What’s scarier for fans than a great film franchise getting its own weekly TV show? The problems with the big-to-small-screen transition are countless, ranging from laughable visuals, an unknown cast that doesn’t translate and a not-as-perfect team behind it. But after one screening of the pilot of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—a show that centers on the everyday folks who keep superhero-sized secrets from us—any worries should hopefully be put to rest once the action starts rolling in full-force.
After all, with Marvel and ABC’s full backing, the guidance of Avengers mastermind Joss Whedon, the involvement of the absolutely hilarious Clark Gregg and a solid supporting cast, the show’s pilot—set to make its premiere on Sept. 24—is off to an excellent start. But to put your mind to ease, we’ve listed five reasons you should take a seat on the couch without hesitation.
5. It’s Not Just for Nerds
Much like any Marvel movie that’s bridged the way to The Avengers, the studio’s reach extends further than to just those pushing up their glasses in front of a comic spread. The broad appeal—as seen in your mother laughing at Tony Stark’s snarky comebacks, the sudden Internet love for Loki from Thor and America generally feeling like it’s okay to wear Hulk garb again—is in full-force with S.H.I.E.L.D., and maybe moreso due to the conscious move away from a pre-established superhero world. From our first look, it seems like we’ll come for the franchise but stay for the stories.
4. It’s in Good Hands
Although Joss Whedon’s name was plastered all over this project early on, it’s been made clear that he won’t be able to devote his full attention to S.H.I.E.L.D. due to that other Avengers-related thing Marvel has coming out in a few years. But with involvement from the likes of Jed Whedon, Joss’ brother, and Avengers co-worker and Jeph Loeb, head of Marvel’s TV division and general comic mastermind, we’re already seeing what is being accomplished in these more-than-capable hands on the development end.
3. These Ain’t no SyFy Visual Effects
Maybe you’ve been getting used to the stunning visuals of TV projects like Sharknado, but S.H.I.E.L.D.’s explosions, surroundings and special effects will feel fit for the big-screen. Although the premise revolves around normal people, the show doesn’t hold back on the extraordinary in the pilot, with action scenes, on-set filming in Paris and a stunning headquarters that set the crew back $12 million on that episode alone. So far, expect big-screen awe to come weekly from the comfort of your couch.
2. It’s Not Pretending to be a Superhero Movie
Sure, there are people with super powers that appear in S.H.I.E.L.D., but that’s not intended to be the meat of the show. Here, we have a unique, made-for-TV entity that’s aware of its own medium, and that’s to its benefit. ABC and Marvel could’ve probably easily dropped a fully masked Iron Man in promo reels to rake in watchers early on. After the pilot, the attention shift quickly goes towards our Agents, and that’s loyalty that trumps flashy gimmicks any week.
1. Clark Gregg
Producers of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have said more than once that there would be no TV series without an Agent Coulson, and that’s for good reason. What started as a small character (with no comic references) in Iron Man has now exploded into a fan-favorite, one who inspired Twitter to explode with #CoulsonLives after news of his post-Avengers revival. Clark Gregg, one of the best (and funniest) parts about the Marvel Universe recently, is on-board to steer this production with the same quirks and personality that we saw throughout the Marvel’s interweaving Avengers films.
?Yes, we saw him come to his untimely demise in his last appearance on the big screen, but the company brings him back seamlessly and without too much strain on the audience, a credit to Marvel’s decision to only revive a character to suit the story. Here, as a fearless leader and key component of S.H.I.E.L.D., Gregg’s return immediately makes the series familiar, hilarious and engaging all at once. His one-liners, charm and wit are sure to keep audiences returning weekly.