Note: There will be spoilers in our summary.
Recap
Jarvis trying to make a deal buying something. Turns out it's a ransom negotiation. It was for Howard Stark. The guy that smuggled him back into the country was trying to shake them down for more money. Thanks to Peggy, they managed to get Stark out. She points out his coming back wasn't at the best time. His place is being watched and his other hideouts are being uncovered.
The agents are looking into the dead Russians and the mysterious automatic typewriter that receives messages. The Chief Dooley is headed to Germany to try to get answers. Stark wants to know which of his inventions were recovered so he'll know what's still on the black market. He gives her a newly invented pen camera he just perfected. She uses it later in the agency lab. The pictures show that Stark's inventions are there. He needs her to steal one back, the Blitzkrieg Button. It's meant to shut off all power in a city to prevent bombers knowing where to bomb. The problem is, he didn't get around to figuring out how to turn it back on. He doesn't want New York to go back into the Dark Ages. He gives her a replica to switch out.
In a prison in Germany, the chief is trying to get answers about the two Russian agents that showed up who were supposed to be dead. He asks about a battle and finds out there wasn't one. There was a massacre but it wasn't by the Germans.
Once Peggy gets the button (on a metal orb), she activates the button after realizing Jarvis was lying about the danger of it. The orb opens and she finds a vial with a red liquid. She confronts Stark on his lie. He finally tells her it contains Steve Rogers' blood and she decks him. He tries to say he didn't tell her to protect her because he knows what Steve meant to her because he knows what Cap meant to him. He had the vial since he was part of Project Rebirth. Stark feels the blood could save millions through vaccines and other possibilities. Peggy accuses him of only being concerned about making money off it. She tells Stark he needs to leave her place.
When an assassin makes his way into Peggy's building, her neighbor, Dottie, notices his automatic pistol. She immediately figures out what it is and says she wants it. She then effortlessly and spectacularly kills him.
With Stark gone, Peggy hides the vial in the container in her wall. Her neighbor next door admires her new gun as the dead body lies hidden underneath her bed. At the office, the typewriter starts typing a message.
Thoughts
There were some interesting developments but there were some moments in the episode that just felt a little off. It's great seeing Howard Stark back. All his stolen inventions might not have been retrieved but at least we're starting to move a little beyond that plot point. With Stark back, there was less for Jarvis to do. His few scenes combined with some weaker attempts at humor in the script made the episode feel less smooth. The continued jokes about the 'no men' rule at Peggy's building was wearing a little thin as well. There were too many moments of Stark trying to cozy up with all of Peggy's neighbors.
Where the episode did shine was seeing the agency move forward with their investigation. They may not be as skilled at uncovering the truth as Peggy is but they are starting to see pieces of the big picture. Some of the agents got a tiny bit more screen time which allowed their characters to be fleshed out a little more.
We also have the mystery of the dead Russians along with the massacre that was covered up. The inclusion of Steve's blood served to remind us that the show is tied into the Cinematic Universe. We know Stark lied to her about it. Was this the only thing he lied to her about? Was this what Jarvis alluded to Stark when he said she'd be perfect for what they had planned?
Then there's Dottie. What the heck is her story? It seemed there was more to her when we saw her before. Her graceful moves as she killed the creepy Mr. Mink was very elegant. Some speculation is she could perhaps be tied to the Russians and possibly be someone like Yelena Bolova (they did seem a little Black Widow-ish, like in Iron Man 2). There's also the possibility she's simply working for Leviathan. We'll have to wait to find out what the message was on the typewriter.
And let's not forget about a certain cameo. Not crucial or overly spectacular but always nice to see.
Overall it was a good episode. There were some weaker moments but we had some pretty nice payoffs as well as more character development.
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