'Agents of SHIELD' - Keep The Faith!

I do not AT ALL envy the crew of "Agents of SHIELD."

The show had incredibly crazy, unrealistic expectations placed on it. Not only is it part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one of the biggest phenomena currently making the pop culture rounds, but it also bears the name of Joss Whedon, the deserving king of a cult of slavishly devoted fans.

Between the awesomeness of the Marvel movies (especially last summer's "The Avengers") and the name of the man behind cult favorites "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the short-lived "Firefly" attached to it, "Agents of SHIELD" premiered under a microscope, and it seems like every week there are more blog entries and articles about whether the show can make it, or if it's disappointing fans too much.

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But don't fear, fellow nerds - keep the faith, and I think "Agents of SHIELD" will pay off for us.

A Rad Bromance: Pop Culture's Platonic Pairs

In general, I'm a pretty big fan of romance. I read romance novels, I get giggly over chick flicks and have several "ships" that make me feel all gooshy inside.

But sometimes, it's just nice when there are pairs who are completely platonic. Not every show has to have a romantic element, after all, and there is something very special about a close relationship that is different from a romantic relationship.

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I'm loving the fact that there are several platonic "couples" on TV shows I'm watching right now, and despite the fact that there are shippers out there who want some of them to get together, I'm hoping that these pairs stay "just friends."

"Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" recap: "Girl in the Flower Dress"

After last week's great episode of "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD," which showed what the show could really be, I was looking forward to this week's episode more than I have since the pilot aired.

And, you know what? It didn't disappoint.

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This week, we were introduced to a new baddie, an annoying boyfriend and several overarching plot elements. Oh, and the Bracelets of Shame, but I'll get to that later.

Recap: "Agents of SHIELD" - Eye Spy

About halfway through Tuesday night's episode of "Agents of SHIELD," I turned to my husband and said, "This is easily the best episode of this show so far."

"Eye Spy" represents the episode that really showed the true potential of this show, and I am more excited than I've been since the pilot.

"This is my excited face."

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In "Eye Spy," Coulson and his crew faced off against a former SHIELD agent who disappeared after a supernatural-seeming diamond heist. It turned out there was more than meets the eye (HAR!) to her, and it was up to our team to trace the threat back to its source. 

And, fellow nerds? The episode worked, from beginning to end. 

"Marvel Agents of SHIELD" Recap: "The Asset"

After a slightly underwhelming second episode of "Agents of SHIELD," Coulson & Friends were back in fine form for episode 3, "The Asset."

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This episode was another "Problem of the Week" episode, as I assume most of them will be, but, like the first episode, there was an actual person involved along with a weird & wacky piece of technology. I think that is what is really going to work for this show - not just hunting down weapons and weird objects, but facing off against real people.

"Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" review: "0-8-4"

I wasn't going to recap "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD," but, darn it, I have opinions after watching the second episode!

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"0-8-4" didn't quite live up to last week's premiere, but despite several issues that I hope they get under control soon, I was overall pleased with the second episode.

TV Snap Judgment: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Tuesday night was the premiere of the show I was most excited about among all the great-looking new shows premiering this fall.

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Yep, I, and millions of other nerdlings around America, finally got to see the first episode of "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," and you know the best thing about it? It lived up to the hype!

Fall TV Preview: ABC's New Shows

It's almost that time of year - time to decide which new shows you'll put into your TV-watching rotation! I'll be previewing the new shows of Fall 2013 and letting you know what I'll be watching - and what I'll be avoiding like the plague.

First up, let's look at what ABC has on tap this fall.

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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24.) One of ABC's biggest TV shows this fall is "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," the small-screen companion to the Marvel Cinematic Universe O' Cash. The show will bring back favorite side character Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) as headliner (despite his apparent death in "The Avengers" last summer) and put him in charge of non-superhero S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. The show is supposed to supplement the cinematic universe (including the upcoming Thor and Captain America movies), but the show is also supposed to stand alone for those people who haven't devoted many hours of their lives to sitting in theaters watching superhero movies. The great Joss Whedon, who directed "The Avengers" co-wrote and directed the pilot, and although it's unclear just how much of a hand he'll have in it going forward, I'm excited that Whedon is involved in another TV show. I'm also excited about more solid nerd fare being on network TV. Jen's take: I'll definitely watch!

The Goldbergs (Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24.) It's a sitcom about a 1980s family. I'm not actually sure that there's any other twist than the fact that it's about an '80s family. However, creator Adam F. Goldberg has worked on some solid stuff, including the cult hit "Community," so I'm willing to give it a chance. That, and I might be too lazy to change the channel after "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Jen's take: Maybe I'll watch.

Trophy Wife (Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24.) A reformed party girl (Malin Ackerman) finds herself in the midst of crazy shenanigans when she ends up marrying a guy with three kids and two ex-wives. It sounds like it will be playing into a variety of lame stereotypes and feature boring manufactured drama between the new wife and the ex-wives and the bratty children. Lame sauce. Jen's take: Heck no, I won't watch!

Lucky 7 (Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Premieres Sept. 24.) This show, about a group of gas station employees who win the lottery together is based on a BBC show called "The Syndicate." The show is expected to follow a different character each episode, so there is potential for some good deep character drama. However, I tend to be very wary of BBC remakes, since U.S. rehashes are normally not nearly as good. Jen's take: Maybe I'll watch!

Back in the Game (Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. Premieres Sept. 25.) This sitcom follows a former promising softball player who lost it all when she had a child, lost her scholarship and dumped her husband. She ends up coaching a team full of misfits who got cut from a Little League team, including her son. It definitely has some potential of wacky family misadventures, especially with her father, played by James Caan, on the scene. Still, it doesn't have any super great hook for me to particularly want to tune in. Jen's take: Maybe I'll watch.

Super Fun Night (Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. Premieres Sept. 25.) This is the new Rebel Wilson sitcom, which is the exact reason I will watch it, without even knowing what it is about. The show follows three nerdy single women who hang out every Friday night. Wilson is a star and writer for the show, which is enough for me. Jen's Take: I'll definitely watch.

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland (Thursdays at 8 p.m. Premieres Sept. 26.) It's spin-off time! This show is a spin-off of ABC's popular fairy tale drama, "Once Upon a Time," and follows Alice, who doctors think is crazy because of the whole "going to Wonderland" thing. I'm super excited for several reasons. First of all, I love Lewis Carroll-based stories. There's something super cool about Wonderland, and as long as they keep the imagination going, I think the show will be super cool. Secondly, I like stories about people who aren't crazy, but everyone thinks they are because they see something or go somewhere that normal people don't. That is just a cool hook for a show. Finally, I really love "Once Upon a Time," despite the fact that it does get quite over-the-top at times, and I'm excited about having a spin-off! This show will have references, connections and cross-over episodes to "Once Upon a Time." Yay! Jen's Take: I'll definitely watch.

What will you be watching on ABC this fall?