Well, Agents, it’s time for our final mission: A recap of the Agent Carter season finale.



I cannot believe eight episodes are over already! I was desperate to know how it would end, but I’m not ready to accept that is has ended now.

Here are the facts on how the last escapade plays out (as always, there are explosive spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution at your own risk.)

Episode 8: Valediction

At the start of episode 8, Agent Carter goes in alongside Thompson and Sousa to investigate a murderous scene at a theater.

Forty-seven people were found dead in gruesome ways. The theater manager has no idea what could have killed them, since the auditorium doors were locked from the outside. After a quick review of the bodies, Peggy concludes these people killed each other. But why? Inside the destroyed theater, Agent Sousa uncovers a canister of noxious gas. Some of the substance sprays him in the face, and he suddenly goes off in a rage, attempting to kill Agent Thompson before another officer knocks out Sousa. Back at the S.S.R., Sousa recovers from the effects of the toxin, and the team continues to investigate how it was used in the theater. They know Ivchenko stole a major supply of it, and now that they’re aware of its effects, they need to figure out where he plans to unleash it. Their work is interrupted by the arrival of none other than Howard Stark, escorted by Edwin Jarvis. (Yes, Mr. Jarvis has a first name that I continually forget about.)

Howard is immediately arrested, and blamed for all the destruction his inventions have caused. He rightly accepts the blame and explains it’s why he’s returned. The gas is called Midnight Oil, he says, and it’s what was used in the battle of Fennel to cause an entire troop to wipe each other out. Stark saw the effects and has to stop it from happening again. Since Ivchenko is after Stark, Howard is going to face the situation. The agents reluctantly realize they need Stark’s help and so they formulate a plan to reel in Ivchenko (whose real name is Fennhoff) and his assassin, “Dottie.”

The plan goes awry, and Howard ends up captured by the Russians. The team quickly deduces that Fennhoff is planning to use one of Stark’s private plans to spray Times Square with Midnight Oil during the V-3 celebration. Ivchenko/Fennhoff reveals that his brother was killed in Fennel, thanks to Midnight Oil, and so the Russian survivor is now bent on revenge.

He brainwashes Stark and Howard’s plane takes off before Peggy and her team can stop him. Peggy gets into a vicious fight with Dottie, and Fennhoff escapes.

 

Agent Sousa and Thompson bring the man down, while Peggy finally defeats Dottie by pushing her out a window. Peggy attempts to break through Howard’s trance over the dispatch, but he insists he is doing the right thing and is bringing back Captain America. 

Meanwhile, Jarvis, the only one who knows how to pilot, has Stark in his sights. The butler is ready to shoot down Howard if necessary, but Peggy refuses to give the order, trying desperately to snap Stark back into reality. At the last minute, he breaks out of hypnosis, saving his life and also sparing Jarvis from taking it. (Stark is indignant when he later learns about the plan. But hey, I would have shot him down for the greater good, too!) Fennhoff is thrown into prison, wearing an odd metal gag to keep him from speaking. After all, Agent Thompson was right when he said, “If he talks, you’re dead.” At last, Fennhoff can’t tell people to focus! Dottie (or whatever her real name is) somehow manages to get away.

As for the S.S.R. team, Agent Thompson becomes chief and takes all the credit for their mission’s success. He does offer Peggy her position back, though she doesn’t accept. At least, not yet. I can’t imagine the S.S.R. without Agent Carter forever! In the meantime, Stark gives her one of his “smaller” penthouses and Angie moves in as her roommate. Howard goes on to destroy his inventions, not trusting any government with them after his past experiences. He already believes Captain America’s blood is lost, and in a way, it is. Jarvis nabbed it and turns it over to Peggy, saying she’s the only person who he can imagine taking care of it. She’s touched, and later spills it into the river, releasing Steve at last, with the words, “Goodbye, my darling…”

Let’s pause a moment and listen to the sounds of our hearts breaking.

Now, to keep them from breaking further, I do have a glimmer of hope. The end of Agent Carter neatly tied up a lot of loose ends and details, but it left some dangling. Fennhoff’s cell mate is the scientist Arnim Zola- the guy we remember from working with Red Skull. They begin to communicate through writing, as Fennhoff can’t talk. And Peggy says she doesn’t believe they’ve seen the last of Dottie. Furthermore, I expect Leviathan reaches further than Fennhoff and the blonde assassin. And since Peggy hasn’t officially returned to the S.S.R., her next moves are a question still open. This all leads me to believe there will be a season 2 after all!

So take heart, agents. Our mission may not be over yet!

Speaking of loose ends, here are a few loose thoughts I jotted down after the finale:

· HOW did Dottie live? I’m pretty sure she’s not fully human. Either that, or she is dead and someone else carried her away. Given the bloody footprints, if that were the case, I’d bet it was another female operative. 

