Coulson Lives.
But the question, based on the quality of the premiere of “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” is for just how long.
The show, the much-hyped, first TV offshoot of the monstrously successful Marvel cinematic universe that brought us “The Avengers” (et. al), places itself firmly in that world — yet is a mere shadow of it.
“S.H.I.E.L.D.” stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, the cult fave everyman who appears in the Marvel films as an aide-de-camp to Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. He (allegedly) was killed in the Avengers, though it’s revealed at the end of the film that his death (perhaps) was faked.
That little twist, in fact, is given new mystery early in the pilot when it’s revealed that Coulson’s resurrection may not be all it appears to be. But that’s fodder for the message boards.
The show itself, brought to you by maestro Joss Whedon, his brother Jed and his sister-in-law Maurissa Tancharoen, sadly, lacks the zippy charm of “The Avengers” – directed by Joss from his own screenplay — not to mention its best partner flicks “Iron Man,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” and even “Thor.”
For one thing, the pilot – which aims to make clear that superheroes are starting to crop up in a world that features shadowy Wikileaks-type intrigue – lacks any compelling characters. The de facto lead, Brett Dalton as Agent Grant Ward, exhibits as much charisma as Thor’s hammer.
It’s too bad because the show has a sound concept: A band of government agents without superpowers – working for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division – try to keep the bad guys in check in a world where superheroes and supervillains are proliferating.
But the script, by Joss, Jed and Tancharoen, with Joss directing, is a mite too pleased with itself. Joss Whedon has made a career of producing ensemble pieces with quirky characters in bizarre circumstances who are quick of wit. Here, the jokes seem off and the actors seem ill-suited to spout them.
Even Gregg’s Coulson, which through the Marvel films was alternately sinister, earnest and affable, is off-model, with a glibness that feels out of character. This Coulson doesn’t live up to the rabid “Coulson Lives” sloganeering among Avengers fans.
The best part of the show is when Ron Glass, best-known for “Barney Miller,” but who achieved cult status in Joss Whedon’s late, lamented “Firefly” – a show with real characters – arrives on screen as a S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist.
There are a lot of actors and actresses that have something special that came from nowhere. Why couldn’t Whedon and crew find one of them?
Given the stakes behind this show, it is likely to be given a long leash by ABC. And given the pedigree of the producers, there’s a fair chance of improvement.
There’s plenty of room for that.