u/GoatBread237

I'm watching through Agents of Shield for the first time! It's always been my MCU blindspot, so I'm checking it out in between my phase 1 and 2 rewatch. Currently, I just finished 1x16 which is where the show lines up with Winter Soldier on the timeline and I just have to ask..

Why hasn't Ward's rage after holding the staff been relevant at all? He killed who he believed to be the Clairvoyant and not once did he, or anyone else on the team bring up that the Berserker staff probably made him more susceptible to his emotions

It's been 8 episodes since he touched the staff and they've done nothing with it, so I assumed that either it was a dropped plotline or that Elliot Randolph was just messing with Ward when he said that the anger would last decades. But literally last episode (1x15) another Asgardian, Lorilei, mentioned that Ward has the anger of a berserker inside him. So wtf?

I can only assume they didn't mention it in the most recent ep I watched because it would water down the idea of the Clairvoyant "knowing how to push the right buttons" if you could hand wave it away with Asgardian magic. But imo, it just reinforces that idea if the Clairvoyant intentionally pissed off the guy holding back Asgardian rage

Is sex with May just THAT good that it eased all his pent up aggression in the next episode?

(Obviously, don't spoil anything huge from later seasons in the replies unless it's something I would already know from the movies)

Note: my s3 tier list can be found here https://www.reddit.com/r/betasquad/s/f8RDRWHLVa and keep in mind, this is just a humble girlie's opinion

Beta Squad Mukbang

Necessary. I know there was lots of hate when this came out, especially after a lackluster s3, but I think it was needed. The boys were open and honest about things I didn't think they'd talk about, like the Chunkz show being deleted. I just wish it were titled differently, since there are already 2 other videos with the same exact name.

How Long Can We Live in a Grocery Store?

Fucking hilarious lmaooo. This is 100% better than a lot of their other prank videos, because the main issue for me is that I don't really like it when it seems like the boys genuinely ruin other people's days. But this being a controlled building made the reactions from the staff so much funnier with the knowledge that the store owner is allowing the Beta Squad to mess with them lol

We Tried Every Class of Flying

Incredibly boring, unfortunately. Sharky and Chunkz giving us dry content and the Niko/AJ dynamic wasn't as strong here as it was in their other traveling videos. Kenny and Bradley were the saving grace, but it's too long of a video for the entertainment that's actually present

Don't Open the Wrong Box

I'm pleasantly surprised! Admittedly, I wasn't looking forward to this one because the the trailer from a week before was very weak. But it turned out pretty fun for what it's worth! I do think that the last round was a little pointless, since we already knew pretty early on that Niko already had what he needed to win. So there were 0 mind games from the perspective of the audience. There's many ways they could improve this concept, but it's a pretty good start

Guess the Actor ft. Idris Elba

Love Idris, thought the video was fun. I think what lets this one down is the people they cast. They weren't bad, but they weren't the most entertaining to watch, at least compared to the rest of the cast in this series. It's hard to beat chatacters like MC Hammersmith, Bradley, Tyrone Smith, etc. I think AJ learned from the Ed Sheeran video where he basically just disappeared halfway through, so he kept dragging the one joke about Chunkz' movie. Tbf I thought it was funny lmao

6 Americans vs 1 Secret British Person

Pretty standard Beta Squad. Ever since the seasons started, the boys have been voted out in this series either 1st or 2nd. It makes me think if these are scripted to an extent, coz what are the chances that happens 3 videos in a row? Either way, it wasn't anything crazy. Definitely not as funny as the previous 6v1 episodes, but it wasn't bad either. The final round when all the boys are in it will always be the highlight

Football Stadium Hide and Seek

Good video! Not much to say again. Every hide and seek video, somebody has to hide in the production room and it's very tiring by this point, so I'm glad Niko got caught doing it. I think AJ hiding in the ground, despite being crazier, is still a lot more within the spirit of the game. Highlight of this whole thing was Kenny straight up outrunning the SWAT team at a couple points. Chunkz was playing hide and seek, Kenny was playing tag. Also sidenote: I like that everyone was in the thumbnail. The last video that had them all there (that isn't an obvious given) was 2 years ago