· I’m not completely satisfied that Dottie and Fennhoff lived; however, I can overlook it or even approve if it means I get another season of Agent Carter.

· Fennhoff’s main motive in unleashing Midnight Oil was revenge. I would have preferred him to be after something else as well, but I suppose revenge can be vicious enough on its own.

· It was awesome seeing Agent Carter team up with Agent Sousa and Thompson as equals! Sousa really had me worried when Fennhoff seemed to have him hypnotized; but it turns out that Daniel Sousa is far cleverer than I credited him for. As for Thompson, he was great on the mission but hasn’t changed entirely. I had a pipe dream of Peggy becoming head of the S.S.R., but the position seems to suit Thompson. Even if his ego irked me immensely at the end.

· I love Peggy’s response when Daniel asks how she puts up with Thompson taking the credit. She knows her value; no one else’s opinion matters in that case.

· Howard Stark is definitely Tony Stark’s dad. If anything proves it, it’s the scene in the lab. “This should be kept in the dark. And this should be kept cool! And this- it’s fine now.”

· Jarvis is dearer to me with each episode. He really stepped up to get the job done, and although his next mission is to organize the spice cabinet, he’s proven himself to be more than a butler. He’s also proven that he has one of the strongest characters in the show. As he states before giving Peggy Cap’s blood, “I owe Mr. Stark a great deal, but he does not own my integrity.”

Well, agents, I think we can say our mission is accomplished. 

Now excuse me while I go cry some more of Peggy and Steve.

Goodbye, my darlings.

Hello, Agents! My mission tonight is recapping episodes 6 & 7 of Agent Carter. I’m rather dazed because next week is the season finale, and it feels like the end of Captain America all over again. However, I’ll do my best to focus on what’s happened in the last two episodes rather than what may be ahead!

Grab your badges for clearance, and let’s get to this! (However, before I give you full S.S.R. access, I ask you to make sure you are already caught up on Agent Carter. It’s impossible to write a recap without revealing major plot points, so this will spoil the show if you haven’t seen it yet. Now, if you are up to date with our favorite British agent, you may proceed.)

Episode Six: A Sin to Err
Agent Carter is back in New York, and back on the trail of her investigation. Armed with some information from her Russian mission, she tries to learn more from Dr. Ivchenko, the psychologist she and her team rescued from the barracks in Episode 5. Peggy doesn’t get much from him, as he apologetically explains that he didn’t have much access to Leviathan’s plans. He shares tidbits of information, but Agent Carter is so fervent about getting answers, that Chief Dooley reprimands her and sends her out of the office.  She shares her suspicion that a female assassin from Leviathan killed Agent Krzeminski, and the chief green lights her to chase the hunch. Peggy also believes this female operative was used against Stark, so she partners up with Jarvis to investigate the many women Stark has been entangled with over the last six months. It’s a long list, and Jarvis endures a good deal of abuse from each lady on it, since Stark always leaves the break-ups to the butler.

While Peggy and Jarvis are searching for the female Leviathan agent, another case is cracked back at the S.S.R. Agent Sousa has uncovered that Agent Carter is a double agent. Chief Dooley dispatches several men to track her down. Peggy Carter is now considered a fugitive. Several men come after her and Jarvis, but she fights them off, with a bit of assistance from the butler. 

She and Jarvis make a run for it, only to run straight into Agent Thompson. His newfound friendship with Carter no longer matters. He’s back in S.S.R. mode, and he’s ready to make an arrest. After being in combat beside Peggy in Russia, he shouldn’t underestimate her skill, but he does. It results in Peggy knocking him unconscious in an alley, which Agent Sousa sees. If anyone wants to believe the best about Agent Carter, it’s Daniel Sousa, but there seems to be nothing left to redeem her. Since Peggy won’t fight him, and he won’t shoot her, she gets away again. 

She and Jarvis split up, with Peggy heading back to her apartment. Jarvis tells her not to go, rightly saying it’s the first place the S.S.R. will search for her, but Agent Carter can’t be kept away. She has to get back the vial of Steve Rogers’ blood. Tearing through her apartment, she stuffs the item in her satchel just as the S.S.R. is reaching her door. To the land lady’s dismay, Agent Thompson kicks in the door, ready to catch Agent Carter. Instead, the apartment is now empty.The only evidence of Peggy being there is the gaping hole in the wall. Her land lady now believes that she’s a menace, and allows the other agents to ask the neighbors for information. Peggy is out on a ledge, balancing beside the windows. She manages to alert her friend and neighbor Angie to what’s happening, just as the S.S.R. comes knocking on Angie’s door. 

