Joy to the world, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally reunited Fitzsimmons in “Inescapable.” Only it wasn’t their physical forms, but rather their minds linked up through Framework-esque technology. The goal? To force them to rediscover time travel together or suffer forever alone. Though the task seemed daunting, everyone knows that Fitzsimmons together are unstoppable.
Jemma (Elizabeth Henstridge) and Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) are so thrilled to be occupying the same space during “Inevitable” that they don’t even mind the fact that it’s only in their mind. But what starts off as a happy occasion quickly turns sour once Fitz realizes Jemma is very deliberately avoiding the topic of their future. She avoids it so successfully that she actually becomes a seven year-old child without the necessary scientific experience to contribute to time travel theorems.
Not that it matters, because “Inevitable” was very about unlocking that particularly mystery. Instead, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. takes advantage of the bottle episode structure to let Fitzsimmons hash out all their issues with each other in a spectacular, psychoses-laden showdown. Henstridge and De Caestecker deliver some series-best work as Jemma begrudgingly reveals the horrors from her past and Fitz reacts to the future pain he wasn’t there to witness firsthand. Reliving both Fitz and Coulson’s (Clark Gregg) deaths is particularly painful, but it serves as a stark reminder of what’s pushed Jemma to the brink of despair.
Heartbreaking memories aren’t the only monsters in the mindscape with them, though. The newly reunited couple must also contend with the “evil ringu monster” Jemma’s kept in a ballerina box to repress her negative emotions and, of course, the Nazi doctor Leopold that’s renting a room in his head.
While the misadventures of their shared mind in “Inescapable” inevitably leads to a screaming match in a containment pod, it also sheds light on precious (and previously unknown) Fitzsimmons moments. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. gives us the moment the moment that Fitz irrevocably fell for Jemma in college, as well as the moment they met Coulson and became part of the team. Ironically, the pair use those gems in the present as weapons to prove they’ve always hurt one another.
But lest anyone worry that this fight is something everyone’s favorite science duo can’t overcome, they prove once more that they will always beat the odds. In between dredging up old history like Will and Aida, running away from their literal demons, and nearly drowning together once more, Fitzsimmons return to the fact that nothing can keep them apart. As much as they accuse each other of always playing hero, neither one will stop if it means keeping their loved one safe. And thankfully, they’ve got a few friends to help keep it that way.
Mack (Henry Simmons) and Daisy (Chloe Bennet) make a few very significant appearances in their mind, first as part of the terrible timeline but later as a lifeline to escape the monsters in their head. The lesson is clear: Fitzsimmons may need each other to survive, but that’s not all they need. Although it doesn’t hurt that zombie ballerina and Nazi doctor eventually feel the magnetic pull too, forgetting about their better halves entirely.
Speaking of friends, though, Enoch is the one that eventually pulls the plug on his superior’s experiment and saves the day. He proved how much he valued the humans’ friendship, but “Inescapable” leaves open the question of whether anything can be done to save the Chronicoms. Perhaps the answer lies back on Earth with the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. team, seeing as Mack informs Daisy the Shrikes are responsible for the catastrophic event.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Fridays at 8/7c on ABC.