Ep 2. Bridge and Tunnel

Peggy Carter, a former secret agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., is now working for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) in New York City in 1946. In the second episode of the first season, titled "Bridge and Tunnel", Peggy continues to work on the case of Howard Stark's missing weapons, which were stolen and sold on the black market. Peggy's boss and colleagues at the SSR still do not know that she is working with Stark's butler, Edwin Jarvis, to investigate the theft.

The episode begins with a bank heist scene where the robbers are wearing Stark's stolen gas masks and armed with his weapons. This scene sets the tone for the importance of locating these missing weapons, as dangerous people now have access to them. The SSR team discusses the possibility of the robbers coming from outside of the city, which leads them to investigate the tunnels and bridges leading into the city. The writers of the show were able to create a storyline that perfectly weaves real historical events into a fictional narrative, as this was actually a common concern in NYC at the time due to the rise of organized crime.

Meanwhile, Peggy is tasked with looking into the new neighbor of her friend and waitress, Angie, who is a struggling actress. Peggy discovers that the neighbor is a dancer who is auditioning for a show that premieres on Broadway, providing an opportunity for Peggy to follow her into the city. Peggy ends up using Angie's apartment as home base where she can change her appearance and blend in with the theater crowd. As viewers, we can see Peggy's quick thinking and adaptability, which is one of her defining characteristics.

In addition to attending the show, Peggy uses this opportunity to further investigate Stark's stolen technology. When she returns to Angie's apartment, she realizes that someone has been there and that they knew she was investigating something. In this moment, we see Peggy's paranoia and anxiety due to constantly being underestimated and undervalued by her colleagues, leading her to keep her investigation secret.

The episode also features a storyline regarding SSR Agent Sousa and his investigation into the bank robbery. Sousa is shown to be a competent and resourceful agent, which highlights the viewpoint that while Peggy is underrated, she is not the only agent capable of doing the job. Sousa's story also shows a perspective from outside of Peggy's network of trust, to provide viewers with a different point of view.

Finally, the episode ends with a reveal that underscores the troubles Peggy is up against - her apartment is searched by SSR agents who find Stark's missing vials of "Midnight Oil" which causes endless excitement and hysteria in anyone who inhales it. Peggy immediately realizes that she has been set up, and must use her skills to clear herself of the accusation.

Overall, "Bridge and Tunnel" serves as an excellent example of how to create a compelling and intricate story within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The writers are able to blend real historical events with fictional narrative, while maintaining the core characteristics of their protagonists. The episode raises the stakes for Peggy, showing the increasing complexity of her investigation and the risks she must take to save the day.