Ever the actress, Angie spins a tale about Peggy visiting her grandmother, and Angie grieving her own grandmother. It’s dramatic and emotional enough to get to even Agent Thompson, and the men quickly skedaddle away from the weeping waitress.

 Once they’re gone, she helps Peggy into the apartment. It’s enough for Peggy to catch her breath and share a brief parting with Angie, who tells "English" she’d like to hear the whole story one day. Then Peggy is on the run again. She’s nearly out of the building when Dottie Underwood encounters her.  At first, Dottie plays the sweet, concerned neighbor, but then she turns vicious and knocks Peggy out. As she’s fading, Peggy realizes Dottie is the Leviathan operative. Dottie is about to murder Peggy when Agents Thompson and Sousa interrupt. Dottie recaptures her innocent, clueless persona, and the agents haul Peggy away. 

They’ve unknowingly saved her life, but now, she’s their prisoner. Leviathan’s assassin, alias Dottie Underwood, is still on the loose.To make matters worse, the seemingly innocent rescued Russian doctor is actually a scheming, evil and manipulative leader of Leviathan. He’s already pried information from one agent, and caused that man’s death. Furthermore, he’s been communicating with Dottie from inside the S.S.R. How can Peggy bring them down when she’s imprisoned there?  

This was an edge-of-my-seat episode, and I couldn’t pull away from the tension for even an instant. Two things I have to mention, though, are actually more entertaining than intense:
1)      Jarvis. Just Jarvis. He’s always fantastic, but watching him help Peggy investigate Stark’s exes was really quite comical. Also, the scene where he pays a kid to leave him alone was both hilarious and adorable. (sadly, I couldn't find a gif or video clip.) Lastly, he’s able to mostly hold his own where action is involved. I think I need a British butler/partner in crime like this guy.

2)      Angie’s performance and Thompson’s reaction. First, Angie proved that she belongs on stage. Her act saved Peggy for the time being, and if not for Dottie, it would have allowed Peggy to get away entirely. Also, Thompson’s reaction was priceless. Somehow, the dramatic young woman gets New York’s most arrogant agent to talk about his grandmother. (Angie: “What’s your grandmother’s name?” Thompson: “Gam-gam.”) And his attempt at comforting her was so awkwardly amusing.

You have to see it to fully understand. Click here for the video clip. 
And overall, I ate up the general suspense. I’ve gone on about this episode long enough, but it was definitely one of the most intriguing. (Although I seem to feel that way every week!) Now onto the seventh!   

Episode Seven: SNAFU
 Agent Carter is under arrest and being interrogated by her former S.S.R. peers. Agent Sousa is the first to question her, and while he was once the closest thing Peggy had to a friend in the organization, that’s now gone.  It’s evident that his anger and betrayal are driving him as much as his duty to the S.S.R. as he presses for answers, to no avail. Chief Dooley doesn’t get much information from Agent Carter, either, and Agent Thompson doesn’t make any more real progress. 

Thompson's attempts at interrogating Peggy were probably my favorite to watch, because there are evident shifts in his character. A few episodes ago, he would have held nothing back. Now, it’s almost as if his job pains him. He tries to persuade Peggy to give him answers by reminding her how he’s behaved in other interrogations. She fires back that if he wants to hit her, this is his chance, and she lifts her cuffed wrist as proof. Yet even though Chief Dooley told his agents not to go easy on Carter “just because she’s a girl,” and even though Thompson is known for being brutal in interrogations, Agent Thompson doesn’t want to hurt Peggy. Maybe it’s a small thing, but I really like how his character is slowly becoming more human. He’s been a jerk more often than not, but he’s growing on me in ways too. But enough about Agent Thompson! This is a review for Agent Carter! For her part, I was proud of how she handles herself through the questioning. She's finally able to express her frustrations over all she's endured at the S.S.R. When they doubt her ability to carry off an investigation under their noses, she calls them on how they've always overlooked her. Her temper is firing, but she manages to remain confident and in control of the situation.  

 

The session is getting nowhere for the S.S.R. when something unexpected happens: Jarvis arrives. He gets past the S.S.R.’s phone company cover, calmly stating he’s been there before for questioning. The pretend switchboard operators try to get rid of the butler, until he announces he’s come with the signed confession of Howard Stark. 

That’s his pass to see Chief Dooley, and soon Peggy knows that Jarvis has arrived. As it turns out, she isn’t thrilled that Stark has sent a confession, taking the full wrap and leaving Peggy to look like a “patsy,” or damsel in distress. Chief Dooley isn’t as delighted as Jarvis had hoped, either. Instead of trading the signed Stark confession for Peggy, he decides to detain both Peggy and Jarvis until Stark arrives- if he does. The agreement is, if the tycoon turns himself in, the now-fired agent and the butler will be free. With the deal gone sour, Jarvis privately confesses to Peggy he panicked and wrote the confession himself and Stark is not coming. 

