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Official Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Discussion (12/1/17 @8PM)
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I'm liking this season, so far
Damn Tonight's episode was the best ever!!!
The symmetry of this episode was absolutely beautiful.
The symmetry of this episode was absolutely beautiful.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reveals the scary side of the show's best love story
Liz Shannon Miller
Yesterday 8:00pm
Filed to: RECAP
21Save
Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker
Photo: ABC/Mitch Haaseth
TV ReviewsAll of our TV reviews in one convenient place.
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As members of the S.H.I.E.L.D team, especially in the early days, scientist sidekicks Simmons and Fitz always served a utilitarian purpose (“I’m engineering, she’s biochem”) to the narrative. But their six-season journey from friendship to romance has been one of the show’s most endearing qualities, even when the writers resorted to extreme methods to complicate their path to happiness — extreme measures which have led to no shortage of issues for their relationship, no matter how much they might love each other. (How many different marriage proposals have they racked up by now, seriously?)
“Inescapable,” therefore, is an exceedingly well-earned installment, and also perhaps a necessary one for both characters, as they have a lot of baggage to unpack, including perhaps the biggest suitcase to date: Jemma catching this new paradoxical Fitz up on what happened with the previous Fitz, including that whole getting married to her and then dying thing.
MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.SEASON 6
"Inescapable"
A-
EPISODE
6
This and other big secrets come out when Altarah, the Chronicom who previously arranged to reunite Fitz with Simmons so that together, they could crack the secret behind time travel, links up their brains using a “cerebrum fusion machine” (sure). The end result is that while initially happy about being reunited (including — you’re damn right — another marriage proposal), their prison of the mind ends up laying bare their inner demons, as personified by the return of Fitz’s Framework persona, “Leopold,” and Simmons’ pent-up “troubles,” which take the form of “an evil ringu monster that you keep in a box” (Fitz’s term).
There are some haunting moments that come as Fitz and Simmons confront the darker sides of their better halves: Consider Elizabeth Henstridge a lock for the role of Samara, should anyone ever want to do yet another remake of The Ring, though the relish with which she gnawed at Mack’s neck indicates that she’d also well in the zombie genre.
Given the “mind prison” concept, this could have been a far more surreal episode, as seen across many shows which have delivered trippier descents into a character’s mind (even 19 years later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Restless” remains hard to beat for its artistry). But while “Inescapable” doesn’t push too hard into visual trickery, there are still some well-executed transitions within the surreal mindscape Fitz and Simmons occupy here, especially Fitz climbing after Jemma’s seven-year-old self into her childhood bedroom.
And to be honest, the fact that director Jesse Bochco keeps things relatively simple plays to the episode’s advantage, because the spotlight thus stays firmly on Fitz and Simmons, characters that Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker have truly mastered both as individuals and as perhaps the show’s most essential relationship (with only May and Coulson in real competition, and who knows how this business with “Sarge” is going to affect things come future weeks).
Using flashbacks, as triggered by Fitz and Simmons’ memories, to integrate the rest of the main cast is a clever way to make sure everyone gets at least a little screen time, but what installments like this and Season 3's “4,722 Hours” prove is that De Caestecker and Henstridge (especially Henstridge) can easily command our attention for the full hour.
Ava Mireille, Iain De Caestecker
Photo: ABC/Mitch Haaseth
The pair’s chemistry has never been better than it is here, especially as the two of them confront each other in the containment pod, slinging their past histories at each other, and finally talking about all the unresolved drama between them, which eventually digs into one of the truest sentiments ever said by people in love: It can be a beautiful thing, but it brings with it a whole new level of vulnerability.
FitzSimmons, as they shout themselves back into synchronicity, declare it as follows: “All my damage comes from you!” “All my pain comes from you!” But then it’s back to the inevitable truth: “We’re obviously made for each other,” Simmons says. “A whole universe couldn’t keep me away from you,” Fitz once again admits.
The episode ends without Fitz and Simmons even really getting much of a chance to dig into inventing time travel — by the time they’ve resolved their personal issues (“that was five minutes and 33 seconds wasted,” Altarah complains) Enoch sets things up for their escape. Escape to where? Who knows. But, per the final scene, Daisy owes Mack $100, because while real peril for both the team and planet Earth loom on the horizon, FitzSimmons is truly back. Watch out, anyone who stands in their way.