Mafia Football Edition

Like the previous 2 videos, this one was good with not much else to say. It's hard to go wrong with mafia videos, but Chunkz' absolute masterclass 2 seasons ago was SO GOOD that every mafia video feels like it can't top that ever again. The forfeit in this one was also probably the lamest they've ever done, at least since the seasons started. Congrats to Sharky tho! Hope James gets to play longer next time. Also, I'm editing my review to say that the title of the video sucks. Why do we have so many repeating titles on this channel? Should've called this one mafia football edition

Last to Leave Football Pitch

Probably their worst Last to Leave yet. That doesn't mean it's a bad video, it just means it's kinda boring. The football pitch is a quite literally a big open field, so there's not much in terms of set design they can do to make it visually interesting. I don't really care much about football, so I couldn't connect with the challenges. There were only 2 forfeits in the video and Kenny's was funny and Niko's was so incredibly lame that it circled back to being funny. Tho I do think it's interesting that this is the only Last to Leave video where someone gets eliminated because they actually step out of the perimeter. That like never happens (i don't count the box breaking in the amp vid. sharky was eliminated unfairly there)

Murder Mystery

I'm actually a little disappointed with the premise of the video. I really wished that the production leaned more into the whodunnit aspect. Like if they had roles and things they needed to do, so that people would have alibis and the boys could sus out whose stories don't line up with each other. But as it stands, this just feels like Mafia in a big mansion and I think the set's kinda wasted. The Americans also made the first 40 mins a chore to get through. Mainly Ron tbh, he's very loud and I just don't think he meshes well with the vibes of Beta Squad. I heavily dislike Jason, but he wasn't that bad in this vid. Lacy was pretty good tho! They were okay guests overall, but it does make this pretty hard to rewatch imo

I'm talking SPECIFICALLY about the main 5YL storyline and not the AU as a whole

For starters, this isn't really a critique and it's 100% just personal preference. But I don't like how many original transformations show up in the comic

It totally makes sense Ben would have so many aliens by this point. It's been half a decade since OV ended, why wouldn't he have like a million more aliens? I also think it's great that the Ink Tank utilizes the omnitrix's nature to include the community by having commissions be a part of the AU itself. No notes there

My issue lies with emotional connection. I don't recognize any of these guys. The story gets by completely fine, Kuro's able to explain their powers well through text and through action. But I don't feel the same way as I do with the aliens from the show

There are hype moments like Atomix, Clockwork, Alien X, and even Pesky Dust for me. The moment these aliens show up I already know what the deal is and I'm excited

Meanwhile The Void's introduction sticks out to me a lot. This guy is a big deal and the comic hypes him up, but I've never seen this man in my life. So I'm trying to figure out what he can do as we're going along, but that also cuts my attention in half. I'm figuring out this new alien's power set, while trying to connect with the emotional story beats and it just kinda takes me out of it

But that's just my (probably) unpopular take!

Note: Basing off the sub, this most recent season seems to be the most controversial one. So compared to the previous 2 tier lists, I will take the surrounding context of each video into consideration.

My previous tier list can be found here https://www.reddit.com/r/betasquad/s/i9tpFg4pvU and as always, this is just 1 girl's opinion

Billion of the World's Cheapest Currency

Certainly a fun video to watch. Some good bits in there like Niko making AJ believe that he was telling everyone he's short. The talent show was all great too. I also enjoyed the mall segment, but Chunkz taking the piss out of a girl excited to meet him by calling her screaming jarn and leaving her bawling is a bit too far for me. I understand they already had a lot of attention on them in the mall and I understand that he acts like this for the cameras because it's content, but it does come across as a little mean.

$100 vs $100k Holiday: Asia Edition

The Niko and AJ duo shines through in this really brightly. It shines through so much that it kinda overshadows the other team by a wide stretch lmao. I think Bali Boys is a big vibe, but the energy is just so lowkey that the video slows down whenever AJ and Niko aren't on screen. Still a good video overall tho.

6 Asians vs 1 Secret Fake Asian

Similar to the 6v1 video from last season with the kids, this shouldn't have been as entertaining as it was lmao this was so good. I'm glad they kept the final round being all the boys at once. With s3 being the Asia tour, I'm pleasantly surprised that they were able to fit studio videos into the theming of the season. That effort isn't going unappreciated! Unfortunately, this video marks the start of production issues with not having a trailer at the end. "Mystery video next week" my ass, they just didn't have something prepared.