She’s quite upset at first, but Jarvis reminds her there was “panic involved,” and Peggy quickly sees that he was only trying to aid her. Since the plan went awry, they need another way out. While they’re being held across from the chief’s office, Peggy noticed Dr. Ivchenko by the chief’s window. The psychologist is tapping on the windowsill, and Peggy quickly recognizes it as Morse code. She jots down the message, with Jarvis reading over her shoulder. (Another surprise: He can read Morse code! Is there anything this butler can’t do?) The code reveals the S.S.R. is in danger! Peggy tries to warn Chief Dooley, who refuses to listen initially. She finally spills the full story, gaining back some trust. Ultimately, it’s when Peggy hands over Captain America’s blood that Agents Sousa and Thompson realize she’s on their side this time. 

They go to check out the building where Dr. Ivchenko’s contact is presumed to be, but while they’re gone, the doctor gets to Chief Dooley. In episode six, the Russian psychologist revealed his power as a hypnotist. He used this ability to cause one agent to commit suicide; now he uses it to control the chief. Dr. Ivchenko ends up with a Stark invention, and then he leaves the chief with an experimental military vest and a final directive. Agents Thompson and Sousa nearly catch Dottie, who was the one communicating with Ivchenko. She makes a mad escape, though, and Ivchenko rejoins her with the invention and the two get away.  Chief Dooley, still under mind control, imprisons Carter and Jarvis in the interrogation room. 

They’re cuffed to the table, and the chief breaks the key in the lock. There’s no way out. Thinking fast, Agent Carter asks Jarvis how he would feel about lifting the table and smashing the mirror glass. He agrees, and after a few delays, they shatter the divide. It’s only then that they realize they’re still cuffed to the table. Agent Thompson comes in, and Peggy tells him they need to find the chief. Thompson frees the prisoners and they rush to Chief Dooley’s office. The chief is inside, wearing the Stark vest experiment. It’s glowing orange, and instantly, we can tell it’s not good. Jarvis confirms it when he explains that it’s an unstable prototype. The idea was to keep soldiers warm. The result was a vest that locks on and overheats to the point of explosion. It isn’t sensitive to anything external, so ice won’t cool it. Tampering with the locks or wires only speeds up the process. There’s nothing anyone, even the scientists, can do. Burning up, Chief Dooley gives one agent a message for his wife. Then he turns to Carter, and makes her promise to complete the mission. She does so, and then Chief Dooley shoots out a window, jumping through as the vest explodes.

The other agents are saved, but the chief is lost. Now the losses and stakes are higher than ever. Restored to the S.S.R., and working alongside the other agents and Jarvis, it’s up to Agent Carter to bring down Leviathan- once and for all. I called episode six intriguing, but episode seven was intense and a bit insane. It’s stuck in my head, and I desperately want to see Leviathan cut down. While Dr. Ivchenko has got to go, I seriously want to see Dottie get hers. I also want to see Agent Carter become the official leader of the S.S.R., and I’d like Agent Thompson to remain the less arrogant, somewhat kinder version he’s revealed on occasion. I’m sure episode eight will satisfy me in many ways, except one: I’m not ready for Tuesdays without Agent Carter. Sigh. 

I'll see you for one more S.S.R. mission next week! Until then, stay alert and don’t trust anyone who tells you to focus. Also, be wary of new neighbors who seem too good to be true. They’re possibly assassins. Now I’m off to work at the “phone company”! ;) 

Good evening, Agents. (Or good *insert current time of day here*) 
Episode 6 of Agent Carter premieres tomorrow night- Tuesday, February 10 at 9 PM on ABC. I sounded like a commercial just then, but I really am anxiously anticipating the new episode! If you haven’t watched the previous episodes yet, I strongly urge you to do so. If you won’t have time, you’re searching for spoilers, or you simply would like a recap, here is an overview of episodes 3-5. If you haven’t read Mirriam’s recap of episodes 1 & 2, check that post out here! 
A quick disclaimer: I haven’t summarized the full plot for each episode, since I decided to focus mainly on the scenes Agent Carter was directly involved in (with a couple of exceptions.) I’ve also watched each episode only once, so please don’t turn me over to the S.S.R. if some of my details are askew. ;) Now, first up, episode 3!  

