Caution: Minor spoilers ahead.
I have been anticipating Agent Carter ever since I heard about the show. I've also been worried. Let's face it - the women superheroes still don't get their due in live action media. I'm not saying Marvel has completely let down it's female heroes - but they sure as hell took their sweet time about giving us a female lead in any of their films and shows. Someday I hope to live in a world where a female superhero movie is considered bankable.
First of all, I want to make it clear I will not be nitpicking the historical inaccuracies here. Yes it's the 1940s but it's the 1940s in the Marvel Universe. This is comic book science fiction and shouldn't be held to the same standard as a traditional period piece or something "based on a true story."
But moving on. We have our star. The woman on whose shoulders the weight of the show rests. So to speak. And Atwell does a fine job. She brings Carter to us as a whole person. A woman who is strong, smart, and capable. But also human. She cries. She makes mistakes. She never wishes she were a man. She may have moments of doubt but she still believes in herself and is rightly pissed that her co-workers don't. She is keenly aware of what is expected of her as a woman and resents it with every fiber of her being. She seems to be a wonderful combo of two of my favorite childhood heroes: Nancy Drew and Emma Peel.
We have our co-star: Jarvis. Who actually points out Carter doesn't have to carry the weight of the world alone and indeed Jarvis (James D'Arcy) helps her carry the show quite well without stealing it from her. It's clear she's the hero and he really only wants to be allowed to provide her with support. They seem to be hinting there's a lot more to Jarvis than we've seen so far and I'm interested to find out what it is.
We also have Carter's female friends. Civilians, so she can't really talk about her SSR work with them. And we lose one of them right off. Still, I like Angie (Lyndsy Fonseca) and hope that Carter learns to how to balance personal and professional so she can have female friends. That said, I'm also suspicious of the new tenant. Is she really a ballet dancer?
As the story progresses I want to get a better picture of the men in
Carter's office. I want to see more of who they are and why they treat
her as they do. Are they really completely unaware of her
capabilities? Do they view her as taking the place of a better
qualified man? Do they see it as a waste to let her in on work that
might advance her career when they figure she will probably just retire
when she marries? Perhaps all three? Will she ever earn their respect
or will she have to continue to manipulate and work outside the system
to make any difference?
There are great moments through out the show. When the lone male co-worker who seems to have some respect for Carter defends her she thanks him and tells him not to do it ever again. Carter doesn't want to be defended. She doesn't need a hero, she is her own hero. She was there before Captain America ever existed. (Am I the only one irritated by the promos that identify Cap as Carter's Hero?)
Another moment is where Carter tells Jarvis she used to have a sense of purpose. It's a thing which all soldiers face after any war. To have to return to civilian life and do something ordinary. She once helped win a war. She had seniority and respect. Now she's filing and answering phones. It's hard on soldiers but can you even imagine how much harder it was on women like Carter? Women who would have probably married or worked in a shop but because of the war were called into the service of their country? Who found the opportunity to be someone they never imagined or perhaps imagined but never thought possible. And then the war is over and where are they? They are asked yet again to do their patriotic duty and to give their jobs back to the men. Possibly not even being able to tell anyone about what they did during the war - not because they didn't want to but because their government required them to keep secrets that wouldn't become public knowledge until decades later. Their silence leaving people to assume that they were no more than a secretary. Or no more than Captain America's girlfriend.
I also love the radio show. It's ties in quite well with the underlying themes of perception and assumption. It's a good reminder when most people look at Peggy Carter they don't see an Agent. Not only because of her (assumed) history with Cap but because of her gender and looks. Which can be frustrating for her but also an asset at times.
I think it's not at all surprising when Stark asks for her help Carter jumps at the chance. She's bored and wants to do something important again. Stark is part of a good time in Carter's life. Oh yes, it was the war but she had purpose then. Carter is also under the impression that Stark respects her - something that her male coworkers don't. Of course if Stark really did respect Carter, then wouldn't he have told her the whole truth? Whatever that might be?
I'm impressed so far and have high hopes for the rest of Agent Carter. I also hope other Marvel (and DC for that matter) women finally get their due in quality shows and movies.
