Should you watch the series more than once? Yes.
Should you buy the DVD? Nah.
Score: 4.0/5
Number of episodes: 8
Episode length: ~40 minutes
“Agent Carter” is an ABC live action superhero period drama about the eponymous Peggy Carter in her days as a secret agent at the SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve), which is the precursor to SHIELD. It is set in the 40’s, and shows her adventures before she founded SHIELD with Howard Stark. The show is set in the same universe as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, it has been cancelled after two seasons. It stars Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), James D’Arcy (Edwin Jarvis), Chad Michael Murray (Jack Thompson), Enver Gjokaj (Daniel Sousa), Shea Whigham (Roger Dooley), with the occasional cameo by Dominic Cooper (Howard Stark).
Yes. The show has been cancelled, even before I’ve finished Season 2. It’s the first drama in a long time that’s had me binge watching it (although the fact that it’s only 8 episodes helps). There aren’t that many superheroics or special effects (although there are those kooky old-fashioned sci-fi props), yet it has me wanting to know more about Agent Carter’s adventures. It’s one of the best Marvel television shows out there, and it’s a crying shame that it had to be cancelled.
Highlights
An endearing female protagonist
Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) can clearly hold her own in any situation, and that’s made very clear from the first episode. It’s not like she has amazing fighting skills or super powers, since she’s only as strong as an average woman of her size and her fighting skills show that she’s been trained, although she’s probably not at the top of her class. She’s independent, takes initiative, and is resourceful without being an irritating, sassy feminist that we see so much of nowadays. Basically she’s strong without being annoying, and that’s rare to see in female characters.
Tighter links to the MCU
It helps that the other main character, Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy), has a direct connection to Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), who appears in many MCU films. Howard Stark always feels like he’s just off screen, and not further away than the next commercial break. His presence is always felt, even if he’s not physically there. The period element also means that there are less superheroes around and fewer special effects to create. All in all, this creates a show that feels like it fits right next to the MCU.
Captures the style and feel of old spy movies
“Agent Carter” doesn’t overdo the period style of the show, keeping what works (overt aspects like props and setting and subtler parts like attitudes and references) while still remaining a product of our era (with the faster pacing and cuts). You never forget that you’re watching a drama set in the 40’s, but you never cringe at what’s happening either.
Features characters from discriminated groups
The main character is a woman, and her gender is not treated as a gimmick that’s forgotten halfway during the season, but integrated into plots and characterisation. Then you have a crippled war veteran, Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj), as one of the supporting characters, who also plays a significant part in the series. Prejudice is one of the everpresent themes of the series, which walks the talk by having them amongst its main cast.
Letdowns
The SSR agents aren’t differentiated from each other
The SSR agents kind of mesh together to form a homogenous white male group. Besides Dooley (Shea Whigham) and Sousa, everyone else feels the same. Their dialogue and actions are interchangeable, and unfortunately, this includes Thompson. Just adding one significant quirk per agent would have gone a long way to making them seem like individuals, but right now, they’re a mob.
Technology level is inconsistent
Because Howard Stark works as a wild card in “Agent Carter,” it gets away with suddenly introducing uncannily modern technology even though the rest of the world lacks cellphones and computers. This trope is pulled one too many times though, and sometimes you can’t help wondering why Howard Stark doesn’t just build something that’ll save the day. He’s done it before, when the plot is convenient.
“Agent Carter” may have ended, but it’s still worth catching the first season.
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