5 Star Restaurant: Asia Edition

The entire red team was just VIBES. I miss Bomboclaat, Raasclaat, Macho, and Smiley. Actually great that Chunkz and AJ managed their restaurant really well for the most part. Blue team on the other hand... Niko highkey pmo this week. His whole prankster persona can only go so far before it's just not fun to watch. The way he completely breaks the spirit of the challenge by pretending to be production and getting the mystery diner to out herself was wack. Same thing goes for bullying that one chef to the point of him joining the other team. And to top it off, they uploaded this a week late AND there was no trailer again. I think this is half of a good video, but the negatives are glaring.

Beta Squad Mafia (Anime edition) ft. KSI

Pretty good! It's so interesting that they were so threatened by Chunkz from the last game that they took him, Niko, and Sharky out so fast so we were left with people we don't normally see that far in the game. Once again, studio video that they fit into the theme of the season, always a plus. Solid game of mafia, no complaints!

Japan's Most Dangerous Gang

I know a lot of people had issues with this being a prank and not legit and I understand, but I'm cool with it lol. My issue is the fact that they were already quite shaky with the fanbase after missing a week, having no trailers twice, and when there was a trailer— it was bait because it was all a prank. The video itself is fine imo, but there's no denying that this was a mess when it was uploaded. Also a personal opinion, but that Welcome to Tokyo song is so hilariously bad that ending this video with that tune is almost fitting.

Throwing a Dart ASIA Edition

It was fine. As I write these reviews, I'm starting to realize that maybe I just don't find these videos the most entertaining LMAO? Even though it's functionally the same as the road trip videos, idk. It's very inoffensive, just unmemorable. And oh yeah, surprise surprise. No trailer again.

We Survived 24 Hours on an Island

Will anyone get mad at me if I put this in F? PERSONALLY I think it's whatever. The video's boring and nothing happens, but it's good noise to put on while you're eating lunch. We aren't entitled to 1 hour long videos, but when you set a standard with the seasons format and the fact that they missed another week again before posting this, I'm not surprised that people hated this one. All it was was set up for the last video.

Last to Leave the Island

Disappointing. This does get the benefit of being a Last to Leave and those are some of my fave ones on the channel, but this is probably the worst one they've done. Really, it's just forgettable and doesn't make up for how lackluster the past few weeks have been. Also, a personal note, but Chunkz scrapping with the dude in the cage wasn't funny at all. It was funny back in school with Chucky, but that's because he was tackling that guy into teddy bears. Chunkz was actually slamming this guy on a wooden floor and it wasn't very pleasant to watch. In general, him just reheating his crumbs by fighting any yute he sees during a punishment is kinda just funny the first time, and more and more boring every time he does it again. It's a very weak end to the season that had a great theme.

Note: My s1 tier list can be found here https://www.reddit.com/r/betasquad/s/YgnhokiTqQ and once again, this is all my opinion

Last to Leave the School

This is probably in their top 3 Last to Leave episodes ever. The banter and challenges were all good and Chunkz beating up Chucky is so funny (although, I sure hope that actor got paid extra or was at least aware that was gonna happen). What bumps this up to S tier is the dang School Cypher, I still listen to it every now and again.

Guess the Singer Ft. Ed Sheeran

I'll admit my bias upfront that False Identity is my favorite series on the channel, so this was bound to be really high up for me. There aren't many Sharky-centric videos so it's great that he got a lot of stuff to say and do here because of Ed Sheeran's involvement. Chunkz not realizing he commented on the singer's video is hilarious as well.

Trapped in a Prison

I SAID WE'RE TRAPPED! IN A PRIIIISSONN. This was great. I consider this a spiritual successor to Last to Leave the Prison, although I don't think anything can top that video tbh. Anyway, this was fun and I'm glad that this cemented Bradley as a regular on the same level as Darkest or Deji. Having a saboteur every round was also a great shake up in the already really good challenges.

Fit Through the Hole 2

Slightly less boring, but still boring. I don't know, man. This concept just isn't that entertaining past the 7 minute mark. It's at least better than the first one because there's more friends in this.

