I like ScarJo as Black Widow more than I've ever liked her in anything else, but that's a low bar since in general, she is not my cup of tea. (Can't let my Lost in Translation hate go. Never forget!) So, I'm actually really OK with her not showing up on my shiny, new TV show. I suppose I wouldn't mind Jeremy Renner. He's usually a good time. But I also don't think it's essential. I'm cool with getting to know these new people and so far the name dropping and sly references are clever rather than cloying. I'm really glad that there are no supes floating around. I think it works from a story standpoint, and I'd also be worried about winding up with lousy effects on a TV budget.

I don't blame ScarJo for Black Widow being a crap action hero, but some people stack the deck in their favour by just existing (cf aforementioned Jennifer Garner, Michelle Rodriguez, Kelly Hu) and some people execute crisply enough that I nod and go with the ride (Ming-Na Wen, say).

But I've never been impressed with her acting anyway.

Earlier I found this funny exchange with Ming-Na:

HitFix: As a last question: This is very important... If you are writing or texting to friends or loved ones about this show, do you include all of the darned periods in "S.H.I.E.L.D."?

Ming-Na Wen: [Long period of laughter.] Oh gosh. I'd have to say "No." You know, that's five extra types! But yeah. They do stand for something! It is an acronym.

HitFix: Absolutely. I'm just sharing the frustration of being a writer and a headline writer who has to deal with this one.

Ming-Na Wen: See, you *have* to do it. [She laughs more.] We all have a job to do, Dan. You're on a higher level of accuracy than I am in that area.

The big thing for me was that Melinda May (and Mind Na) got to shine, as I'd been fervently hoping she would. Everything else was gravy once they gave me that.

I'm in it for Coulson and May, at this point. I'm fine with none of the established superheroes showing up. The references are enough.

It gets hot in the jungle. So hot. Steamy.

This made me think of "Decontam scene."

I wonder if "it's a magical place," is just Coulson's sense of humor. It may actually be a place that runs on magic/asguardian science/gummy bears, and it amuses him to say that, knowing that no one will think he's being literal.

So, other than LMD!Coulson, or Clone!Coulson, any other thoughts? Sarcophagus? Pixie dust? Heart of the TARDIS?

I would like to believe Coulson has a pretty good idea of how he's alive, and keeping it close to his vest.

I should also stop by Bureaucraxy and ask if we might want to put SHIELD in the description for this thread.

BTW, In SNAFU and NORAD and other military acronyms can be used without the periods, we can use SHIELD.

"AoS" for show short form?

In SNAFU and NORAD and other military acronyms can be used without the periods, we can use SHIELD

The precedent isn't the military (they follow precious few of those anyway), it's marketing.

So, other than LMD!Coulson, or Clone!Coulson, any other thoughts? Sarcophagus? Pixie dust? Heart of the TARDIS?

Coulson came back WRONG.

Coulson came back TAHITIAN.

Coulson came back a DOLL.