Chapters: 1/?
Fandom: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Leo Fitz/Jemma Simmons
Characters: Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz, Skye | Daisy Johnson, LT Koenig
Additional Tags: the bus kids are back bayBEE, For a bit anyway, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, SWORD Organization (Marvel), Implied/Referenced Character Death, fitzsimmons in spaaAAAce (to the tune of bowies in space), Leo Fitz-centric, POV Leo Fitz, Not Beta Read, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Friendship, weird unrequited yet not quite unrequited mutual love
Series: Part 6 of A Fistful of Fitzes
Summary:
Fitz can’t bear to live in a world without Jemma Simmons in it. After the devastating loss of his best friend, the only thing to do is to leave the world. He thinks time and distance might have healed his wounds until an unexpected visitor asks for permission to board his space station.
Tangential sequel to "Thwarted by an Align Star" but can be (or should be?) read alone.
Fitz remembered that while he was just a man, he was a man of grit and determination. A “stubborn jackass,” as Jemma used to call him in the heat of some debates. Grinning at the memory, he imagined how amused she’d be now at his bold resolutions of quitting cold turkey like this. Yes, she’d sit right there next to him and pat his knee in that condescending, adorable way of hers. Maybe shake her head with a teasing grin.
some of them are short, others are shorter, they are amazing at cod, and just generally the best agents shield has ever seen, without a doubt. now, decide which member of this illustrious family can rightfully be called the king of the koenigs!
(yeah btw koenig is the german word for king, so i thought that was really funny)
Three very important things happen in this episode:
Bobbi and Hunter are namechecked for what I believe is the first time since their very lamented departure.
The Superior Bigot is introduced.
The thematic foundation of the Framework arc is laid.
Number 3 is where the episode shines on rewatch.
We all have programming. It may be more obvious in my case, but what is a human if not a function of programming? -- Radbot
What indeed. The theme of nature vs nurture and the influence exerted by the people in one’s life had already been touched upon in Ward’s story (which is why he’ll be back, ultimately), and will be central to the Framework, and especially Fitz’s part in it.
What makes us who we are is such a powerful question and scifi/fantasy shows are uniquely equipped to tackle it, since they can have completely different versions of the characters to play with, whether it’s an alternate universe, a new timeline or a computer simulation.
Radcliffe’s answer is that everything’s programming. How we are raised, who we befriend, the events in our lives, this is what makes us, us. Which also means that the Doctor isn’t Fitz. They share the “hardware” (or, well, they would if the Doctor wasn’t a digital construct) but not the “software”, and it’s the software that matters. It’s both a comforting answer and a very unsettling one, because it means anyone can become a monster.
The show’s answer...I’m still not entirely sure. Especially when considering the whole run of the show and not just the Framework arc. Maybe I’ll have an idea when I rewatch the relevant episodes. You know, in a decade or two. 🤭
This is also the episode where Fitz joined the “difficult childhood” club, as we learn that his dad was an abusive asshole who abandoned him when he was ten and is the root of Fitz’s insecurities, woven in the character since S1.
Coulson’s dad died when he was nine. Ward’s parents were abusive monsters. Deke lost his mom as a kid, had a resentful relationship with his dad because of it and grew up in a post-apocalyptic society. And of course Daisy grew up without parents, was abandoned over and over by her foster families and chances are a few of those were abusive since she compared her childhood to Ward’s.
With what we just learned of Yo-Yo’s childhood trauma in 7x08, this leaves only May, Jemma and Mack growning up in more or less “normal” circumstances. Except there’s now a new timeline where Mack was orphaned at four.😩
In addition to the groundwork for the Framework arc, the episode also features the first Philinda kiss (but it’s not real because it’s the Maybot and I bet that went over well 😂), more Koenigs than probably anyone had ever asked for, Mack’s unabashed hate of robots and a nice bit of investigative work by Daisy, who pulls all the Watchdogs threads together to arrive at the man behind them.
With a monicker like “The Superior”, I’m not sure what I expected but his little speech about Inhumans who didn’t “earn” their gifts makes him sound like those sports fans who bash supremely talented athletes in favour of those *they* perceive to be less naturally gifted because of course it’s so easy to become a champion when you are born with a lot of talent. As if it still didn’t require long years of training, dedication and sacrifices to become that good.
