Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.I was ready to be mad at this episode. Really mad. Because let’s face it, the entire promotional campaign for this episode was a big lie. After the very beginning, this episode had nothing to do with Thor: The Dark World. They could have done this episode at any point in the season, with the same Asgardian connection, and it would have been as specifically tied (which is to say, not at all) into Thor 2, since it all dealt with an Asgardian item that had been on Earth for 1000 years and wasn’t at all a part of what happened in that movie.

"No, I don't know Thor, but I did go to summer camp with two of the Warriors Three!"

I’d like to think this is just a case of promo people going wild. Because I could see this episode airing this week, with the same little tie-in it actually did have to Thor 2 and thinking that was pretty cool, if they hadn’t advertised it as a follow up. But okay, let me move on, lest you'll think my rage is influenced by a Berserker staff.Jakob and Petra were completely empty villains (though seeing Erin Way made me think about how much I miss Alphas again) and the whole “Norse pagonist hate group” sounds pretty funny, even if it’s a real thing… which… is it? But what helped make this episode work was Peter MacNicol. The great character actor, known for everything from Ghostbusters II to 24 (and let us never forget Addams Family Values!) was a lot of fun as Dr. Elliot Randolph, an expert in Norse mythology and Asgardians who turned out to be an actual Asgardian. That reveal was a really good one that gave us the most powerful character we’ve seen on this show so far, in a commendably unassuming form.The staff affecting Ward in the way it did was interesting and I wish even more was done with it. I don’t know why this show continues to be so secretive about so much. This was the episode in which we should have simply learned everything about Ward, as far as what happened to his younger brother. Instead, we were given pieces – seeing that a cruel kid (presumably Ward's older brother) apparently threw him down a well and that Ward tried to save his brother but… well, we don’t know what happened next. We still don't know what happened to either of the brothers. Those scenes were certainly harrowing, but why not just tell us the whole story so we can understand Ward more completely? Meanwhile, I’m sure those who hate Skye did enjoy Ward yelling at her, “That’s what you’re here to do. Talk and talk and talk.”

SHIELD Producer on Pacing Secrets

However, I continue to like Ward as a character. He's the boy scout, which is always tough to make interesting, but I think they're adding some nice layers to him. Even the opening, where he was so kind and helpful with a scared Simmons, was a solid touch.There were some very funny bits in this one. Coulson had a great moment, expertly played by Clark Gregg, with his, “Let’s see what we can dig up. …See what I did there?” And I loved MacNichol exclaiming, “No, I don’t know Thor!”Plus, while she still hasn’t had her big spotlight episode, May certainly got some good action at the end of this hour – and yes, I totally went for a bad double entendre there, sorry. But seeing her pick up that staff (no jokes!) and kick ass was very cool, as she maintained her calm self, explaining later to Ward that whatever her own trauma is (yes, more secrets…) she lives with it every day, rather than burying it like he does.But all of that leading up to Ward following her into her hotel room? Did not see that one coming! SHIELD had played a little bit with a potential love triangle with Fitz, Skye and Ward (and maybe a love square if you think Simmons has romantic feelings towards Fitz), but this was a very entertaining and, well, frankly pretty sexy swerve to take and yes, it helped make the character dynamics among this group more complicated and interesting. By the way, I know, I know... we have no idea if they actually hooked up or, you know, discussed which Next Gen system to buy over drinks. But I'm going to assume it was a hook up until we're told otherwise, dang it!As for that final scene, I really want to get some actual information on Coulson soon rather than reminders that something is off, but yeah, I did enjoy the Dollhouse reference -- "Did I fall asleep?" "For a little while" -- and do wonder if we should take that to mean Coulson could have been "programmed" or... it was just a fun in-joke.