But I've been talking with a guy over on Facebook about the merits and values and cultural assumptions of X-Files and Agents of SHIELD. They both come at the "Men in Black" thing from different places, governmental conspiracies and other such memes as well.

I do think we need both of these shows on the cultural stages of the world, precisely because of that difference of perspective.

In the process of reaching that conclusion with the other gent, I had a thought or two about SHIELD-as-TV-series and what I want from that in the months or years to come. If they can get to it between disruptions by assorted Marvel movies' plotline requirements. Which isn't guaranteed.

One: Skye's coming around to Coulson's way of thinking about various issues seemed a bit rushed. Which we can tie back to Winter Soldier to some extent. What I want is for both Skye and Coulson to find on occasion that maybe that rush has had its bad consequences for both of them. (Granted that Coulson's own TAHITI-related issues may have helped push him in Skye's political direction somewhat. Perhaps not far enough, given how fast Coulson got his answers about that.)

Two: The whole core team needs their own Sidney Freedman. Or Simon LaGrieve from the old Ostrander-written Suicide Squad comics. Psychological counselling, competently delivered no matter how weird the situation for the lead characters got. Even if the characters had to ignore the counsel for whatever reasons.

Not sure that Marvel would go that route, not with the back half of this year's episodes already probably half "in the can", but I want it.