REVIEW: Agent Carter (S1E4): 'The Blitzkrieg Button'

Agent Carter has exceeded expectations so far creating a time and world all its own. The adventures of Peggy Carter has surpassed the exploits of her modern day counterparts of SHIELD in execution and fun. It's inevitable that there'd be a dip in the action-packed series.

Even without some major action sequence, Carter delivered with a solid episode that exposed some interesting tidbits. Horndog genius millionaire Howard Stark was back and hiding out at Peggy's. Dominic Cooper's sleazy charm and Hayley Atwell's constant eye-rolling results in an entertaining duet between the two. There's genuine chemistry there that brings out the best in both talented actors. Whether it's for comedic effect or dramatic plot development. The latter was quite explosive as Peggy laid into Stark for hiding some important information. 

This was a highlight of the episode as Stark is forced to tell Peggy why he needs a certain device taken from police custody. It turns out it holds a vial of Captain America's blood. The fact that Stark and Jarvis would keep this from Peggy sends her on a tirade. The subsequent argument is an emotionally charged one that despite Stark's protest and saying he was trying to spare her feelings the betrayal in Peggy's voice is evident and heart-wrenching. 

She cut into him pretty deep emphasizing his selfishness and greed. It was a defining moment in their relationship. Where there was once a semblance of trust is eroded the next moment. Atwell's delivery was convincing, the anger and pain  conveyed through her tone and eyes. Once again Atwell shined as the complex Carter in a world where trust and honesty elude her. 

Of course, there's Agent Thompson's blunt assessment that Peggy will never be thought of as an equal by men. He's been put in charge while Dooley is off to Nuremberg to interrogate a Nazi prisoner who was in Russia at the same Stark was and possibly at a location where many men were torn apart by something. Internet sleuths speculate it could have been the handiwork of the Winter Soldier. The same group of deep thinkers are saying that Dottie's sudden emergence as a deadly, but graceful, killing machine is also the Black Widow, Yelena Belova.

Both great guesses because if it's one thing Marvel loves is continuity and a shared universe. Thus, the eventual ties to current plotlines. We'll see how "it's all connected" but for an episode that felt like a table-setter  it was still pretty compelling and very well executed. It all leads to the next episode as Peggy reunites with the Howling Commandos in Russia. How's that for a tease? 

Check out scenes from 'The Iron Ceiling' in the video and synopsis below: 

Marvel's Agent Carter 1x05 "The Iron Ceiling" - Peggy is finally trusted with a mission and calls upon her trusted Howling Commandos squad for backup. But her cover could be at risk when SSR Chief Dooley also sends Agent Thompson with her, on 'Marvel's Agent Carter,' Tuesday, February 3rd on ABC.