I have to admit that I didn't think I would like Marvel's Agent Carter when they announced that it would air during the winter hiatus of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. I knew I was going to watch it because it could potentially contribute to fleshing out even more of the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe, but I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did after watching its first two seasons.
At the end of World War II, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) finds herself in New York as part of the Strategic Scientific Research (SSR). The agency is tasked to investigate and solve crimes relating to strange events, whether it be powered individuals or inexplicable tech. Although her title is that of an agent, Peggy is constantly thrust in the role of glorified secretary, surrounded by men who think that women have no place in the more dangerous or even intelligent aspects of their agency.
In the first season, Peggy navigates her way in the masculine centered workplace of SSR, with many co-workers thinking that her achievements in the war is limited to being Captain America's love interest. Chief among those who are quick to discriminate her are Chief Roger Dooley (Shea Whigham) and Agent Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray). Agent Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj) is the most sympathetic of her co-workers, but is also ridiculed for his limp sustained during the war. To top everything off, Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) has been accused of treason when his inventions are used by terrorist groups, and asks Peggy to help him clear his name. He tasks his butler Edwin Jarvis (James D'Arcy) to assist her, and they attempt to figure out and thwart the plans of the mysterious entity known as Leviathan.
The succeeding season features Peggy and her adventures in LA, when new East Coast Chief Jack Thompson sends her to assist on a case headed by the also-promoted West Coast Chief Daniel Sousa. A serial killing investigation is linked to research facility Isodine Energy, where Jason Wilkes (Reggie Austin) is part of a team working on Zero Matter. Whitney Frost (Wynn Everett), a famous Hollywood actress married to Isodine Energy owner Calvin Chadwick (Currie Graham), is actually a brilliant scientist who plans to use Zero Matter to gain power. Through her husband, she uses the influence of the Council of Nine to enact her plans. Meanwhile, Vernon Masters (Kurtwood Smith) manipulates Jack Thompson to work in favor of the Council, including putting a halt on the investigation on Russian spy Dottie Underwood (Bridget Regan).
It didn't take long for me to love Agent Carter. In the capable hands of Hayley Atwell, the character of Peggy Carter was beautifully portrayed. It's easy to empathize in her struggles, both in fighting bad guys and in fighting against gender discrimination in the work place. Which is why every fight won, whether physical or verbal in nature, deserves much cheering. Hayley Atwell successfully conveys both of Peggy's strengths and vulnerabilities, and it isn't hard to believe in Peggy's abilities as a spy.
I have to admit that much of my reservations regarding Agent Carter is the time period depicted in the series. It's a time rife in discrimination and, for some reason, I always associate it with neutral or boring backdrops. But Peggy Carter provides literal color to the scene, partnering pops of color (that hat!) with her arresting personality. And the very social failings I never enjoyed watching became mere hurdles that Peggy would gamely jump over. If a direct action or verbal beating is not an option at the moment, Peggy would just square her shoulders and work through it. It's not hard to love Peggy Carter, and loving her means loving every part of the world she lives in, even if it can get ugly or unfair at times.
Agent Carter boasts a great cast, but it's James D'Arcy's Jarvis (who we should all assume is the model for the same named AI who assists Tony Stark/Iron Man) who is the most prominent. He is a mixture of awkward and reliable, and while many of the series's light moments are centered around him, the friendship that blossomed between Peggy and Jarvis is definitely not a source of comedy. It's refreshing that the most tender, emotional moments feature a man and a woman who only have love and respect for each other without being colored by the burden of romance. Sometimes, there are stories that rely too heavily on the romantic angle, and I'm glad that, while Peggy is deserving of love, her capability as a central character doesn't really need the validation of a romantic relationship. No, this woman is definitely not just Captain America's girlfriend. And Jarvis, even in the most trying of their time together, is the best kind of friend that Peggy Carter needs in her life.
It's true that skipping out on watching Agent Carter will not in any way affect your overall appreciation of the MCU, but it's not something you should miss just because of that. It features solid, albeit slightly unevenly paced, storytelling, and the cast is stellar. The action and adventure elements are spot on, but it also packs an emotional punch.
I don't know if there will be a third season of Agent Carter, especially since it suffers from low ratings despite critical acclaim. I pray it doesn't get canceled or it finds a new home in another network or media platform. Because, really... we need women like Peggy in our lives. Or, at the very least, on our TV.
Happy viewing!!Labels: ABC, Action, Adventure, Agent Carter, Drama, Marvel, Must-Watch, Period, Superhero, TV, TV Series
