wrestling with whether he should do to Skye what was done to him. I actually expected it to be more of a wrestle, and was a bit surprised at how gung ho he was to load Skye on the Resurrection Express. But in the end, we did get to where I thought things would go. Well, sort of... in the sense that Coulson suddenly had a change of heart and wanted to back out.

What I did not expect was what we learned about "T.A.H.I.T.I." I guess it stands for "Torso And Head Inside Tube, Interstellar." One of my comments a few months (but only a few episodes) back was that I was a bit disappointed that after all the implied buildup, Coulson's rebirth simply didn't have much to it. Turns out that's not the case. There's another story to tell, and I'm intrigued.

I'm also intrigued at the prospect of more appearances by Bill Paxton. His presence on the show was a wonderful addition, and I hear there are more in store. (His character also promised as much as he departed.) He's a useful blend of both Coulson and Ward -- witty commander and ass-kicker.

But I'm not at all intrigued by this week's end credits scene. Over the last few episodes, the show has gone full Marvel on these epilogues. It used to be these scenes often would be character moments that reflected on the earlier events of the episode. Now, like the post-credits scenes of a Marvel movie, they're just a future tease designed to make fanboys squeal while leaving everyone else scratching their heads. I refuse to scratch my head anymore over this stuff. I gathered we were dealing with someone from Asgard. It was clear that some people were meant to know who Lorelai is. I don't, and I don't care. Come back to me when you have an actual story to tell.

Still, an off-putting ending wasn't enough to sink an otherwise enjoyable episode. I give it a B+.