SONUVAB****!!!!

I finally got around to opening my 4 x Scanning Crew sets.  Lo and behold, one of the two Stormtroopers I got HAS TWO LEFT HANDS!!!!  I'm going to try contacting Hasbro customer service to report the defect, but I don't think they're going to be able to offer up a replacement figure, since it's part of an exclusive set.

It seems like Ward probably had to go to the extreme of gunning down Hand and company in order to gain Garrett's trust, convincing him that Ward was really coming over to the Hydra side.

At the beginning of the episode I was pretty well convinced that Hand was one of the Hydra operatives.  Especially when she seized control of Coulson's plane.  I was a bit surprised when things turned around.

Ward has been a little surprising over the past several episodes.  It started when he was seduced by Lorelei.  And then he shot the person that they thought was the Clairvoyant.  This week he took out who knows how many SHIELD/Hydra tactical officers.  And then he gunned down Agent Hand and the others that were escorting Garrett to the Cooler.

My theory?  One thing that was mentioned in the first episode as Coulson was assembling the team was that Ward was a specialist.  He was used to working alone and adapting to increasingly complex conditions.  Is it possible that Ward is using that background now in an attempt to infiltrate Hydra?  He knew that he was going to be facing a board of inquiry for killing the red herring Clairvoyant.  Is it possible that he's going in even deeper in an attempt to redeem himself?  Even at the expense of having killed a Level 8 agent?

Caught the movie last night.  I really liked the first Captain America, but I have to say that this one was really good!  It had such a different tone from the first movie, but I think it works since the new film is set in modern times.

Cap still seems like a man out of time.  The music coming from his apartment said that instantly.  And his references definitely say that clearly too, although he seems very much like he's working to get himself caught up on everything he's missed.  The fact that he's keeping a list is a nod to his earnestness.

His working relationship with the Black Widow has been interesting.  Clearly, there are trust issues between the two of them.  But I think the story arc definitely works toward building the trust between the two of them.  And I think that comes about most when Widow exposes herself and her past to the whole world.

Truth be told, I was actually expecting something different from Falcon.  For some reason I thought that his backstory was going to be similar to Black Widow and Hawkeye, and that he was another SHIELD agent.  It was actually a little refreshing to see that this wasn't the case.  And I think he and Cap developed a good friendship based on their shared experience as veterans.

Fury was finally able to show just how much of a badass he is.  The chase through DC was great, as were the fight sequences.  And he was able to show that he is the master spy in the process.  It's only been hinted at before, but here we finally got to see him in action.

Some of the villain appearances were awesome.  GSP as Batroc was actually pretty awesome.  And his fight with Cap was better than I thought it was going to be.  Brock Rumlow as a SHIELD strike agent was a nice nod to the comics.  There were really only hints at him and his future, but very cool ones.  And the way that Arnim Zola was realized was very cool.  I knew a little bit about his comic character and I think the way he was captured for this film was great.  It built on the story from the first film and also tied in with how history played out after WWII.  And then the twist that Zola was part of a Hydra infiltration into SHIELD that was 70 years in the making?  WHOA.

The museum exhibit was a nice nod to Cap's past, but it had to be very odd for him to actually see it.  I understood why he went though, because it was something that could help him remember and honor his friends.  But it also showed his vulnerability and loyalty to his friend, and that wound up being a weakness for him as he fought Bucky/Winter Soldier.  The fact that his fight with the Winter Soldier remained unresolved was great.  And I'm interested to see where the story continues to go.

One of the things I liked most of all about the movie is that the plot was topical.  The whole thing really revolved around the concepts of personal privacy and freedoms that are playing out in the political arena right now. 

As for the stinger scenes?  Wow.  Baron Von Strucker?!?!?!  I think they nailed him, right down to the monocle.  And his captives?  It's nice to get that first glimpse of Quicksilver and Scarlett Witch.

Should be a great season.  Lots of cool things coming with season 4.  Especially the Purple Wedding!

Could Peter Mayhew be reprising his role as Chewbacca?  Check out this Jedi Insider posting, because Peter's clearing his convention appearance calender.

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In other news, three more young actors have been added to the rumored cast list for Episode VII on IMDB.  They include:

Ed Speleers - Eragon, A Lonely Place To Die
John Boyega - Attack The Block
Matthew James Thomas - Billy Elliot, About A Boy


No mention of the previously rumored Jesse Plemons, who some thought might be in the running to play the son of Luke Skywalker.  It looks as though that might be the role filled by Ed Speleers.

Speaking of which, **** I hope Admiral Ackbar shows up in them.  That would make me very happy.

I DEFINITELY would like to see Ackbar return.

This wave seems to be selling through much like wave 1 did.  The Stormtrooper seems to be the first to go, just like the Sandtrooper sold through.  When I got my Obi-Wan all that was left was Obi-Wan and Bespin Luke.