Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (HYDRA) Season 4 episode 17 review - Identity and Change

Identity and Change

I honestly can’t think of a more fitting title for this episode

Just as I hoped, this episode stopped with the bumbling around and instead focused on an actual plot. Daisy and Simmons are introduced to the new S.H.I.E.L.D./Resistance and head out to find Radcliffe all the while HYDRA are closing in around them as Fitz has made it his mission to bring them down for his Madame HYDRA, who I’m still calling AIDA because these multiple names for the same character will get confusing.

By now, I think it’s clear not all of them are leaving the framework willingly. Coulson seems willing and Mack and Mace might be convinced but Fitz and May… they’re not coming willingly, are they?  

OK, so we kinda remember what Mack’s regret was, the death of his daughter, who in the Framework he’s nicknamed sparkplug because of course he has, they try to keep out of HYDRA's way but because of reasons that I’m not even sure I completely understand (it could be to do with the drone but they were already involved with a search at that point) HYDRA kidnap them as part of a convoluted plot for May to expose Daisy as a traitor and worse as an inhuman candidate.

Mack probably got the best of everyone in the Framework, he was leading the life he wanted to until Daisy and Simmons got involved and ruined everything for him. Radcliffe got a regret erased too but more of his doing outside the Framework, he saved Agnes by putting her in the framework and now they’re living a peaceful life together having made an agreement with AIDA. Unfortunately, the arrival of Simmons has made everything worse as AIDA was quickly alerted and her and a HYDRA team are dispatched.

I suppose now is as a good a time to mention Mace, who is somehow an inhuman, not sure what regret is erased, does not being an inhuman count as a regret? Either way, Mace is the head of the resistance. As for Ward, there’s plenty more of Simmons not trusting Ward, given their history and it heads both ways as she doesn’t reveal the whole truth about the Framework and has to watch Fitz kill Agnes in possibly the most tragic moment for the character. God knows what regret Fitz had reversed but…

Hope shines brightest in the Dark but with 1 member lost, both Coulson and Mack are now a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the story is to continue for at least another episode or 2.

Rating 8/10