Stray Observations
Liz Shannon Miller
Yesterday 8:00pm
Filed to: RECAP
21Save
Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker
Photo: ABC/Mitch Haaseth
TV ReviewsAll of our TV reviews in one convenient place.
PrevNextView All
As members of the S.H.I.E.L.D team, especially in the early days, scientist sidekicks Simmons and Fitz always served a utilitarian purpose (“I’m engineering, she’s biochem”) to the narrative. But their six-season journey from friendship to romance has been one of the show’s most endearing qualities, even when the writers resorted to extreme methods to complicate their path to happiness — extreme measures which have led to no shortage of issues for their relationship, no matter how much they might love each other. (How many different marriage proposals have they racked up by now, seriously?)
“Inescapable,” therefore, is an exceedingly well-earned installment, and also perhaps a necessary one for both characters, as they have a lot of baggage to unpack, including perhaps the biggest suitcase to date: Jemma catching this new paradoxical Fitz up on what happened with the previous Fitz, including that whole getting married to her and then dying thing.
MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.SEASON 6
"Inescapable"
A-
EPISODE
6
This and other big secrets come out when Altarah, the Chronicom who previously arranged to reunite Fitz with Simmons so that together, they could crack the secret behind time travel, links up their brains using a “cerebrum fusion machine” (sure). The end result is that while initially happy about being reunited (including — you’re damn right — another marriage proposal), their prison of the mind ends up laying bare their inner demons, as personified by the return of Fitz’s Framework persona, “Leopold,” and Simmons’ pent-up “troubles,” which take the form of “an evil ringu monster that you keep in a box” (Fitz’s term).
There are some haunting moments that come as Fitz and Simmons confront the darker sides of their better halves: Consider Elizabeth Henstridge a lock for the role of Samara, should anyone ever want to do yet another remake of The Ring, though the relish with which she gnawed at Mack’s neck indicates that she’d also well in the zombie genre.
Given the “mind prison” concept, this could have been a far more surreal episode, as seen across many shows which have delivered trippier descents into a character’s mind (even 19 years later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Restless” remains hard to beat for its artistry). But while “Inescapable” doesn’t push too hard into visual trickery, there are still some well-executed transitions within the surreal mindscape Fitz and Simmons occupy here, especially Fitz climbing after Jemma’s seven-year-old self into her childhood bedroom.
And to be honest, the fact that director Jesse Bochco keeps things relatively simple plays to the episode’s advantage, because the spotlight thus stays firmly on Fitz and Simmons, characters that Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker have truly mastered both as individuals and as perhaps the show’s most essential relationship (with only May and Coulson in real competition, and who knows how this business with “Sarge” is going to affect things come future weeks).
Using flashbacks, as triggered by Fitz and Simmons’ memories, to integrate the rest of the main cast is a clever way to make sure everyone gets at least a little screen time, but what installments like this and Season 3's “4,722 Hours” prove is that De Caestecker and Henstridge (especially Henstridge) can easily command our attention for the full hour.
Ava Mireille, Iain De Caestecker
Photo: ABC/Mitch Haaseth
The pair’s chemistry has never been better than it is here, especially as the two of them confront each other in the containment pod, slinging their past histories at each other, and finally talking about all the unresolved drama between them, which eventually digs into one of the truest sentiments ever said by people in love: It can be a beautiful thing, but it brings with it a whole new level of vulnerability.
FitzSimmons, as they shout themselves back into synchronicity, declare it as follows: “All my damage comes from you!” “All my pain comes from you!” But then it’s back to the inevitable truth: “We’re obviously made for each other,” Simmons says. “A whole universe couldn’t keep me away from you,” Fitz once again admits.
The episode ends without Fitz and Simmons even really getting much of a chance to dig into inventing time travel — by the time they’ve resolved their personal issues (“that was five minutes and 33 seconds wasted,” Altarah complains) Enoch sets things up for their escape. Escape to where? Who knows. But, per the final scene, Daisy owes Mack $100, because while real peril for both the team and planet Earth loom on the horizon, FitzSimmons is truly back. Watch out, anyone who stands in their way.
Stray Observations
- The comedy beats play well as a whole, but Leopold and Ringu!Jemma’s furious makeout scene is perhaps the most giggle-inducing moment of the episode, especially when played against FitzSimmons’ stunned reactions. “Didn’t know you liked that.” “Didn’t know you did that.”
