Making Friends and Influencing People is not a Bizarro version of the Simon Pegg film, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.  It’s the name of this week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode but, “Selective Truths” would’ve also been appropriate. That’s a direct quote from Director Coulson to an undercover agent unsure of her ability to lie. Instead of lying, he instructs her to tell “selective truths.” It’s a great line that sums up the theme of the series in general, and this episode in particular. How great? Let’s dive in and find out.

However, before we go any further and spoil things, let’s make sure that everyone has seen the episode in question. If so, read on. If not…

Agent Simmons returns for real.

If instead you were double-crossing Marvel by watching the series premiere of rival D.C.’s The Flash, which ran 3 minutes over normal show length, resulting in fanboys’ D.V.R.s being unable to record both shows simultaneously and thereby forcing said fans to choose one comics-themed show over the other (a diabolical scheme worthy of any supervillain), then check out this story recap before returning here for the critique.

Also, ignore the previous paragraph because I now realize that it was just my D.V.R. that couldn’t record both shows due to it already recording a third (The Voice for my wife), which is one too many per Digital Video Recording law. (Note to self: Find the last 3 minutes of The Flash online.)

Back to S.H.I.E.L.D…

The idea of selective truism runs throughout this week’s episode.

Skye tells Fitz that she’s gaining info about HYDRA’s brainwashing techniques from a “source.” That source is Grant Ward, imprisoned on the Bus for the sole purpose of providing intel about the enemy, but Skye selects to not tell Fitz this part. If he knew that Ward, the former friend whose attempt to kill him resulted in hypoxia, it could send poor Fitz over the edge.

No funny quips because this was a gut-wrenching moment.

Agent Simmons’ whereabouts of the past few weeks is revealed — she’s working undercover for HYDRA. But Coulson doesn’t tell his team this. Instead, he selectively tells them that he’s getting intel from an “asset.”

The showrunners divulge a selective truth in making us think that Simmons has defected to HYDRA. They selectively show her enjoying her new life working in the enemy’s science department. Ten minutes later, we learn that she is Coulson’s mole spying on the inside, a surprising story beat that could’ve been stretched out longer.

Ironically the one person on the up-and-up is the one person who spent all of season 1 living a lie — Agent Ward — who seems relieved to get so many falsehoods off his back . Yet because of that lie, no one believes anything that he says. Not Fitz when Ward says he gave him and Simmons a fighting chance by not shooting them per Garrett’s orders. Not Skye when he reveals that her father, whom she presumed dead, is alive.

Donnie “Blizzard” Gill also returns.

The theme of selective truth even passes through the main plot where Simmons is questioned by her HYDRA boss, Bakshi. (Any relation to Ralph?) The big bad wonders why the seemingly fragile girl disclosed having worked for S.H.I.E.L.D., but withheld having known Donnie “Blizzard” Gill — the superpowered iceman from last season that HYDRA wants to recruit. Or re-recruit, given that he’s already escaped their brainwashing regime once, which to me doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. After all, who wants a dirty brain? Before you groan (too late), I digress.

In the end, Simmons learns to make friends (of enemies) and influence people (also enemies) to better serve her undercover goals for S.H.I.E.L.D. As a result, she earns the trust of Bakshi, enough so for him to promote her. In short, she learns the art of Selective Truths. But will it be enough to keep her alive deep within HYDRA? Or will she have to step up her game from selective truism to outright lying? Only time will tell. Speaking of time…

I gotta go watch 180 seconds of The Flash.

NEXT MISSION: I Will Face My Enemy