Yes, I just referenced the horrendous TV show from the 1990s that S.H.I.E.L.D's leading lady Ming-Na Wen starred in. After about ten minutes of watching skinny actors who look like models try to be badass and fail completely, I lost all hope for this show. Skip forward to the end of the first season and I have to ask, 'Why bother?'

Watching Wen scowl and try to look hardcore has become laughable, and the show's other leading lady, Chloe Bennet, has mannerisms that smack of teenage drama queen, which makes it that much more cringe-worthy when she has lines meant to make her seem super-intelligent.

Clark Gregg is the show's only redeeming element, and even he seems frustrated half the time, not the character, but the actor. His lines don't have any of the weight or wit they do in the movies, and it's hard to watch him try to make such boring writing interesting.

All in all, for me it was impossible to get over the forced and unbelievable acting. The show feels more like a b-reel from the 90s that would air on the WB, than a leg of the MCU. Wen, Bennet, and especially Brett Dalton's acting basically ruin any redeeming qualities the show might have gained now going into the second season.

Casting has always been a huge factor in Whedon's shows, and this show exemplifies a complete 'miss' in that department. Not only are the characters contrived, the actors who play them are almost always sacrificing authenticity in the name of trying to look tough on-screen.

I can't recommend this show to anyone, especially if they're a fan of Coulson otherwise. 4/10