- Effort was put into showcasing young Jemma’s childhood bedroom, including lots of science textbooks, science equipment, and a Jane Goodall poster (later called out by Fitz). The best element, however, was this adorable tableau: A stuffed Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear, each wearing safety goggles.
- Fitz may say that young Jemma’s bedtime story is poorly written, but its charming illustrations deserve to, at the very least, make their way to T-shirts.
- Hopefully, Fitz’s skills at dealing with seven-year-old Jemma do not reflect his future parenting skills, given his destiny as the father of a daughter. That said, he doesn’t quite seem ready for Jemma’s casual announcement that he has a grandson.
- “I’m asking you, heart in hand” is probably a phrase Fitz comes to regret using in his proposal, given how Jemma’s Id later chooses to interpret it.
- Look, last week, I took over the reviews for this show, and made casual mention of the fact that I very much enjoy FitzSimmons as a couple. This week, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delivers an ENTIRE EPISODE devoted to that very pairing. Coincidence? Perhaps. Fate? For sure.
‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’: Elizabeth Henstridge on Tonight’s Big FitzSimmons Episode
BY CHRISTINA RADISH JUNE 21, 2019
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Directed by Jesse Bochco and written by DJ Doyle, Episode 606 (called “Inescapable”) of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally brings Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) back into the same room together. They’ve fought through space, time and alternate realities, in order to finally be reunited, but now they must face and overcome their own demons, if they’re going to have a future.
During this 1-on-1 phone interview with Collider, actress Elizabeth Henstridge talked about the unexpected Season 6 and 7 pick-up for the series, the fearless approach to the storytelling, getting to play up the comedy a bit this season, what she’s most excited about with this FitzSimmons reunion, getting to explore so many sides to their characters in one episode, reliving some of the darker moments, what’s next for FitzSimmons, what she’d like to keep from her time on the show, and what it’s meant to her to work alongside so many incredible women. Be aware that there are some spoilers discussed.
Image via ABC
Collider: Since this is the episode that a lot of people have been waiting for, what are you most excited about with this episode and the journey, specifically that Fitz and Simmons go on, in this episode?
ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE: I’m just excited for them to be back together. I always feel like I’ve come home, when I get to have multiple things with Iain [De Caestecker]. You get certain different vibes of things that never quite feel complete, so for me just to have a whole episode exploring them, and their friendship and relationship and secrets, was really cool.
When you’re filming the reunion episode, when you know so many fans have been waiting to see them back together, does it have an extra weight to it while you’re shooting it? Did you personally find yourselves wanting to live up to that fan expectation?
HENSTRIDGE: No. I don’t know if the writers feel that pressure more, but as soon as we get the script, my feeling is that I just want to do the script justice. That’s where my pressure comes from. I read the script and was like, “Oh, my god, if we can do this right, FitzSimmons fans are going to love it.” I guess that’s a similar thing [to what you asked about], but I just usually start with the script. I’ll be like, “I hope I can do this justice because the writer has done his job, and now I have to do my job to do it justice.” But then, as soon as we were in there and going, it was just so easy with Iain. We clicked back into that rhythm, where it just became its own beast.
You guys got and unexpected Season 6 and an even more unexpected Season 7, and now it sounds like that might not even be the end. How do you feel about the evolution of your character, specifically this season, and what was it like to learn that you would be getting to explore her, for at least that much longer?
HENSTRIDGE: It was very unexpected for us. The end of Season 5 was so difficult. We all totally believed it was the end. So, this just feels like a bonus round, and the episodes have been much more experimental. We’ve had the chance to do comedic stuff, and then the FitzSimmons episode. Everything just feels like such a gift, being able to explore the character more. I would have thought, pre-Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., having done a show for six years, everything would just be so dry. And it’s just not that. When you group of writers that are just so talented, every episode is a surprise and it’s awesome.
Because of that fearlessness, it allows things to feel really fresh and new so that, even the audience, that many seasons into a show, doesn’t know what to expect.
HENSTRIDGE: It does feel like that. Season 6 is my favorite because of that fearlessness that you’re speaking of. I’m glad that’s coming across because in doing it, that’s certainly how I felt about the scripts. It’s been so much fun and we’ve just been like, “Oh, my god, we’re going to try this and see if we can do it. Here goes!” The really nice thing is that we’ve built this formula where we just completely blow it all up and start again, which is brave and very admirable. The writers could have just gone, “Let’s just pop out some more. We know what we’re doing.” And they don’t do that. Every season, there’s a whole new concept and characters and vibe.
