Seeds (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

"Seeds" is the twelfth episode of the first season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), revolving around the character of Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they investigate attempted murder at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science Academy. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The episode was written by Monica Owusu-Breen and Jed Whedon, and directed by Kenneth Fink.

Clark Gregg reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, and is joined by series regulars Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, and Elizabeth Henstridge.

"Seeds" originally aired on ABC on January 14, 2014, and according to Nielsen Media Research, was watched by 6.37 million viewers.

Plot

While at a S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy Ward, Fitz, Simmons, and Skye investigate an attack upon Seth, a popular cadet, with an "ice machine" that can freeze people and their surroundings. Another ice machine soon freezes cadet Donnie Gill, though the agents are able to save him. While the rest of the team interrogates the other cadets, Fitz befriends Donnie, seeing much of himself in him, and helps him solve a problem with a new power source. Meanwhile, Coulson and May go to Mexico City to find a former agent named Richard Lumley, who tells them of a mission 24 years earlier involving Skye, an 0-8-4 with apparent superhuman abilities. The team deduces that the cadets are building a bigger ice machine for Quinn, and with the better power source, Seth and Donnie give Quinn a demonstration, creating a massive ice storm. Though the team apprehends Donnie, Seth is killed by the storm, and Donnie gains apparent cryokinetic abilities. Later, Coulson calls Quinn, who has connections to the Clairvoyant.

Production

Development

In December 2013, Marvel revealed that the twelfth episode would be titled "Seeds", and would be written by Monica Owusu-Breen and executive producer Jed Whedon, with Kenneth Fink directing.^[1]

Casting

In December 2013, Marvel revealed that main cast members Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, and Elizabeth Henstridge would star as Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Grant Ward, Skye, Leo Fitz, and Jemma Simmons, respectively.^[1] It was also revealed that the guest cast for the episode would include David Conrad as Ian Quinn, Christine Adams as Agent Anne Weaver, Dylan Minnette as Donnie Gill, Daniel Zovatto as Seth Dormer, Boyd Kestner as Richard Lumley, Zachary Burr Abel as Tad and Maiara Walsh as Callie Hannigan.^[1] Kestner and Abel did not receive guest star credit in the episode. Conrad reprises his role from earlier in the series.^[2]

Marvel Cinematic Universe tie-ins

Skye notes the inclusion of Bucky Barnes on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Wall of Valor memorial, ahead of his prominent role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.^[3]

Release

Broadcast

"Seeds" was first aired in the United States on ABC on January 14, 2014.^[4]

Home media

The episode, along with the rest of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first season, was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 9, 2014. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentary, deleted scenes, and a blooper reel.^[5] On November 20, 2014, the episode became available for streaming on Netflix.^[6]

Reception

Ratings

In the United States the episode received a 2.2/6 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, meaning that it was seen by 2.2 percent of all households, and 6 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast. It was watched by 6.37 million viewers.^[4]

References

External links

• "Seeds" at ABC
• "Seeds" at the Internet Movie Database
• "Seeds" at TV.com