Surviving in the Wilderness for 24 Hours

I feel like this should be higher because it's unique, I think it's just personal preference. They had 1 challenge where they were all working together and the rest of the video was them backstabbing each other. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was very entertaining, good on rewatchablity! But I just prefer when the boys are all friends in these kinds of challenges.

6 Kids vs 1 Secret Adult

This one is so fucking funny for no good reason. I didn't even like this Jubilee ripoff series that much, but this single episode completely changed up my opinion. The way the kids kept clocking the boys in the 1st round was such a subversion of what usually happens. Then every Beta member joining in at the end is probably the best update they've ever made to an old series. (Also this made me feel better after it seemed like they all hated each other the week before lol)

Beta Squad Mafia All Stars

This is the best mafia video on the channel and maybe on the entire platform. Everything from the set, the music, the deductions, Niko being emotionally tested, and the mastermind play from Chunkz. This is in top 10 of Beta Squad ever.

We Opened a 5 Star Cruise

It was better than 5 Star Hotel for sure! The vibes of Red Team was great to watch. I think splitting it up as Chunkz/Niko & Aj/Kenny certainly helped the pacing and energy. I feel like any other pairing would've made the video feel lopsided, but the energy each team brought in their respective sections was fun. I also love it when one team just abandons their station and goes to the other team's place lmao, it was especially funny seeing AJ jet ski away from Kenny.

Most Expensive Hotel: Europe

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe this is the video that started the trend of Niko and AJ narrating together and it's also one of the best decisions they've made on the channel imo. Unfortunately, similar to the Europe video last season, I think this one was just a little unmemorable too. I like the gimmick of spending as much as they can and the losing team pays for it, but that's about all I can say unfortunately.

Note: I've been a Beta Squad fan for a few years now, so why not? I was initially going to combine seasons 1-3 in the same tier list, but my reviews kept getting longer and longer, so I'll make separate posts instead. Obviously, this is all just 1 girl's opinion

Squid Game in Real Life

Everyone on YouTube was doing this for awhile and Beta Squad just seemed to catch up to the trend really late. It's not a bad video, but it felt like a relatively weak start to the seasons format, despite the production value

Last to Leave Solitary Confinement

This is really really good. I admit that I'm a little biased towards the Last to Leave series and this is one of the best entries. The banter was great, the challenges were good, and it's probably one of the best videos showcasing the boys' personalities

We Opened a 5 Star Hotel

I like that this is the video that started the trend of Sharky becoming the host. I think he's the best at it since he doesn't really ham anything up for content and stays unbiased. This is a personal thing for me, I understand that Niko's a prankster, but I kinda don't like it when he fucks with guests to the point of ruining their night. It wasn't that bad here, but it gets so much worse later on.

Fit Through the Hole 1

Boring. The game show videos are probably some of my least favorite ones and this wasn't all that. Kenny not being able to swim and Chunkz not liking water can only be so entertaining for so long before I start yawning

Mafia (Dunk Tank Forfeit)

I'm ngl, I don't remember this one that much. Probably on par with the older mafia videos. Pretty standard content, nothing bad or good to say about it.

Throwing a Dart EUROPE Edition

The biggest sin this one commits is being unmemorable. I can't recall a single thing that happens in this video, but at least that means I didn't totally hate it either.

Last to Leave the Grocery Store

This was pretty solid! I'm not really an AMP girlie, but it was absolutely great seeing Niko and Agent battling it out again. I'm glad they also brought in the pool noodle game from Kai's streams, it really makes the collab feel more like a proper crossover between both groups. Sharky's dodge on Duke was cold too

5 Star Resto Series:

Girl this was sooo goood. I like that each episode had a theme and that each episode had a song that the boys made up on the spot. Every episode is on the same level for me, more or less. It's really good on rewatchablity too! I do believe that Niko's score was an absolute robbery tho, considering he went first so nobody else had a point of comparison at the time. A shame.

Beta Squad Road Trip: USA

They started the season weak, but they ended it strong. This was pretty good! I do love the Sharky and Chunkz pairing because of how close they are, but I can't lie that their side was kinda boring in comparison to the other 3. Still a banger tho! Has one of my fave Beta moments where both teams decide to sing the same song with no communication.

Which fnaf game do y'all think is Ben's favorite? My money's on Security Breach