How did it feel to be able to play up the comedy a bit, this season? Did that come naturally, or was there a bit of an adjustment for that?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: The main comedy that I had was in [Episode 603] with Chloe [Bennet], and so much of that has to do with the director, who was Jesse Bochco, for that one and for [Episode 606]. He really just gives you permission go. Usually, you hear someone say, “Go big, and then we can always make it less.” The nice thing with Jesse is that he’s like, “Go big on this, and never make it less.” He gives you this freedom and the permission to just play. Having those scenes with Chloe, we’ve known each other for so long now and we’ve had dope conversations, a bazillion times, under the casino table. We’ve been in those situations before, in terms of confessing our love for each other. The thing with comedy is that it’s best when you feel safe, and Chloe and I feel very safe together. And then, with a director like Jesse, and a great script, you can just play and trust that, even if it looks ridiculous, it won’t be, in the end.
This episode is fun because you really get to explore the full arc between Fitz and Simmons. We see them from their younger years to their evil sides. How was it to explore so many sides to these characters, in one episode?
HENSTRIDGE: It was brilliant. It felt like a challenge. On day one, we were like, “Oh, my gosh, how are we going to get this all done?” But, it was great. It was nerve-wracking. I was nervous to play [evil] Simmons, and figure out what that was and how she moved. When you start approaching a character, you feel all of the pressure, thinking that it’s just you. And then, you get to set and R.J. McCasland, the special effects make-up wizard, has made a creation that was just incredible. By the time I got into the costume, and went through make-up and hair, and I got my teeth yellowed and the eye contacts, it was like I had just woken up and opened my mouth. I’ve never had so much fun. I absolutely loved her. I’ve been campaigning, every day, for her to be brought back. She’s amazing. Everyone should have the chance to play something like her because it’s very liberating. You don’t care, if she looks pretty or not. You look horrendous, and it’s much more fun. And Iain plays Leopold so well. It was nice to see him in different positions and it was nice to see him react with that character. As an actor, to get a script like that is a freakin’ dream. There was so much cool stuff to do.
Because FitzSimmons keep getting separated, there have been some pretty dark moments between them on the show. What was it like to also have to relive those in this episode?
HENSTRIDGE: Such a good question. It’s interesting, coming to those things, as an actor. The scene where we see Coulson, and Fitz’s body bag is there, you almost don’t have to do any work, as an actor, to get to that point of despair because you’ve already done it. It just happened to be six months ago, or whenever. So, coming to those scenes again, it clicked back into how you were feeling, at that time. We lived the backstory leading up to that moment, so it was surprisingly not difficult to get there, emotionally. You always feel drained, after those scenes, because your body doesn’t quite understand that it wasn’t real. You go home and eat a bar of chocolate and have a large glass of wine to try to get through it.
When you play a character who’s so driven to find the person that she loves most in the world, and then you find him, what’s next? What can you say about where their relationship is going, for the rest of the season?
HENSTRIDGE: They’re stronger together. They’re pretty great apart, but they’re stronger together. And now that they are together, they can get moving on figuring out how to get back and get with the team. They’re reunited now, and it’s time to get to business.
After so many times where it seems like they would finally be together, only to have them ripped apart again, are you just like, “Okay, they’ve been tortured enough. Leave them alone!”?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: Yes, every time, I say that. Obviously, I enjoy those torturous scenes, as well, but it feels nice to have them back together. The future looks good, right now.
You’ve also been exploring directing a bit, between doing a short film and directing an episode of the show. In what ways are you finding that you most enjoy directing, and what have been the most challenging aspects of it?
HENSTRIDGE: Whether or not I directed an episode has not officially been released, but I can talk to directing the short, and I have another short that I’ll be doing, in the next few weeks. I think everything within film and TV helps inform every other role, so it’s definitely helped my acting, being on the other side of the camera, and it’s just given me a whole new appreciation for how hard everybody in the crew works. The hours are so long and the skill that we have on our set is just unbelievable. We’re working with the best people in the field, in every aspect of the crew. Seeing everyone work together – and we’ve kept most of our crew, for the whole time – at this point, it’s just a slick machine that will go as fast as you can push it. It’s a phenomenal group of people to be around. That’s something that I’m so glad I’ve had, as one of my first experiences on a TV show for this long. It’s easy to just think of the people in front of the camera, when you watch the show. I wish everyone could get the experience of shadowing all of our camera guys, or the grips, or one of our producers, just to see how many people are there and what it takes to film one scene. It’s really awe-inspiring. It’s so cool, how the machine works.