Episode 3: Time and Tide 
Agent Carter and Jarvis had a narrow (but awesome) escape in episode two. Now in episode three, it looks like they may not have escaped after all. The S.S.R. has found the license plate of Peggy and Jarvis’s getaway car at the scene of the explosion. The registration is traced it back to Howard Stark, but since Stark is missing and Jarvis was the one who reported the car stolen, the S.S.R. comes for the butler. Jarvis is arrested and brought in for questioning. At first, the British butler remains unruffled, but Agents Thompson and Sousa are relentless. Jarvis’s past is brought up with a mention of treason, and his composure truly begins to slip when his wife is threatened. Peggy must find a way to save him without revealing her own involvement with Stark. She does it brilliantly by acting like the dumb secretary her coworkers think she is. Jarvis goes free, and Peggy endures a serious scolding from Chief Dooley and more anger and attitude than usual from Agent Thompson. 

However, the drama is far from over. Jarvis may be out of questioning, but Peggy still needs answers. How was he involved in treason? Can she trust him after all?
There’s another prevalent question: How did someone penetrate Stark’s impenetrable vault?  To answer that, Peggy needed Jarvis’s help. 
Jarvis at last agrees to explain his past, proving he is Peggy’s ally and also not as unemotional as he sometimes appears. A solid team once more, Jarvis and Peggy go to explore the vault. They find and pursue a lead, ending up on board the ship The Heartbreak. There, they uncover cases of stolen Stark weapons. Jarvis calls the S.S.R. from a payphone to anonymously tip them off to the location. In the meantime, Agent Carter fights off a guard. When the S.S.R. arrives, she and Jarvis are forced to leave the man behind, although he has seen them both. 

 The guard is taken in by the S.S.R. and is describing Agent Carter to Agent Krzemenski when an unidentified assassin kills both agent and prisoner. It’s a narrow escape for Carter, once again, and tensions are still high when the episode ends.

My top 3 highpoints of episode 3: 
1. I loved getting some backstory on Jarvis. I’ve liked him from the start, and I’m even fonder of him knowing about his military history and how he went against the law to save the woman he loves. (On a side note, I would like to see his wife at some point instead of only hearing her voice.)
2. The way Peggy outsmarts the other agents by playing dumb is true genius. She knows how to use their stereotypes and prejudice to her advantage. She’s also willing to risk her professional reputation and perhaps position to save a friend.
3. This moment might actually be from Episode 4, but since I’m summarizing episodes 3-5 in this post, a few details are fuzzy. I’m going to place this here, since I mentioned Agent Krzemenski dying. He tormented Peggy, more than any other agent; yet when she hears he’s dead, she feels the loss. It shakes her, because though he wasn’t her friend or even very likeable, he was one of her team. I was glad to see this reaction. Peggy remains strong, but she has real emotions. She is able to handle them rather than constantly hide them. To me, that makes her an even stronger, more relatable character. 

Episode 4: The Blitzkrieg Button
Howard Stark is back and Agent Carter is not thrilled. None of Stark’s mansions are safe from the S.S.R., so Peggy is forced to smuggle the fugitive Stark into her apartment at the Griffin. In episode three, one of her neighbors was evicted for having a man above stairs. To avoid the same fate, Peggy must use her spy skills to get Howard past the land lady and out of sight- not an easy task, since Howard insists on flirting with the other tenants. He is definitely Tony Stark’s dad. His charms fall flat on Peggy, though, who keeps things businesslike and demands to know why Howard’s come. Since the S.S.R. confiscated all the crates from The Heartbreak, Stark tells her he needs to know what they have. He equips Peggy with a camera pen and the task of photographing the S.S.R.’s stash of his technology. After botching Jarvis’s interrogation, Peggy is given insulting assignments such as taking lunch orders. Resourceful as ever, Agent Carter manages to use even this to her advantage. She enters the lab under the guise of writing down the scientists’ dietary wishes and whilst there, snaps pictures of Stark’s weapons. Using her bathroom as a darkroom, Peggy develops the images with Stark. He identifies a sphere shaped one as the Blitzkrieg Button, something he tells Peggy could cause a permanent citywide blackout. Howard begs Peggy to steal it back for him, saying he doesn’t want to be known as both a traitor and the guy who shut down Manhattan. 

Agent Carter pulls off the mission, making it through yet another close encounter with Agent Thompson. Skeptical of Stark’s story, Peggy opens the reclaimed device. What she finds shocks and infuriates her: it’s a vial of Captain America’s blood. She hides it, and tells Stark off for betraying her. Through this turn of events, Peggy realizes she’s betrayed some of her own principles in helping Stark. Now tells him to leave- she’s through helping him. 

  Unbeknownst to her, Peggy gets a little help from elsewhere. The lead criminal from The Heartbreak situation is coming for her and makes it as far as her doorway. Then Peggy’s new neighbor, a seemingly sweet ballerina named Dottie Underwood, steps out. The intruder threatens Dottie and then something insane happens. Dottie murders the man in under thirty seconds. The episode left me relieved on the one hand, that this criminal was gone, but super freaked out over Agent Carter’s neighbor. Who is this Dottie, really? How did she learn to kill a man? Is she trying to protect Peggy, or is Dottie an enemy?

