Marvel's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 2 gears for a tension-filled episode 1, as Coulson's closely-knit team welcomes new faces to the cast.
In the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 2's promotional cast photos, two new characters, Lance Hunter (Nick Blood) and Alphonso "Mac" Mackenzie (Henry Simmons) have been added to the mix of brains and brawn of Director Phil Coulson (Gregg Clark), Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), Agent Skye (Chloe Bennet), Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker), Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) and former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent-turned-Hydra-Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton). B.J. Britt also returns as Agent Antoine Triplett, a specialist who becomes part of Coulson's team-replacing Ward.
With the release of cast and episode 1 stills of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 2, website Hypable's Michal Schick noted that "nobody looks particularly happy."
"Speaking of new faces, it's worth starting off with the official cast photo for 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' season 2, which features new cast members and not a single smile," he said, adding, "And not to get too Art History on this image, but we can't help but notice that only two cast members are looking at anyone else. Agent May's eyes rest approvingly on Skye (who seems to have raided her closet,) while Fitz stares across the distance at Simmons."
Fans and critics also remain optimistic despite the few problems the series have encountered in the first season.
Website Screenrant said, "Despite some big stumbles coming out of the gate (namely flat characters, a cheesy tone, and an overall lack of synergy with the big movies), the show has gained its footing since the winter hiatus, managing to find interesting ways to open up the characters and establish a more adult espionage drama tone. Thanks to 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and some appearances by second-tier Marvel movie stars, the ties to the cinematic universe have become tighter and more relevant- to the benefit of both the show and the films."
Meanwhile, the still photos from "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 2's first episode previewed a tension-filled season starter.
Zap2it summarized the season premiere, saying "Coulson and his team are now wanted fugitives with limited resources -- but that's not stopping them from keeping the world safe from powerful and unseen threats everywhere. However, with new members they hardly know, will SHIELD ever be trusted again?"
