●●●●○

Marvel’s first major project with a woman at the helm has finally arrived, and Agent Carter can join the franchise with its head held high. Although Captain America’s legacy lives on in the post-war American consciousness, the purpose of the series is to examine how life continued for Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). The forces of evil are still at work as Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) has been framed for selling weapons to America’s enemies. Because Peggy’s talents are wasting away amidst her chauvinistic colleagues, she is determined to prove Stark’s innocence. She is aided in this quest by Stark’s sheltered but delightful butler Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy), while she simultaneously navigates her new life in the post-war world.

The show conveys a tremendous sense of fun, but is still a great drama with a brilliant balance between nostalgia and a more critical look at the past. The opening episodes are filled with energetic swing music and glamorous costumes, creating a slick and appealing ambience. But a major theme is how Peggy thwarts the men who see her as inferior, and in doing so she isn’t confined to a stereotype. She can win a fistfight atop of a moving van, but she can also manipulate how men see her to get what she wants. Peggy never feels like a trope but rather a fully-fleshed woman, which is equally empowering and entertaining. A clever, self-aware show with fantastic acting, each episode is a well-rounded romp of entertainment.