Top 4 highlights from episode 4:
1. Jarvis has been fantastic throughout, but in this episode, I particularly liked his characterization. It’s evident that he’s torn between loyalty to both Stark and Carter, and I empathized with him for being caught in the middle. There were also a few moments when I questioned if Jarvis could actually be villainous! It was great tension, even if I felt guilty for second guessing the butler. (I think there’s something inherently suspicious about butlers. They get blamed for everything.)
2. I love seeing more of Agent Carter’s ingenuity and close calls. I always cheer when she pulls another one over on the S.S.R., and there were quite a few instances of that in this episode. But she also cuts it close several times, making me hold my breath before I do finally get to cheer.
3. We see Peggy’s deep feelings for Steve. When she finds that Howard has a vial of Steve’s blood, she’s furious because of how much Steve Rogers meant to her. Time has passed, and Peggy hasn’t put her life on hold because of her loss, but she still feels it keenly. She still remembers everything Steve stood for, and his memory inspires her. He may be gone, but he lives on in Peggy’s heart. (I’m going to stop now before I start singing My Heart Will Go On.)
4. The scene where Carter tells off Stark has some truly solid dialogue. Howard overall gets what he deserves, and I was glad Peggy didn’t back down or give in to him. Through the whole episode, I loved how Peggy brushed off Howard’s flirting and how his charm had zero effect on her.

Episode 5: The Iron Ceiling
Since she’s broken ties with Stark, Agent Carter tries to immerse herself fully again in her work at the S.S.R. Jarvis tries to reconcile with her, but Peggy refuses to be led on a second time. Her trust is not an easy thing to win back. Unfortunately, neither is Chief Dooley’s. Agent Carter is being treated more like a secretary than ever. She manages to break a code that not even an expert can, learning that the enemy organization, Leviathan, is supposed to be buying weapons from Stark at a Soviet military complex.  Chief Dooley orders a mission to stop the sale and catch Stark, putting Agent Thompson in charge. Agent Carter insists on accompanying his team, but she is refused. Peggy reminds the chief that she has extensive knowledge of Russia. Furthermore, she can gather the best team for a Russian mission- the famed 107th unit of Captain America’s day, also known as the Howling Commandos. Chief Dooley agrees that if she can get the Howling Commandos to join them, she can be on the team, too. Neither Dooley or Thompson seem convinced Carter will be able to recruit the 107th, but one phone call later, she’s accomplished exactly that. She parachutes into Russia with Thompson’s team, and as promised, meets up with the legendary Howling Commandos. 

They enter the compound and come across a crying young girl. One of the Commandos, Dugan, tries to comfort her. It seems to be working- until the girl pulls a knife, stabs him, and kills one of the other team members. The underage assassin escapes, and the team must carry out the rest of their mission, but they’re all deeply disturbed. Later, when they are trying to escape, the girl reappears, fighting alongside other Russians. Agent Thompson freezes up, but Agent Carter saves the day and they make it out with most of their team. This was undoubtedly the action-packed, heart-pounding episode yet, and clearly the most violent. It’s also the one that left my head spinning most. While Peggy was in Russia, other events occurred in the states that have me on edge for her return. As it turns out, Dottie was trained in the same facility as the child assassin. When Peggy is away, Dottie gets into her apartment and finds the images of Stark’s inventions, stealing one of the secret photos. Meanwhile, Agent Sousa is still analyzing a photo of a suspect and finally realizes he’s looking at Carter in disguise.
  I have so many questions and I can’t wait to see how episode 6 goes down! Just look at this dramatic picture from the preview! 