Plus, his obsession with Coulson as the source of all his hurt feelings is looney bin material.
Speaking as someone who also has a bit of a tendency to hyperfixate on fictional individuals, Anton? Get. A. Life. 😁
Stuff:
I'm not going to let this come between us. What's the occasional bullet in the head among friends? You know, that wouldn’t be the worst attitude to keep at S.H.I.E.L.D., considering. 😁
You need to understand...I'm the victim. Things are not as they seem. I’m not ashamed to admit I believed him. It would have been just like Radcliffe to get in over his head and then of course going from the pan to the fire.
Yeah, well, Koenigs don't break. All right? We're programmed to take pain, so bring it on! Bring it on! [Boom guy leaves] Oh, my God. I'm in so much pain. 🤣🤣🤣
Agent Koenig, welcome aboard.-- Agent Coulson, Agent May...A... Agent...Quake. Ah, yes, Sam, as usual, is my kindred Koenig. He’s the one that was fanboying over May way back in S2. And had the Star Wars sheets and the sci-fi socks collection. *And* was hiding behind the bar in this ep.😁
You're getting all Gollum-y again. -- Well, that's ... that's what the Darkhold does to you ... it drives you mad. Hate to say it, but this excuse is getting a little thin, my dear Dr. Radcliffe.
The old ways are better. [...] Man is the superior machine. And I...am the superior man. Oh, shut up.🙄
Speaking Latin and jerky body movements? You don’t need hacking, Fitz, you need an exorcism.
Where's Daisy when we need her? Where Jemma Simmons is me.
Speaking of Daisy, her choice of eye makeup has lighten up which I take it to mean that she’s feeling better about herself. Not that anyone’s going to ask her.😒
You don't need to protect me, Phil. -- I know. But I've lost too much lately. I'm not gonna lose you. *Philinda intensifies*
But you’re... you’re a superhero! I mean, that’s so awesome! Ikr? Sam is fanboying over Quake the way Skye was fangirling over Mike Peterson. Young Skye so needed to meet her older, superpowered self and annoy the crap out of her.
Trust? You betrayed me. [...] Betrayed me, betrayed S.H.I.E.L.D., he made me lie to you, and he made me think he was my friend. Just to use me. Just like Ward, feels like it could follow here.
You've been programmed ... by betrayal, abandonment... Ward, who you thought was your friend, Daisy who left you all, your father... Kindly leave Daisy out of this?
These Inhumans... they did not suffer, labor to become what they are.They have great power... but they didn't earn it. Watch S2 and then come back to me.
There's another one? -- No, not just another one.The first one. L.T. got us all into S.H.I.E.L.D. Not necessarily in contrast with Granpa Koenig becoming a proto S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in the 1930s but obviously the latest Koenig development wasn’t the plan at this stage (and maybe it should count as a ripple, if not a wave).
So you're telling me with all the tools and tech that S.H.I.E.L.D. has at its disposal, we can't find [his father]? -- We could. But Fitz doesn't want to. And believe me, it is for the best. Thoroughly unpleasant fellow and terrible influence.
Maybe we should toast to that. -- We've been, uh, making a lot of toasts lately. Maybe we should try something else. [starts leaning for a kiss] -- Guys, I think you need to get in here. Oh, excellent timing there, Daisy! 😁
Welcome to the inside of my mind, Sheeple. [...] you're being programmed through little screens, big screens, little morphine drips of sequels and prequels and zombies and Kanyes, Snapchats and Grumpy Cats, all designed by the media, corporate S.H.I.E.L.D. machine, and you're asleep, binge-watching the Apocalypse! Can you imagine what Thurston would make of 2020?
I don't want anything to do with your Agents of Doom. Thurston is a Feige fanboy, confirmed. 😁
Now, let's not lose our heads. The last guy who was fond of this phrase usually followed it up with very gory murder....
Maybe I'm stuck in a loop. Radcliffe...Ward... my dad...they're all the same. It keeps happening. Well, you’re also in a (sort of) spy show, Fitz. Nice to see you don’t hold a grudge against Mack (and Bobbi) for the Real S.H.I.E.L.D. business, though.
