Agent Carter (TV Series) Smoke & Mirrors (2016) User Reviews

Independent Thinker

[ThomasDrufke · 9/10 · 3 February 2016]

In what has probably been a weaker season for Agent Carter, Smoke and Mirrors really stepped up its game this week. We got a better look at Whitney Frost, who I have been critical of as a character so far, but this episode cleared all the doubts I had. We also got our first real look at Peggy's backstory and how she got to where she is now, fighting the good fight.

I haven't been all that impressed with the decision to focus on Peggy's love life this season as I think last season worked extremely well avoiding that for the most part. Tonight's episode didn't do a whole lot to sway me one way or another but it did seem to confirm that we haven't seen the last of the Souza-Carter-Wilkes triangle. It also hinted that one or both of them may kick the bucket by seasons end considering Vernon Masters threatened Peggy's friends, and Wilkes talked about 'letting go'.

By far the highlight of the episode came from showing flashbacks to both Peggy and Frost's childhood/young adult life. While I think the Peggy material could have fit in season 1, I loved the balance of going back and forth with young Peggy and young Whitney. Knowing that Peggy accepted the SOE's offer due to her brother's request before he tragically died also gave more depth to Carter's motivations. The Whitney scenes were great to add context to this distraught and tormented character and was the character depth I think Frost needed to win me over.

I guess the one question I still have about this season is how Dottie factors into all of it. Will it turn out that Frost is just a pawn for Dottie's master plan? I'm not even totally sure she's coming back, but I'm even more interested in a Frost vs Peggy vs Dottie story line.

+Great flashback material

+Frost sold me

+That ending though...

9.1/10

That's the beauty of Hollywood. You can be whatever you want

[jhudson-11704 · 9/10 · 26 July 2017]

The origin story of Margaret Elizabeth Carter, shown in this episode, helped bolster my love for her character as well as the performance by Atwell. It wasn't just the flashbacks that did it as the interrogation scene with Hunt was also very intimidating yet fun.

We see through Carter's early life that she was always one to go against gender norms in the early 20th century. It was also interesting to see that Cap wasn't her first love and what happened to her after her brother died. Truly great range of emotions shown through Atwell's performance in this episode.

We also got an insight into Whitney Frost/Agnes Cully's backstory. WE see that she too was trying to break through gender norms of the time with her intelligence. While she is undoubtedly a genius, she is still a woman, which her mother told her that she needs to focus on her looks, not her brains. While she did do this with her acting career, she was smart enough to do both. Even better for Whitney this episode was her trying to control the zero matter that had joined her. The end with her absorption of Hunt was truly incredible as it was disturbing to hear a man be melted from existence. With this unknown power now somehow controlled by Whitney, she truly is becoming a more formidable force.

I loved Jarvis this episode and the humor he brought along with it. His tranq gun used to bring down Stark's koala was pretty funny. He was also hilarious in his tranqed up stupor.

+ Carter/Whitney's backstory + Atwell's performance + Hunt interrogation + Humor especially with Jarvis + Whitney is horrifying

Final Score: 9.4/10

[8.5] I can be whatever I want!

[cjonesas · 8/10 · 18 September 2021]

A very good and entertaining episode with great flashbacks, making you live and really feel Whitney's moments and emotions. Everything was stylish and well made, with classy acting of course.

What An Excellent Episode!

[nomis94 · 20 May 2016]

Agent Carter is such a good TV show. Episode 4 adds more value to Peggy's and Whitney's character. The flashbacks are amazingly written and they really move the story forward. Whitney is a great character, though her future motives are uneven.

Whitney's past really stands out in this episode. Her relationship with her mother was far from great and the scene where both have an argument is so well-acted and impactful. It changed Whitney's perspective to life.

I can't get enough of this excellent show. Yesterday I learned that ABC cancelled the show. This is a bad joke. I really hope that the finale of season 2 doesn't end with many cliffhangers - that would break my heart.

Good shows like this need a proper ending and closure for these amazing characters. The chemistry between Carter, Jarvis and co. is perfect. I can't stop watching them solving the mystery.