The New Normal

"The New Normal" is the first episode of the seventh season of The Avengers. The season premiere was broadcast on ABC on September 24, 2019. The episode follows the numerous Marvel Comics characters as they move on with their lives following the Battle of Earth. Beginning with this episode, the main cast members are listed in the credits alphabetically, showing the cast becoming more of an ensemble. This is also the first episode not to feature Matt Bomer, Justin Hartley, and Ali Larter in the credits. The New Normal was watched by 18.94 million U.S. viewers, easily making it the most-watched scripted broadcast of the week. It also received critical acclaim, with many praising the show's ability to reinvent itself.

Synopsis
Weeks after Steve's sacrifice returned the world to normal, Thor and the Guardians help protect the galaxy, while Quill holds out hope for finding Gamora. Clint, Banner, and Rhodey are recruited to join S.W.O.R.D., S.H.I.E.L.D.'s replacement in the new world, though Carol is suspicious of the agency. Bucky and Sam discover who the government thinks should carry on the Captain America name, while Wanda deals with her grief, T'Challa tries to fix a broken kingdom, and Peter returns to school.

Starring

 * Mahershala Ali as James Rhodes/War Machine
 * Dave Bautista as Drax
 * Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa/Black Panther
 * Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon
 * Benedict Cumberbatch
 * Karen Gillan as Nebula
 * Matthew Gray Gubler as Bruce Banner/Hulk
 * Chris Hemsworth as Thor
 * Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
 * Pom Klementieff as Mantis
 * Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon
 * Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch
 * Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord
 * David Ramsay as Groot
 * Katee Sackhoff as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel
 * Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier
 * Mike Vogel as Clint Barton/Hawkeye

Ratings
"The New Normal" was first aired in the United States on ABC on September 24, 2019. It was watched live by 18.94 million viewers with a 7.0 rating among adults aged 18 to 49. This made it the most-watched scripted broadcast of the week, and the highest-rated program overall, even beating Sunday Night Football. After seven days of DVR viewing, the episode was bumped to 30.68 million viewers and an 11.1 rating.

Critical response
The episode received acclaim from critics. IGN rated the episode a 9/10, calling it "Amazing". The A.V. Club gave it a grade of "A-". Den of Geek gave it 5 out of 5 stars, while Entertainment Weekly gave it a "B+". Rotten Tomatoes calculated a 100% approval rating, based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 8.93/10.