There was a lot of crying. [...] I picked on them.It was fun. The laundry was disgusting. Enough DNA to make a clone army. Ewww. The very definition of TMI.
I never read “Ulysses”. I always wanted to take a month off, go to Ireland, read it in pubs. Someday. You know, this wouldn’t be a half-bad final scene for whatever kind of Coulson might survive S7.
[the “Ulysses” in Irish pubs] it’s a little nerdy. Like that’d shocked her?😂
You're not May. -- Why would you say that? -- Because there's some things you can't fake. So. LMDs are bad kissers. At least this iteration of them. Jury’s out on the new and improved model.
Every time something strange happens in the world, it is there. I believe it is responsible for all of the alien problems on this planet. The Chitauri, the Kree, Inhumans. -- What is it? -- A man. He is always there. He is dead. Yet he is everywhere. Seriously, dude...just get a life.
Y’all, I just took Sudafed at 11pm because I’m having an allergic reaction to something (strawberries probably long story) and anyway Sudafed HYPES. ME. UP. But also it’s the only thing I can take because I’m also allergic to Benadryl.
TLDR: I’m doped up and ready to watch this episode when I should be going to sleep WOOOOOOO
Getting good use of Disney’s ownership of Star Wars I see
The Russians are after the Keonigs and honestly this totally fits my life right now
Not Billy! He’s my favorite Keonig!
Jk I can’t tell them apart
Well they figured out Radcliffe is ganged up with Nadeer bloop
Jemma and Mack are over. it.
“Things are not as they seem” lawd is that the understatement of the year
Ha ha Billy is super funny but also DON’T TRUST RADCLIFFE EVER
They’re in a freaking submarine?? OMG that’s totally normal
But also Radcliffe is being really obvious trying to get the book location out of him
John Hannah is like acting the heck out of this robot scene
Keonig reads Black Widow/Quake fics #relatable
Robot!Radcliffe goes for the low blows
But also SHUT UP
:( My heart hurts for Fitz
I’m assuming the “LT” in “LT Keonig” stands for “Little Turd”
Mack and Jemma want to have words with Fitz’s dad and like BRUH
Be careful what you wish for
Robot!May wants to makeout mwahahahaha
Snaps for this conspiracy theory slam poetry
LT IS A LADY GASP
I take back the Little Turd comment
Now I’m thinking it stands for Lady Tussle
Well the Aida murderless streak is over
Allergy update: I think my swollen lip has gone down. It’s definitely less itchy. But my hype level is still like +5 Hype so
I love Jemma’s little speech to Fitz awwww so sweet
SHE IS THE BEST
I like to think my brain is bright and sparkly too
“Enough DNA to make a clone army” ummmmmmmmmmm
THEY KNOW ABOUT MAY
Robot!May is thirsty AF but I’m guessing that robot tongue is full functional and lifelike
I do feel for Robot!May though. She doesn’t want to be part of this.
Pow pow
RADCLIFFE HAS THE DARKHOLD NOOOOOOOOOOO
Also don’t make robots if you’re not going to treat them responsibly
I wish we saw more of LT she’s a cool lady
The Russians want to...kill Coulson?
That’s kind of anticlimactic really
I mean it’s nothing against Coulson, but that’s really what’s driving a sub full of Russian baddies??
Ok I guess
Well we’re back down in the -1000/10 range on the Aida Shenanigans scale because...yeah...murderbot. Jemma Simmons rates a 500/10 on the Good Girlfriend scale for being just what Fitz needed. Meanwhile, the Koenigs all get my Potentially Most Fun Family Thanksgiving Dinner Award. I wanna be there y’all.
My song choice for this episode is the “Cantina Band” from Star Wars:A New Hope by John Williams as I’m pretty sure this is exactly what was playing in Billy’s head as he chased around his sedative induced puppy.
I need more Koenig content in season 7 and I think it would be very good and funny if they were just...there. In the 1930′s. No explanation. Nobody is sure if they time traveled or if they have always been there. Everyone is too afraid to ask
