For the first time in the history of the show, the Marvel studios has produced an entire episode of Agents of Shield hanging on the shoulders of one female character Jemma Simmons. At the end of season 2 of the show, we saw Simmons being swallowed by Black Obelisk and transporting her to a new planet in a different solar system through a wormhole or portal. The latest episode titled “4722 Hours” is dedicated to the survival story of Simmons under harsh conditions of this alien planet, and finally we learn about the hardships and suffering she had to endure to make it back to earth.
For the comic-book show like Agents of Shield, which heavily relies upon multiple storylines, high-octane action sequences and carrying huge expectations of fans of Marvel universe, it takes a lot of guts and risk-taking ability to come out with an episode like this one. It was one of the most gut-wrenching, pulsating and emotionally satisfying episode you will ever see. Elizabeth Henstridge, who plays Jemma has always been under-utilized, but this episode has given her meaty material and does justice to her acting potential. A whole character arc of Simmons can be seen in this audacious journey, from optimism to melancholy to hopelessness about returning to the Earth ever. Finally, the portal opened by Fitz with the assistance of Skye’s inhuman powers and he brought Simmons back to planet Earth. But she is left deeply scarred and struggle to come to terms with it.
The show-makers have used flashback as a narrative device, mastered by shows like Arrow on CW network. It will remind you of a movie “127 Hours”, an Oscar nominated survival movie starring James Franco and directed by Danny Boyle.