By the time you get to Season 6 and Season 7 of a TV series, it’s more challenging to find things that you haven’t explored yet on the show and with the characters. Are there still things with Simmons that you feel haven’t been explored yet, that you’d still like to delve into?
HENSTRIDGE: I thought she was really well explored in Season 1, and here we are, six seasons later, and I’m like, “Oh, I guess I was wrong.” Bold character exploration is always good. In some ways, I’d like to fast forward and see where she is, in 10 years, and see what that looks like. Do they have a family? Do they both survive? I most enjoy her being in leadership roles. It’s fun to play, and it’s fun to see her do. I would like to see how far that could go. I always say it, and it just never comes true, but I would just like them to chill out for a bit and just go for coffee, or something.
Once the show is finally done and the lights are turned out on the set, have you thought about anything that you’d like to be able to take home with you? Are there any mementos or set pieces that you’d want to try to escape with?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: Really, I should have been doing that each season because we tend to just blow up our set, at the end of a season, and everything gets destroyed. I would love to have her little Converse, that she wore in the pilot and Season 1. I’m a weirdo with things. I prefer to have pictures. There are certain scripts that I keep, and I have all my notes on. I used to keep every script, but now I just keep significant episodes because I live in an apartment with limited space. And I have different scrapbooks for each year, where I’ll keep messages from people, or notes and things. It’s always good to think about what you’re going to steal. I probably need to get on that, and find some dusty closet somewhere and put all of our stuff in there.
There are so many strong and fearless female characters on this show. What has it meant to you, to get to be a part of that and to work alongside the fantastic women that you work with on this show?
HENSTRIDGE: It’s a dream come true. I’ve been surrounded by strong women since birth, so it was never really mentioned in my family that it was abnormal, or not the norm. It was really the reaction to the characters, from people watching the show, that made me realize this isn’t normal for everybody. I’ve never felt like I can’t do anything because I’m a woman. Never, ever. I was privileged enough to be surrounded by women that were at the top of their game and just freakin’ doing it. It’s something that I’ve come to appreciate more because of the reaction from the show. It’s amazing. We’re also surrounded by men that support women being in those positions. The magic happens when it doesn’t feel like a fight, but it just feels natural and right. Also, all of the characters on the show are allowed to have flaws and overcome them, and then be supported by other people. That’s not weakness. That’s actually strength. It’s reciprocal. That becomes cooler, the more that I talk to people about it. I hope it continues because it works. It makes for great television and good stories, and it elicits emotion in people that’s good and happy. I hope this is a sign of more roles to come for women that are beautiful and strong and flawed, but talented and sometimes wrong. You’re allowed to be wrong.
And they’re all there for each other, which is nice to see.
HENSTRIDGE: Absolutely! That’s awesome. That was one of the things that Joss [Whedon] ever said to me. He was talking about Simmons relationship with then Skye, and he said, “I never want it to turn nasty. You will always be supportive of each other.” And in the moment, I was like, “Wow, that’s cool.” But now, in this particular climate, it’s like, “Wow, that’s awesome!” And it’s true. It’s never become petty, between Simmons and Daisy.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs on Friday nights on ABC.
BY CHRISTINA RADISH JUNE 21, 2019
SHARE TWEET
Directed by Jesse Bochco and written by DJ Doyle, Episode 606 (called “Inescapable”) of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally brings Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) back into the same room together. They’ve fought through space, time and alternate realities, in order to finally be reunited, but now they must face and overcome their own demons, if they’re going to have a future.
During this 1-on-1 phone interview with Collider, actress Elizabeth Henstridge talked about the unexpected Season 6 and 7 pick-up for the series, the fearless approach to the storytelling, getting to play up the comedy a bit this season, what she’s most excited about with this FitzSimmons reunion, getting to explore so many sides to their characters in one episode, reliving some of the darker moments, what’s next for FitzSimmons, what she’d like to keep from her time on the show, and what it’s meant to her to work alongside so many incredible women. Be aware that there are some spoilers discussed.
