With the end of the 2015-2016 television season, unfortunately, comes the end to many of our favorite television shows. One of the year’s casualties was the much beloved Marvel series Agent Carter, which followed fan-favorite Peggy Carter as she navigated post-war life as gracefully as she did the sexism that came with it. Fans are already petitioning for some other network to swoop in and save the show (*cough* Netflix *cough*) though it seems unlikely that a third season will occur anytime soon since series star Hayley Atwell is set to lead ABC’s newly picked-up show Conviction.
Here are 6 things we’ll miss about Agent Carter now that the show is temporarily (I hope) gone.
6. Back to the Present
I think it can pretty confidently be said that part of the novelty of Agent Carter was the fact that it was a show rife with chaos and mystery that did not take place in present-day New York or Los Angeles. Understandably, a vast majority of today’s television is centered around times and places that viewers know and are comfortable with. Having said that, much of Agent Carter’s allure was due to the fact that the show was centered around the people and atmosphere surrounding Peggy in the 1940’s. There is a distinct tone to Agent Carter that is greatly influenced by the era within which the show takes place. It was fun going back in time on Tuesday nights and watching the shenanigans that Peggy got up to mid-SSR and pre-S.H.I.E.L.D.
5. The OG Black Widows
Despite what some toy companies seem to think, everybody loves Black Widow. While the original female Avenger is certainly interesting in her own right, what was particularly great about the world of Agent Carter is that it introduced us to other Black Widows, who were out causing mischief long before Natasha Romanoff. Dottie Underwood in particular was a standout in Agent Carter as one of the few people who could physically and mentally match Peggy. Arguably the closest intellectual/witty/physical equal to Peggy, Dottie was a character that offered another look at the Black Widow program that groomed both her and the future Avenger. Dottie was cunning and wholly entertaining but, even by the close of Agent Carter’s second season, still remained mostly mysterious. More Agent Carter would assumingly mean more of Dottie’s backstory, likely providing a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the Black Widows are formed.
4. The Dynamic Duo
Listen, I think we can all agree that the best onscreen depiction of a platonic love/friendship involves one Peggy Carter and Edwin Jarvis. I have to admit that I myself LOVE a good, “best friends à more than that,” trope, but it it’s also nice to see characters of different genders love and respect each other while happily committed to other people. Peggy and Jarvis are the ultimate partnership, calling each other out and simultaneously being there for one another when nobody else can be.
The two have experienced more together in two short seasons of television than most friends will endure in a lifetime, and have grown beautifully, both individually and as a duo, as a result. What’s particularly disappointing about Agent Carter‘s cancellation is that it came after a season of some of the most poignant and thoughtful exchanges between the SSR agent and Stark’s right-hand man. The humor that surrounded the friendship in Season 1, though not disappearing entirely, was balanced with gritty reality checks that only the truest of friends could provide.
3. That Cliffhanger Ending…
Much of the second season of Agent Carter was tied up in a rather nice bow. Peggy and Sousa finally got together, Jarvis seemingly managed to convince Agent Carter to stay on the West Coast, and Whitney Frost was effectively stopped and put away. Despite this, there was one loose end that many viewers will likely never get an answer two: who shot Agent Thompson and why was he/she so desperate to get their hands on that mysterious, “M. Carter,” file? As has already been mentioned, the M could very well stand for Margaret or Michael. The siblings both served in the war and, while we were told that Michael was killed in action, you know what they say: if you never see the dead body, are they really dead? You never know with Marvel, the company resurrects more people than Dr. Frankenstein, meaning that the mysterious file (and the contents of said file) likely would have played an enormous in the season that never was.
2. There Was Still More Story to Tell
Peggy Carter becomes the founder of S.H.I.E.L.D, lives to the ripe old age of 95, and likely played a pivotal role in molding and mentoring the new wave of Agents we see in the modern Marvel productions. While getting two seasons of television devoted to Peggy Carter is something we should all be grateful for, much of Season 1 dealt with her reintegration into post-war life and mourning the loss of Steve while Season 2 (though certainly entertaining) focused more on her burgeoning love-life than her rising in the ranks of the SSR. Certainly both Seasons’ focus provided a great deal of excitement and entertainment, and gave us a taste of Peggy’s resilience and general prowess, but it would have been nice to see all of the legendary things regarding Agent Carter that have been alluded to in Marvel’s other shows and films. We never got (and might never get) to see how Peggy develops S.H.I.E.L.D, which is a shame considering that particular plot and development would made for a much better tie-in to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
1. Peggy Carter
It would be pretty ridiculous to have an article pertaining to things we’ll miss about Agent Carter without the titular character being at the top of the list. Peggy Carter stole our hearts in Captain America: The First Avenger as she whipped Steve Rogers into Captain America shape, and has steadily been proving herself as one of the most pivotal female characters in entertainment. What’s especially appealing about Peggy is the fact that she encompasses all of the traits that make a strong character strong, and does so despite all of the raging sexism that surrounds her. Peggy is without question the most competent person on Agent Carter and her unwavering resilience was refreshing to see in an era rife with damsels in distress.
To be honest, there are roughly a million reasons why I’ll miss Agent Carter. It was yet another fun Marvel production that was a great show to watch during Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.‘s winter hiatuses (certainly preferable to whatever reality show drivel will take the time slot next year). There were ups and downs, like all shows have, but with a character like Peggy Carter taking center stage, each episode could be assured to have a moment or two that resonated with audiences. Agent Carter was the platform that Margaret Carter needed in order to step out of Steve Rogers’ shadow and solidify herself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as one of the most strong and capable characters, both male and female alike, that we’ve seen on screen.
What will you miss most about Agent Carter? Let us know over on Twitter or in the comments below!