“Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD” Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: “The Patriot”
How much do you want to know about Director Mace? Because this week’s “Agents of SHIELD” has his background tied up in a neat little package.
You know, Agents of SHIELD certainly likes to go with the high stakes and super secret, need-to-know basis kind of things coming to light. We’ve got you covered for this week’s episode, “The Patriot.”
Let’s get to know Director Mace a little bit better.
Not-So-Short Recap and Discussion
Mace is holding a press conference to honor Daisy and all she did while she was “undercover.” General Talbot is there to gloat for helping cover. But a SHIELD agent is missing from the nearby rooftop and a sniper goes after Mace. Coulson and Mack take him to a safe house.
With Mace not at HQ, Talbot takes it upon himself to run SHIELD. “Find a science-y way for me to get in contact with our men on the ground!” he commands.
Image via ABC
Because on the way to the safe house, the quinjet loses an engine and crash lands. It’s not a coincidence they’ve crashed after the assassination attempt. It’s all connected! Mace wants to find Burrows, who flew out the side of the jet when the engine went down.
And Mace is a little too adamant about finding the briefcase. Even the President calls Talbot once he learns of the crash to ask whether the briefcase is secure.
The moment Mace has the briefcase, he bolts for cover and attempts to inject himself with one of the vials inside. Because he’s not actually Inhuman. He doesn’t actually have any powers at all.
Image via ABC
It’s a serum uniquely calibrated for his DNA, and it was General Talbot who was behind it. Why fake his abilities? Because the new Director needed to be enhanced. They used a manipulation of what Daisy’s dad, Cal Zabo, used to take to turn into Dr. Hyde. But, you know, they took out all the bad stuff first.
When the operatives show up for round two against Coulson, Mack, and Mace, Mace suits up in his Patriot suit and basically pretends to have powers to distract them from Mack blowing up their truck.
They get out of the tight situation when Daisy and May show up. When everyone arrives back at HQ, Coulson and Talbot go at it, but Mace kicks Talbot out and has a heart-to-heart with our favorite SHIELD agent.
As it turns out, that whole “Hero of Vienna” thing he has going for him is a total lie. But what’s nice to hear is that he truly believes in Inhuman equality and that he can help bring it.
Image via ABC
That’s when Coulson decides to keep Mace as the PR Director and he can become the day-to-day Operations Director. It’s a win-win-win!
Also, Radcliffe is confined to his house for the time being. Real May wakes up and immediately runs into Aida, who attempts to strangle her to death. May gets in a few good kicks (it’s our “Badass Moment of the Week”), but they eventually sedate her.
Post-Credits Stinger
LMD!May has a huge gash in her shoulder where she landed on a table saw. She peels back the wound to find the mechanics below her skin.
Badass Moment of the Week
As May gets strangled by Aida, Radcliffe attempts to come in and inject her with the sedative. But she lands a heavy kick to his chest, and he flies back and smashes his head on the corner of the table. Pretty good for being two feet off the ground!
Best One-Liner
“With the possible exception of my mother, you are the single most intimidating woman I’ve ever met,” Talbot tells LMD!May.
There’s a bit of an embarrassing scene when Mace makes a comment about feeling bad for Coulson and Mack being unprotected out in the unknown. “You think we need your protection?” Mack remarks.
It’s fun to watch Mace backpedal. He’s talking to an agent who’s dealt with aliens, Inhumans, and being inhabited by the spirit of Ghost Rider and the ex-Director of SHIELD, who battled alongside the Avengers and also has come back from the dead.
Mace literally has nothing on them and he knows it.
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Next week’s Agents of SHIELD looks to be a huge head to head battle in a lot of different regards. May versus LMD!May! Fitz versus Simmons! Aida versus May! SHIELD in handcuffs versus Senator Nadeer!