Image via ABC
Collider: Since this is the episode that a lot of people have been waiting for, what are you most excited about with this episode and the journey, specifically that Fitz and Simmons go on, in this episode?
ELIZABETH HENSTRIDGE: I’m just excited for them to be back together. I always feel like I’ve come home, when I get to have multiple things with Iain [De Caestecker]. You get certain different vibes of things that never quite feel complete, so for me just to have a whole episode exploring them, and their friendship and relationship and secrets, was really cool.
When you’re filming the reunion episode, when you know so many fans have been waiting to see them back together, does it have an extra weight to it while you’re shooting it? Did you personally find yourselves wanting to live up to that fan expectation?
HENSTRIDGE: No. I don’t know if the writers feel that pressure more, but as soon as we get the script, my feeling is that I just want to do the script justice. That’s where my pressure comes from. I read the script and was like, “Oh, my god, if we can do this right, FitzSimmons fans are going to love it.” I guess that’s a similar thing [to what you asked about], but I just usually start with the script. I’ll be like, “I hope I can do this justice because the writer has done his job, and now I have to do my job to do it justice.” But then, as soon as we were in there and going, it was just so easy with Iain. We clicked back into that rhythm, where it just became its own beast.
You guys got and unexpected Season 6 and an even more unexpected Season 7, and now it sounds like that might not even be the end. How do you feel about the evolution of your character, specifically this season, and what was it like to learn that you would be getting to explore her, for at least that much longer?
HENSTRIDGE: It was very unexpected for us. The end of Season 5 was so difficult. We all totally believed it was the end. So, this just feels like a bonus round, and the episodes have been much more experimental. We’ve had the chance to do comedic stuff, and then the FitzSimmons episode. Everything just feels like such a gift, being able to explore the character more. I would have thought, pre-Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., having done a show for six years, everything would just be so dry. And it’s just not that. When you group of writers that are just so talented, every episode is a surprise and it’s awesome.
Because of that fearlessness, it allows things to feel really fresh and new so that, even the audience, that many seasons into a show, doesn’t know what to expect.
HENSTRIDGE: It does feel like that. Season 6 is my favorite because of that fearlessness that you’re speaking of. I’m glad that’s coming across because in doing it, that’s certainly how I felt about the scripts. It’s been so much fun and we’ve just been like, “Oh, my god, we’re going to try this and see if we can do it. Here goes!” The really nice thing is that we’ve built this formula where we just completely blow it all up and start again, which is brave and very admirable. The writers could have just gone, “Let’s just pop out some more. We know what we’re doing.” And they don’t do that. Every season, there’s a whole new concept and characters and vibe.
How did it feel to be able to play up the comedy a bit, this season? Did that come naturally, or was there a bit of an adjustment for that?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: The main comedy that I had was in [Episode 603] with Chloe [Bennet], and so much of that has to do with the director, who was Jesse Bochco, for that one and for [Episode 606]. He really just gives you permission go. Usually, you hear someone say, “Go big, and then we can always make it less.” The nice thing with Jesse is that he’s like, “Go big on this, and never make it less.” He gives you this freedom and the permission to just play. Having those scenes with Chloe, we’ve known each other for so long now and we’ve had dope conversations, a bazillion times, under the casino table. We’ve been in those situations before, in terms of confessing our love for each other. The thing with comedy is that it’s best when you feel safe, and Chloe and I feel very safe together. And then, with a director like Jesse, and a great script, you can just play and trust that, even if it looks ridiculous, it won’t be, in the end.
This episode is fun because you really get to explore the full arc between Fitz and Simmons. We see them from their younger years to their evil sides. How was it to explore so many sides to these characters, in one episode?
HENSTRIDGE: It was brilliant. It felt like a challenge. On day one, we were like, “Oh, my gosh, how are we going to get this all done?” But, it was great. It was nerve-wracking. I was nervous to play [evil] Simmons, and figure out what that was and how she moved. When you start approaching a character, you feel all of the pressure, thinking that it’s just you. And then, you get to set and R.J. McCasland, the special effects make-up wizard, has made a creation that was just incredible. By the time I got into the costume, and went through make-up and hair, and I got my teeth yellowed and the eye contacts, it was like I had just woken up and opened my mouth. I’ve never had so much fun. I absolutely loved her. I’ve been campaigning, every day, for her to be brought back. She’s amazing. Everyone should have the chance to play something like her because it’s very liberating. You don’t care, if she looks pretty or not. You look horrendous, and it’s much more fun. And Iain plays Leopold so well. It was nice to see him in different positions and it was nice to see him react with that character. As an actor, to get a script like that is a freakin’ dream. There was so much cool stuff to do.
