While it seems Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. will be a pretty serialized show, I’d like to see some episodes that focus singularly on one character or one event specifically, but where S.H.I.E.L.D. can differentiate itself from other TV shows that do this is by bringing in the actors from the films. An episode that is about Nick Fury, Black Widow, or Hawkeye would be huge for the fans and a great storytelling opportunity. They could even go the direction of telling the story of the fabled “Budapest” mission that’s mentioned in The Avengers.
Marvel could also go the traditional route of the one shot and have episodes focus on heroes they want to develop into shows. Normally when a one issue one shot comes out, it’s to test the waters for that character’s future and I can see the same thing being done on this show for future Marvel shows. Daredevil, Heroes for Hire, and The Punisher are some examples I want to see them try out.