I so wanted to like "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," the ABC adventure series that incorporates elements of the Marvel cinematic universe ("The Avengers," "Iron Man," etc.).

And then, like most of the rest of the world, I didn't.

The pilot episode resurrected Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), who caught a magic septer/sword/shiny movie prop to the gut in "The Avengers." After assembling a new team of attractive 20-somethings, the government superspy travels the world fighting bad guys and name-dropping movie characters whom are too expensive to appear on network television.

I'm on record for liking the first couple episodes, especially since Samuel L. Jackson appears for a 30-second cameo in episode two as S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury. After that, the show never established a reason to exist. Listless action and a stuffy supporting cast of pretty supercops are not the reasons we collectively flock to the Marvel movies, so why would it be enticing for television?

Put simply, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." was boring. Until last week, I was perfectly fine with never watching it again.

Enter "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," the latest Marvel movie and the best superhero spectacle since "The Avengers." Without spoiling things, the movie forces "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." into a narrative predicament. The show's status quo is no longer possible.

Energized by the quality of "Winter Soldier," I turned to Hulu to check out the last couple "S.H.I.E.L.D." episodes, including Tuesday's "Turn, Turn, Turn," which takes place concurrently with "Winter Soldier."

In just 42 minutes, the episode fixes many of the problems that plagued the series in its first season. It all feels connected again, and Coulson and his team finally have a role to play in Marvel's grandiose plans.

The "Winter Soldier" twist provides the show's two weakest links, Brett Dalton's Agent Ward and Chloe Bennet's Skye, a meaty storyline that will propel them into a more essential storyline. Last week, I couldn't remember their character names.

Gregg has always been the show's narrative glue, but the circumstances surrounding Coulson's resurrection were never as interesting as the show's writers intended. "Winter Soldier" better connects his mystery to the greater "S.H.I.E.L.D."

plan and establishes a larger conflict between him and his absent superiors, notably Nick Fury.

I can't reveal much more without spoiling "Winter Soldier," but even by general storytelling practices, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is already more exciting than it has been in its entire run so far.

Even better, the show has a few more episodes before the season ends, allowing Coulson and his team to further explore the ramifications of "Winter Soldier."

They'll pull out the big guns again - Sam Jackson is confirmed to return in the season finale, while Cobie "How My Character Ruined the Finale of 'How I Met Your Mother'" Smulders will reappear as movie franchise supporting player Maria Hill. These appearances are especially interesting given their final moments in "Winter Soldier."

That plus the promise of Patton Oswalt in a guest role and more Bill Paxton as a fellow agent, and suddenly the offices of S.H.I.E.L.D. don't look so bland.

So what's the lesson here? All a mediocre television show needs is a $200 million movie to recharge the stalling narrative.

"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" is in theaters now, and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." airs Tuesdays on ABC. Recent episodes are available on ABC.com and Hulu.com.

Find more pop culture commentary from Tyler Wilson at NorthwestPodcasts.com. He can also be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.