Agent Carter Episodes 1 Thru 2 Recaps: Kicking Ass Since 1946 (Series Premiere)

"Agent Carter" premiered on ABC last night with a two hour special. There will be eight episodes total in the series. The verdict is in and Peg Carter is just what TV needs. She's a serious badass who looks lovely while dispatching villains. She doesnt have any super powers so must rely on her wits and a cache of gadgets that would make 007 envious.

It's 1946 and Peggy Carter is working for the New York Bell Company (which is really a cover for SSR). The Strategic Scientific Reserve was the predecessor of SHIELD. Yes as in "Agents of SHIELD". See my "SHIELD" reviews here: http://gmonster320.blogspot.com/search/label/Agents%20of%20S.H.I.E.L.D

We also see flashbacks of Peg with Steve Rogers (ie Captain America) right before his plane went down. Steve is presumed dead and Peg is still mourning him. But have no fear, he'll be back. For the uninitiated the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) includes a vast array of characters and organizations based on the comic books including: Peggy Carter, SSR, SHIELD, Captain America, Iron Man, Hydra, etc.

Some Of The SSR Boys

Peg felt a sense of mission before the war. Now that the men are back, she is relegated to filing reports, making coffee, etc. Other SSR team members include: Roger Dooley (the chief), Jack Thompson, and Daniel Sousa (who seems to be a really good guy and potential love interest for Peg).

You Are A Handsome Devil Howard Stark

We see Howard Stark of Stark Industries (ie Iron Man's daddy) in front of a congressional committee. He is accused of treason for selling weapons of mass destruction to the enemy (when actually his inventions were stolen). He has a secret meeting with Peg. Her mission, should she choose to accept it, is to clear his name. This means she'll be working against everyone else in SSR who is trying to put Howard away. Of course she's game. This gives us an intro to his butler Edwin Jarvis. Jarvis adds some levity to the show. I'm sure he'll prove to be a good ally and friend to Peg (in a very British way of course).

Dont Call Me Alfred!

Peggy beats the SSR boys to their next mission by saying she needs to leave due to "lady things" (which of course no one will question). At the club she gets to use a number of her gadgets including: Sweet Dreams lipstick (one kiss and any man is knocked unconscious) and her watch (which doubles as a safe cracker). She's also equally handy with a stapler or fork.

Inside the safe Peg is a glowing orb of nitramene. She immediately calls Jarvis for help (and exposition). Peg rushes home and finds her roommate in the bed sick. In the bathroom she deactivates the device with vinegar, and some other stuff I missed. Disaster averted. But when she steps outside, her roommate is dead (poor Colleen, we didnt know you well). Peg pushes the man out a window but he escapes. Mental Note: That guy is going to be hard to kill.

No One Will Notice Me In My Big Red Hat Disguise

A waitress and wanna be actress named Angie befriends Peg. She invites Peg to move into her boarding house. Angie is way too nice. I think she'll end up being part of Leviathan.

There's a milk truck filled with nitrameme bombs. And the one guy without a voicebox (is his name Green Suit) is apparently NOT working with the other guy without a voicebox (Leet). Anywhere there's a fight atop a speeding milk truck, a big explosion and Peg and Jarvis have to hightail it out before SSR arrives.

Miscellania:

Is Hayley Atwell the best or what? She may be my new favorite person. But Lana Parrilla is still my favorite, favorite person. She's going to be hard to top.
These two episodes were entitled "Now Is Not The End" and "Bridges and Tunnels".
The Captain America Adventure Hour "brought to you by Roxxon Oil" was a nice touch. Peg kept hearing it on the radio everywhere she went.
Peg gets to disguise herself as a blonde femme fatale and a milk inspector. What's next?
Is James Frain the hardest working man in TV? Here he's Leet Brannis but we've also seen him as Richard Shepherd on "Intruders", Franklin Mott on "True Blood" and Thomas Cromwell on "Tudors" to name only a few.
I dont want to say the show is better than "Agents of SHIELD" but so far it's much better than "Agents of SHIELD".

A Different Agent Carter-- Definitely NOT As Good

Favorite Quotes:

"Peg You work at the phone company. It aint life and death." Apparently it was, dead roommate Colleen. Apparently it was.
Peggy requests a sick day due to "lady things". Oh course none of the men will question that. You go girl!
"Crickey O'Reilly" is what Peg says when she looks inside the safe at the club. I'm not at all sure what that means but I'm using it from now on. Crickey O'Reilly indeed!
"Levithan is coming." Well that doesnt sound good.
Hugh: "What's your name darling?" Peggy: "Agent".
"Whatever happened to a nice cup of tea and a civilized interrogation?"- Peg.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). I dont give a lot of 5's to premiere episodes but "Agent Carter' knocked it out of the park. It had everything I was hoping for. It has a great lead (with a British accent to boot), lots of action and fun villains. The cinematography and fashion are also great. I just hope the rest of the season can reach the high bar that the premiere set. Please leave your thoughts about "Agent Carter" in the notes below.