Here are my 5 highpoints for episode 5:
1. The Howling Commandos! I loved seeing most of the old team back together, and I felt some of what Peggy seemed to be. While it was wonderful for most of them to be reunited, it was glaringly obvious that things weren’t the same. Steve was missing, and although I don’t think Peggy focused beyond that, I desperately missed Bucky, too. Even so, there was such nostalgia in sharing a mission with familiar faces again. I would love to see the Howling Commandos appear in another episode, but IMDb sadly says they won’t.
2. Agent Carter isn’t one to sit around sulking. Stark betrayed her and the S.S.R. doesn’t appreciate her, but she continues to earn respect. She knows her strengths and uses them even when she isn’t given enough credit, as with breaking the Leviathan code.
3. The action! Some of the episode was rather too violent for me (particularly Dottie’s flashback to assassin training) but the combat scenes were well done and reminded me of Captain America. It was an exciting break from New York City! Although I’m eager to get back there for episode 6.
4. I really enjoyed seeing more interaction between Agent Thompson and Agent Carter. Fighting alongside one another, they begin to develop more trust and respect. One of my favorite bits is when the S.S.R. team is headed back to New York, and Agent Thompson opens up to Agent Carter. Agent Thompson has not been my favorite person by any means, but I think I could grow to like him now. For once, he lets himself be vulnerable, and to Peggy of all people. I loved hearing his war history, and getting a glimpse beyond his typical arrogance to the damaged solider beyond. For Carter’s part, she’s very gracious. She could insult him as he’s done to her, use the information against him, or condemn him for his past actions. Instead, she listens and then offers him kindness. I wonder could the two agents remain friends?
5. As I already mentioned, there are so many questions! This is one episode I couldn’t get out of my head. I need more answers!
What did you think of these three episodes? Are there any highlights I left out? What do you think is coming in episode 6? 
P.S. If you read this far, you are a truly outstanding agent. ;) Mission accomplished! 

I think it was the accent that made me a fan of Agent Peggy Carter initially. However, by the time I finished Captain America: the First Avenger, Peggy had become one of my favorite Marvel characters ever. So at the news of Agent Carter starring in her own television series, I was elated. 

Four episodes in, I haven't been disappointed. I could go on about how much I'm loving the show itself, but there is another aspect I'm especially fond of. 

That vintage fashion is simply the cat's pajamas! In just about every scene, I can't stop myself from sighing over the outfits of an era gone by. At the end of every episode, I declare to anyone who's in the living room that I want to be like Agent Carter! However, since I'll never keep national secrets or be able to defend myself with a stapler, I'll be content to copy her style. 

I’m certainly not an expert on this fashion era, or fashion in general, but from observing Peggy’s ensembles, doing a bit of research on the time period, and my own fawning over vintage clothing, here are the inspirations I’ve gathered for dressing like our favorite Agent. Keep in mind what I consider the 4 C's of Agent Carter's closet: Clean, classy, conservative and confident. :) 

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I am going to rely on various images to help explain my points in this post. I’ve also done my best to find items in a similar style to Peggy’s for the ensembles shown. 

Let's start with what we can learn from Agent Carter’s earliest outfits. 

Since it was wartime, and Agent Carter was serving in the military, her outfits were mostly basic. They consisted of standard army issue, except she typically favored a straight, knee-length skirt to trousers. The essentials for this look are a white blouse, simple skirt, and sensible shoes. Think in subtle shades, especially greens and browns. To accessorize, add a practical leather belt and perhaps a smart black neck tie. Feel free to browse eBay for World War II pins to complete the look! 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight 

Despite being very basic for most of her World War II scenes, Agent Carter did find an occasion to get dolled up. 

In her red dress, she shifted from business as usual to an elegant evening ensemble. Still, despite being more formal, Peggy kept this look refined by not overdoing it. The dress is overall conservative, and her accessories are small, keeping in line with Agent Carter's signature classiness. The vibrant red shade boldly brings out her personality and patriotism! To copy this striking style, select a dress that is feminine and flattering, add a pair of matching pumps, and finish it out with a clutch purse and a vintage-esque watch. 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven

Moving away from wartime now, Agent Carter's style has changed slightly, but she still embodies simple sophistication. 

This is a lady with a job to do, and she looks fabulous doing it. Her outfit pieces are well tailored, professional, and fashionable without being frilly or showy. Red, white and blue are her signature colors and they appear in outfits throughout the series. Perhaps my favorite thing about Agent Carter is that she has mastered the look of a woman in the work world. She dresses with dignity and refinement and carries herself with poise and self-respect, showcasing her wits and wisdom more than her womanly attributes. Yet she never looks matronly or mannish; rather, she is the epitome of elegance.  

To achieve this impeccable office look, opt for dark tones such as navy blue or charcoal gray. Balance it out with a timeless blouse and then kick things up with an unforgettable yet practical pair of heels. If you really feel daring, cap it off with a brilliantly hued hat. 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight 

Agent Carter was running late to work in this outfit, but she at least she was fashionably late! Her previous rules of office attire apply here: uncomplicated and understated but unmistakably classy. A dark jacket and skirt are contrasted by a lighter blouse. Strappy black heels take the outfit to the next level. This is a very minimalist ensemble, but it has maximum style! 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six 

The inspiration here is again all about the neutrals! Agent Carter knows how to spin subdued shades into sharp statements. By building a wardrobe of basics, the ensuing outfit possibilities are endless. 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight

 Even when she's not at work, Peggy stays in style. Here, she opts for ladylike dresses rather than her usual professional suits. In the first example, she dons the American colors of red and blue again. (Perhaps in memory of Captain America?) In the second, she wears one of my favorite outfits, a black dress with charming details. And of course, no outfit would be complete without the proper shoes! The vintage dress is the focus for these ensembles, rounded out with matching pumps, stockings and a purse. 