Because FitzSimmons keep getting separated, there have been some pretty dark moments between them on the show. What was it like to also have to relive those in this episode?
HENSTRIDGE: Such a good question. It’s interesting, coming to those things, as an actor. The scene where we see Coulson, and Fitz’s body bag is there, you almost don’t have to do any work, as an actor, to get to that point of despair because you’ve already done it. It just happened to be six months ago, or whenever. So, coming to those scenes again, it clicked back into how you were feeling, at that time. We lived the backstory leading up to that moment, so it was surprisingly not difficult to get there, emotionally. You always feel drained, after those scenes, because your body doesn’t quite understand that it wasn’t real. You go home and eat a bar of chocolate and have a large glass of wine to try to get through it.
When you play a character who’s so driven to find the person that she loves most in the world, and then you find him, what’s next? What can you say about where their relationship is going, for the rest of the season?
HENSTRIDGE: They’re stronger together. They’re pretty great apart, but they’re stronger together. And now that they are together, they can get moving on figuring out how to get back and get with the team. They’re reunited now, and it’s time to get to business.
After so many times where it seems like they would finally be together, only to have them ripped apart again, are you just like, “Okay, they’ve been tortured enough. Leave them alone!”?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: Yes, every time, I say that. Obviously, I enjoy those torturous scenes, as well, but it feels nice to have them back together. The future looks good, right now.
You’ve also been exploring directing a bit, between doing a short film and directing an episode of the show. In what ways are you finding that you most enjoy directing, and what have been the most challenging aspects of it?
HENSTRIDGE: Whether or not I directed an episode has not officially been released, but I can talk to directing the short, and I have another short that I’ll be doing, in the next few weeks. I think everything within film and TV helps inform every other role, so it’s definitely helped my acting, being on the other side of the camera, and it’s just given me a whole new appreciation for how hard everybody in the crew works. The hours are so long and the skill that we have on our set is just unbelievable. We’re working with the best people in the field, in every aspect of the crew. Seeing everyone work together – and we’ve kept most of our crew, for the whole time – at this point, it’s just a slick machine that will go as fast as you can push it. It’s a phenomenal group of people to be around. That’s something that I’m so glad I’ve had, as one of my first experiences on a TV show for this long. It’s easy to just think of the people in front of the camera, when you watch the show. I wish everyone could get the experience of shadowing all of our camera guys, or the grips, or one of our producers, just to see how many people are there and what it takes to film one scene. It’s really awe-inspiring. It’s so cool, how the machine works.
By the time you get to Season 6 and Season 7 of a TV series, it’s more challenging to find things that you haven’t explored yet on the show and with the characters. Are there still things with Simmons that you feel haven’t been explored yet, that you’d still like to delve into?
HENSTRIDGE: I thought she was really well explored in Season 1, and here we are, six seasons later, and I’m like, “Oh, I guess I was wrong.” Bold character exploration is always good. In some ways, I’d like to fast forward and see where she is, in 10 years, and see what that looks like. Do they have a family? Do they both survive? I most enjoy her being in leadership roles. It’s fun to play, and it’s fun to see her do. I would like to see how far that could go. I always say it, and it just never comes true, but I would just like them to chill out for a bit and just go for coffee, or something.
Once the show is finally done and the lights are turned out on the set, have you thought about anything that you’d like to be able to take home with you? Are there any mementos or set pieces that you’d want to try to escape with?
Image via ABC
HENSTRIDGE: Really, I should have been doing that each season because we tend to just blow up our set, at the end of a season, and everything gets destroyed. I would love to have her little Converse, that she wore in the pilot and Season 1. I’m a weirdo with things. I prefer to have pictures. There are certain scripts that I keep, and I have all my notes on. I used to keep every script, but now I just keep significant episodes because I live in an apartment with limited space. And I have different scrapbooks for each year, where I’ll keep messages from people, or notes and things. It’s always good to think about what you’re going to steal. I probably need to get on that, and find some dusty closet somewhere and put all of our stuff in there.
