When Fitz returned, this series became rambunctiously fun again. This episode takes a turn back towards the beginning of the season with an over-emphasis on the defeatedness of the humans who have survived the destruction of earth and subsequent Kree occupation. Answers start coming to the team through the enigmatic Robin, a mysterious woman who recognizes May at the end of "Together Or Not At All". She is the Seer Fitz met in Rewind and ties the two times together. Will the S.H.I.E.L.D. crew be able to return to present day? How does Quake become "The Destroyer Of Worlds"? Can they prevent the destruction of earth? Clues have taken long to emerge, but some needed information is finally coming to light.
This episode moves slowly in places. The time spent on ancillary characters that don't necessarily move our heroes stories anywhere is distracting from what makes this show great, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents with extraordinary powers struggling through personal and ethical dilemmas. For instance, even though it was obvious that the Framework was bound to be defeated, the character stories involved in how it occurred were interesting an personal. The most interesting thing about Fitz this season is the effect the Framework had on him last season. Season 5's scenario is different because the outcome is almost certain and the leading characters are not growing or learning anything along the way.
The flashback versions of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are strangely out of character, which is supposed to create dramatic tension, I guess? Problem is, there's no explanation for it all, other than "things must be really really bad" for them to be acting this way. It's a relief to see Fitz and Simmons enjoy some happiness, though I have the feeling it could be yanked away at any second. Again. My favorite quip is Mack's reference to the Kree as "The Blue Man Group". So very, very great. More of that, please?
I watched this episode primarily because the serialized nature of the series means if you miss one episode you're lost. But, I felt antsy for the show to just get on with it. This post-scorched-earth future and all the people in it are so mandatorily temporary that whatever happens there feels inconsequential. It has tempted me to skip some weeks and fast forward to just see what happens and hope the next half of the season is better. Hopefully, the surprises to come will be worth the wait.