Links: one // two // three // four // five // six // seven 

If you want to channel your inner agent, here is a recap of the essentials: 

- Tailored jacket / blazer, preferably in a dark color

- A knee or calf-length skirt, either pencil or A-line, also in a dark color 

- A basic blouse, white or another light shade 

- Moderate heels. Don't pick anything too tall, in case you have to run for a mission! 

- Confidence. Ultimately, Agent Carter's confidence and self-assurance are the keys to her style. 

- British accent is optional but encouraged. 

The links I included are just to get you started. ModCloth is my favorite vintage shop, but you can also make some excellent Agent discoveries on eBay, Etsy, and even Amazon. Also check out the site, Rusty Zipper, for real vintage pieces. And don't underestimate your local thrift shops! I've found several skirts, blouses and jackets at Goodwill to include in my agent ensembles. If you don't live near a second hand store, check out the website, ThredUp. They have a great selection of tops, blazers, and skirts that you can creatively incorporate into your collection. 

Just remember the Four C's of Agent Carter's closet: Clean, Classy, Conservative & Confident! 

Now go complete your missions - fabulously! 

Agent Carter

Tuesdays

ABC 8|7c

 

I'd like to start this off with a statement: I'm switching up the way I do recaps. I was extremely happy with the Galavant review, and here's the best part - it didn't take four hours, which is how long my recaps usually take to write up. And on a lot of Wednesdays and Saturdays, I just don't have four hours to spend on one thing. Plus, they're long to read! So take a look at the Galavant review if you want to see what these recaps will resemble a bit more. Onward!

 

 

 

There is a great lesson we can all take from this series, and we learn it within the first thirty seconds of the pilot episode.

Never underestimate Agent Peggy Carter.

Unfortunately, that's what her coworkers do. They treat her as a secretary, asking her to file things and fetch coffee and sharpen pencils and 'do whatever it is you women do.' While she's enduring said treatment in the workplace, Howard Stark is being persecuted. Everyone thinks he's been selling weapons to the enemy, and when he disappears, it doesn't help his cause. Until he and his butler, Edmund Jarvis (Who is played by James D'Arcy, who was in Master and Commander along with Paul Bettany, the modern Jarvis FUN FACT FOR EVERYONE) find Peggy and tell her that the weapons were stolen, and Howard is being framed. He tells her there was an explosive taken that they need to find immediately, and gives the job to her. Eager to get back in the game, she accepts - and realizes she might have bitten off more than she could chew.

 

 

Let me say what I love about this series.

 

1. Peggy. I posted on Facebook, 'It is my professional opinion that we need more Peggy Carters and less Jane Fosters, please and thank you,' and got a hundred comments in an hour. Granted, there were a lot of Peggy vs. Jane remarks, but the majority basically professed their love for Peggy. She has lost the only man she's ever loved, but she isn't letting it destroy her life (granted, she has issues, but she's dealing with them). She's a 1940's Elizabeth Bennett - strong-willed, passionate, clever, smart, and polite - all while being polite, ladylike, and generally fantastic. Plus, she has perfect lipstick, great shoes, and makes a perfect bombshell blonde.

 

 

2. Jarvis. I was so excited when I heard they were going to have the original Jarvis the Butler in this series, and he's perfect in every way. A comfortable family man with a dry sense of humor, he's the perfect compliment to Peggy's exploits and tells her like it is.

 

 

3. The freaky voiceless dudes. Because let's face it, that electronic voice thing was awesome.

 

4. The humor. Marvel always has a great sense of humor, and this was no exception. I also love how the humor was focused more on subtlety and less on snark - I ADORE snark but I love how this particular sense of humor feels very 1940s where as 'snark' feels more modern, perfect for Tony Stark and the rest of the Avengers. Everything in this show felt retro and down-to-earth.

 

5. Bucky. Because he's currently alive, right, and that's pretty cool. He's out there somewhere, doing things. YEE-HAW.

 

 

6. Vanko's cameo. Now that's just fun.

 

What I mildly disliked

(because I didn't actually hate anything)

 

1. Colleen died. I mean, we all saw it coming, but that was sad.

 

2. There is no 2.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS

 

1. What angle are Howard and Jarvis working??

2. Is it just me, or did the first voiceless dude look like pre-serum Steve from the back?

3. How do Peggy's nails always stay unchipped? Is that her actual superpower?

4. Was that Joe DiMaggio?

5. Is the nice legless guy whose name I currently forget going to end up being a villain?

6. What is Leviathan?