MARVEL-OUS SPOILERS AHEAD

Nostalgia is a central theme in this episode of Agents of SHIELD, whether its from how the opening mission of the story (Phil Coulson and Melinda May going to a fundraiser in disguise as a couple) has shades of decades old program Mission: Impossible or Coulson reminiscing about a cup of coffee he and May never got to have. For the most part, it’s a successfully integrated element that manages to do interesting things with characters like Coulson and May.

But of course, there’s more to this episode than just a recurring use of nostalgia. There’s also the actual plot, revolving around a painting that has the strange alien symbols Phil Coulson (and crazed deceased HYDRA agent John Garrett) scribbled down. The first attempt to grab it involves the aforementioned opening mission of the tale, which is easily the weakest part of the story. None of its that engaging, and it’s a shame that they couldn’t use this opportunity to let the team work as a unit in this scenario, instead opting for them to work for the most part on separate mini-missions to help Coulson and May to get into the gala.

However, the moment General Talbots HYDRA connection is revealed, the episode picks up the pace considerably, returning to the energy and fun the rest of the season had had and then some. The episode makes a smart move having the rest of the episode focus on Melinda May, a character that was given surprisingly little to do last season despite her supposed history of badassery. Here though, she gets to be the crux of the shows best fight scene so far; her dueling with a HYDRA agent disguised as herself.

Yep, HYDRA has now taken to “master of disguise” level of espionage (and despite how many punches Melinda May took in the fight, I can’t imagine it being as painful as watching The Master of The Disguise), and they do so in a clever manner by utilizing that face disguise technology used by Black Widow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Nice way to tie-in to the larger universe, but also set up that exhilarating scene of dual combat, which is thankfully shot in an extremely clear way that eschews shaky-cam and other tricks of its kind.

Fitz also gets to shine this week, reaffirming his place as the best part of the season, and maybe even the series. Fitz is having trouble socializing, and I must admit, as a guy who grew up as a socially challenged lad, scenes with him watching the other agents conversing from a distance, unable to participate hit home for me. But not only does he get to be a part of saving the crew, but he gets really well executed final scene where Mac and Lance thank him for saving their lives, and want to just socialize with him. It’s the little things that make this scene great, notably the moment where Fitz looks over to Simmons, who smiles and waves her hand for him to go and mingle, looks over at Mac and Lance, and turns back to find Simmons gone. It’s a surprisingly deep idea that I’m proud of the show for utilizing, let alone doing so in such an emotionally effective manner.

Nostalgia is a powerful force, but no amount of nostalgia could make me think that many of the episodes from Season 1 of Agents of SHIELD were equivalent to what we’ve seen from the show this go around. The episode has a flawed start, but it does a great job making use of characters like Fitz and May in exciting ways that keep things interesting. And good God, if more action sequences like the one with Melinda May are in the shows future, I’ll be giddy as all out.