Agent Carter

Disney+, 18 episodes, released 2015-2016

2021 so far strongly resembles 2020, with concert venues and movie theaters in shut-down mode… therefore rather streaming service reviews than movie reviews – and it’s definitely worth to check out some of the older shows too.

Besides the new „The Falcon and the Winter Soldier“ show, there’s another one invoking the ghost of Captain America, after he got lost in icy waters… and what people made fall in love with “Wanda Vision” – the joyful play with the pop culture past – can be seen here too; they actually made it 5 years earlier…

Basically I only stumbled over this one via binge-watching S.H.I.E.L.D. – which is, by the way, absolutely worth your time as well. „Agent Carter“ features the adventures of Peggy Carter, Captain America’s agency trainer, mission partner and love interest, as prominently as she deserves.

Yep, ladies, this is the must-watch for you. She is such a delightful character and you wished she had received more screen time in the Avenger movies. Easy to understand why Cap decided to stick around with her …

Set in the late 40s, the series has a Film Noir grit and a dark atmosphere, much darker and more cynical than you might expect… it seems like Sam Spade with the Maltese Falcon stumbling into the scene any minute.

Peggy Carter is relegated to secretarial duties in the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) in New York. When Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) is accused of treason, he secretly recruits Peggy to clear his name with the help of his butler, Edwin Jarvis.
In season 2, the heroic trio have other mysteries to solve, this time in Hollywood. Wynn Everett’s portrayal of Whitney Frost, an actress with a deep interest in science and technology, is reminiscent of the real-life actress/tech genius Hedy Lamarr – no smart phones without her achievement!

Besides Hayley Atwell, delivering this wonderful performance as Peggy Carter, you can finally enjoy the „original“ – quirky and likeable – Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy). And a few other characters of the Captain America: The First Avenger movie make guest appearances. The vintage sets & costumes, the music, those references to history and Mr. Stark’s weird gadgets, foreshadowing future events and developments – this series is simply a lot of fun to watch.

PS: Why no follow-up on this, the exploits of Peggy & Captain Steve, beginning with the 1950s?