There are so many strong and fearless female characters on this show. What has it meant to you, to get to be a part of that and to work alongside the fantastic women that you work with on this show?
HENSTRIDGE: It’s a dream come true. I’ve been surrounded by strong women since birth, so it was never really mentioned in my family that it was abnormal, or not the norm. It was really the reaction to the characters, from people watching the show, that made me realize this isn’t normal for everybody. I’ve never felt like I can’t do anything because I’m a woman. Never, ever. I was privileged enough to be surrounded by women that were at the top of their game and just freakin’ doing it. It’s something that I’ve come to appreciate more because of the reaction from the show. It’s amazing. We’re also surrounded by men that support women being in those positions. The magic happens when it doesn’t feel like a fight, but it just feels natural and right. Also, all of the characters on the show are allowed to have flaws and overcome them, and then be supported by other people. That’s not weakness. That’s actually strength. It’s reciprocal. That becomes cooler, the more that I talk to people about it. I hope it continues because it works. It makes for great television and good stories, and it elicits emotion in people that’s good and happy. I hope this is a sign of more roles to come for women that are beautiful and strong and flawed, but talented and sometimes wrong. You’re allowed to be wrong.
And they’re all there for each other, which is nice to see.
HENSTRIDGE: Absolutely! That’s awesome. That was one of the things that Joss [Whedon] ever said to me. He was talking about Simmons relationship with then Skye, and he said, “I never want it to turn nasty. You will always be supportive of each other.” And in the moment, I was like, “Wow, that’s cool.” But now, in this particular climate, it’s like, “Wow, that’s awesome!” And it’s true. It’s never become petty, between Simmons and Daisy.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs on Friday nights on ABC.
Hold on.
There are rumors that they may get EXTENDED AGAIN!?!?!?!?
There are rumors that they may get EXTENDED AGAIN!?!?!?!?
10/10
Last night's episode was fantastic...
FIGHT to get thru season one than its just gets better!
Is is me or is Jemma looking kinda meaty in the thigh and ass areas? 
Is is me or is Jemma looking kinda meaty in the thigh and ass areas?
Nope its not just you.
I was thinking about you the whole time
This was perfect.
Could this show be the best marvel show ever?
Last night's episode was fantastic...
It was impossible.
Not a second was wasted.
I watched it twice
I don't do that.
I'm saying considering how many near PERFECT episodes they got in the bank
Who better?
Luke Cage
Jessica Jones
Punisher
Iron Fist
Daredevil
Agent Carter
The Gifted
Legion
Or even old school live action...
Incredible Hulk
Spiderman
@ViCiouS needs to weigh in.
Sidebar...
Where would Gotham rank on this list?
Hell...
@fonzerrillii
If you add DC..
Could Lucifer or Arrow or Black Lightning or Supergirl be in consideration?
I JUST binged Lucifer
Yeah its your standard procedural
But taking THAT comic
And flipping it like that?
It had no right to be thst consistently entertaining.
Cause now that Arrow is over i think its not as easy for Gotham to take the crown.
Cause Legion for good and ill aint no joke.
This episode was fantastic especially the sarge and Mack fight.
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RIP to Davis.....
Also what the fuck... shit got interesting
Also what the fuck... shit got interesting
YEAH shit was going like a season ending send off a happier version of spy's good bye
and than next weeks preview
^^^^
It is a travesty they both have not gotten a lead role in an action flick and Mack hasnt been in a marvel movie yet...
That scene was tight well choreographed and shot. Looks like they did most of the stunts themselves.
Coulson looked tough as hell...
Hollywood really slept on him.
He should get ALL of the Liam Neeson roles from this day forth.
And i need a few hours to figure out who Mack needs to play.
Real talk?
I think he needs to be Ben Grimm in the next Fantastic Four movie.
Or Prowler in Spider man with Miles Morales
Or Just add him to Hobbs and Shaw 2: No Diesel All Fire.
The hug between Turbo and Mack
Jaco>>>>>>>>
Raphel Lake Coming Home
Wait...
Are they drinking Zima?
Are they drinking Zima?
I really want a good writer and director
Pr @largebillsonlyplease
to make full use of Mack talents
Cause he got real skills.
Pr @largebillsonlyplease
to make full use of Mack talents
Cause he got real skills.