The Real Deal (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

"The Real Deal" is the 12th episode of the fifth season, and the 100th episode overall, of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D., it follows Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as he reveals the details of his bargain with the Ghost Rider, while they deal with a space-time rift that manifests their worst fears. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and acknowledges the franchise's films. The episode was written by Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jeffrey Bell, and directed by Kevin Tancharoen.

On November 22, 2017, before the season premiered, Jeph Loeb announced that the series' 100th episode would include "a significant event" for the series.^[1] On February 21, 2018, Marvel announced that the episode would be titled "The Real Deal", and that it would be directed by Kevin Tancharoen and written by executive producers Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jeffrey Bell.^[2] For "The Real Deal", the 100th episode of the series, instead of the normal title sequence of the season, the series' title featured a montage of all title cards used throughout the series by the episode's airing.

Writing

Whedon and Tancharoen described the episode as "an emotional game changer" that would affect the season to the point that "nothing will be the same after" it,^[3] while Bell said that the episode features "a device that grows out of [the] current storyline and plot that allows [people] to look back" to the series' early seasons, as well as "turn over a couple cards that people will be excited about and then also celebrate the show and people on it", and Loeb said that the episode ends with "stories that perhaps [viewers] didn't even know we haven't revealed". Tancharoen said that the final scene in which Fitz and Simmons are married was included because the creators, after 100 episodes, felt a necessity to do it, which Bell supported by stating that, while writing the episode, "[they] sat down and thought, as fans, what are the kinds of things [they] would want to see? Part of that is paying homage to where we've come from, part of that is a couple of "oh my God" moments, and something looking toward the future that is hopefully something emotional". Whedon said that the episode was written "for those people who had watched them all". Whedon also said that the episode's reveal that Deke is Fitz and Simmons' grandson was put because "[i]t was a way of not just celebrating that they're getting married, but of showing that this isn't just the hope of a happy ending, there actually is one already attending the wedding. To [the writer], it was not just a cool reveal, but a way of seeing their love manifested".^[4]

The episode also revealed that Coulson is dying due to the Ghost Rider burning the Kree blood that resurrected him. Whedon said that Coulson came to terms with his death, and that "[i]t's something he actually had to come to terms with a long time ago when he was discovering the T.A.H.I.T.I. Project and everything that had been done to him", and felt the character "wants to go through any of that again. He's ready for nature to take its course. [People] can sense from everybody else in the episode that they're not as willing to let go as he seems to be. Some of that will play out. What happens, [people]'ll have to wait and see, but he seems as much at peace with it as you can be considering there's so much he's done in a world that thinks he's dead", though he also felt Coulson isn't "excited for it".^[4]

The episode also introduced a "Fear Dimension", which Whedon said that it was added "to keep [the] team together and have them only facing their internal demons, not to have some outside threat. It was more about a 'pressure cooker' featuring [the characters]". while Bell said that it was also added as "a way for [the production crew] to do 'Greatest Hits', without just doing clips of, "Wow! Remember when...?" It was a way to remind the audience of people and things [the characters] dealt with in the past, and who [they have] become. And with respect to Coulson, it really questioned everything that has happened for the last 100 episodes". Whedon said that "[the writers] ended up getting exactly who we wanted" in featuring Mike Peterson / Deathlok, with Bell stating that "[t]he beautiful thing about J. August [Richards returning] as Mike Peterson is that was [the character's] first case as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. It really launched the show. And the fact that he came back as both Mike Peterson and as Deathlok was a lot of fun for [the writers]", and Tancharoen stated that "It was a way to bring it full circle".^[5]

Casting

In February 2018, Marvel revealed that main cast members

"The Real Deal" was first aired in the United States on ABC on March 9, 2018.^[2]

Marketing

Marvel released three roundtable discussions to promote the episode. The roundtables were hosted by

The episode, along with the rest of the fifth season, began streaming on Netflix in the United States on June 17, 2018.^[12]

Reception

Ratings

In the United States the episode received a 0.5/2 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, meaning that it was seen by 0.5 percent of all households, and 2 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast. It was watched by 2.04 million viewers during its initial broadcast.^[13] Within a week of its release, "The Real Deal" had been watched by 3.78 million U.S. viewers,^[14] above the season average of 3.57 million.^[15]

Critical response

Matt Flower of IGN gave the episode an "Amazing" 9.0 rating, writing that the series "went big for its landmark 100th episode, though not in the way you might think. Yes, there was plenty of action, and various elements of danger, but this was a very internal and personal episode with some very grand and wonderful emotional moments", and praising Gregg's performance, stating that "it was very moving" when Coulson was confronted by Deathlok's illusion self, and called the scene in which Daisy confronts Coulson "the most wrenching scene of the episode", and felt that the wedding scene made the episode "even more of an emotional scrambler".^[16] Marc Buxton, of Den of Geek, gave the episode a positive review, saying "Marvel has turned a cast of unknowns into some of the most beloved characters in the MCU". He called the episode "self-contained", praising its detraction from the season's main plots. Buxton also noted the episode's reflection on the series' progression adding, "All in all, shocking reveals, a pleasant trip into nostalgia, and an intense mission all remind us why this show has endured".^[17]

Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club graded the episode a "B−", and discussed Kevin Tancharoen's direction, saying "it suggests he's more versatile with action than with tear-jerking character beats". He criticised the pacing of the episode, and the season as a whole, saying that it's "only fitfully successful, a reminder the series is struggling to nail its pacing this season." He also compared Phil Coulson, as a central figure, to Buffy Summers, questioning whether the series could continue after his possible departure: "Phil Coulson is Buffy, not Daisy. He's the central figure around which everyone else pivots, and this episode... actually reinforced how crucial his presence is."^[18] Danny Hale of Flickering Myth gave a positive review, saying that the episode manages to "deliver some emotional confrontations and new revelations all the while harkening back to the show's roots". However, he noted the episode's pacing issues. Hale singled out Clark Gregg for praise, noting he gives "an extremely moving performance and perfectly conveyed how this man is losing his grasp as Daisy berates him". He also highlighted the wedding between Fitz and Simmons as "perfectly understated".^[19] Christina Roberts of Culturess wrote that while the episode "was not as game-changing as the last game-changing episode" it nevertheless "fits for the 100th episode — a lot of grandiose speeches, all the feels, and then a fun, giant nugget of truth at the end". She singled out Chloe Bennet's performance for praise, noting that "it's an episode that hurts. Chloe Bennet makes you feel Daisy's pain in every word she says".^[20]

Notes