Classic. November sweeps season is on its way for television, which means studios are pulling out all the stops. What will ABC be doing for “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?” Well, there is one upcoming Marvel film that comes out in November, “Thor: The Dark World.” It’s official: Marvel has announced that “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” will be doing a crossover episode with the upcoming ‘Thor’ sequel. Hell, fans rejoice, right? This is what they’ve dreamed of since this ABC spin-off series was announced.
Well, for ABC, the announcement sure makes sense for November sweeps—trying to create buzz and all—but mmm, maybe not so fast. While “Thor: The Dark World” hits theaters November 8 and the episode of ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ titled “The Well,” airs Nov. 19, it’s also confirmed that neither Chris Hemsworth nor anyone from the ‘Dark World’ cast will appear as part of the episode. Buh? Instead, “The Well” will take place after the events of ‘The Dark World’ which maybe means dead-but-not-dead Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his team of ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ agents get to investigate a crater or some such aftermath? Exciting.
The episode will be directed by a TV sci-fi icon, actor/director Jonathan Frakes (Commander William T. Riker of “Star Trek: The Next Generation“). He previously directed an episode of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse.” There are lots of guests confirmed for the episode, but none of them are named Natalie Portman or even comic-relief Kat Dennings. Regardless, confirmed guests include Peter MacNicol as Professor Elliot Randolph, Michael Graziadei as Jakob Nystrom, Erin Way as Petra Larsen, Toby Wilson as Neils, Alex Neustaedter as Maynard and Sylvia Brindis as Elena. Personally, the crossover is really frustrating, a typical hollow TV sweeps move, but maybe fans disagree?
Meanwhile, here’s a preview of next week’s episode “FZZT,” where Coulson grapples with his death. Here’s ABC’s description: “Not many Agents know more about death than Phil Coulson. He’s been there. So when he encounters a firefighter who’s facing down his own demise, he knows how to talk to the man. If this special preview has you worried, you should be, because the team is not safe from what they’re dealing with this time.”