After a successful fourth season, which included the introduction of the fan-favorite Ghost Rider, the incorporation of psychopathic Life Model Decoys, and a trip into a virtual reality, Agents Of Shield (AOS) will return tonight at 8 p.m. with the long-awaited premiere of the 5th season. On Nov. 26, Marvel released the first 17 minutes of the premiere episode, leaving fans with even more questions. Here’s what to expect from the 5th season.
Agents Of Space
Similar to last season, this season will be split up into three sections. The first will revolve around space.
In the last scene of Season 4, fans were left with a cliffhanger as team leader Phil Coulson appeared to be in space. That’s all we knew before the release of the trailer and, more recently, the 17-minute clip. The clip shows Phil Coulson and his team being abducted by a group of people, one of whom appeared to be an alien-like creature wearing a human mask. Coulson, along with his team, Yo-Yo, Daisy, May, Mack, and Simmons, is taken to a room containing a rock similar to the one which transported Simmons to a different planet in Season 2 and they are then swept away to an unknown spaceship (Fitz is mysteriously left behind as he is “not on the list”). Coulson and the rest of the team then must navigate this foreign territory and the unfamiliar dangers it poses (alien “roaches” are attacking the ship and there are dead bodies everywhere) while trying to figure out who captured them and why they were sent to space.
They encounter Virgil, who seemingly knows all about their captors and claims they are there to save humanity. When he begins to explain in more detail, in true Agents of Shield fashion, Virgil is killed by one of the roaches and the agents are left to unravel the mystery and evade the ever-present dangers on their own.
The trailer additionally shows the return of the Kree and a new character that looks a lot like Star Lord.
Tie-Ins with the Marvel Universe
With the success of "Thor: Ragnarok," which also took place in space, and the recent release of the "Avengers: Infinity War" trailer, fans should expect some sort of tie-ins with the rest of the Marvel Universe. The AOS team has been pretty preoccupied with their own problems and probably don’t have time to worry about what the characters in the ever-expanding Marvel Universe are up to.
But, since the producers are still adamant about everything being connected, there will likely be some name-dropping and possibly some cameos from some minor movie characters.
Fitz-Simmons Drama
Agent of Shield’s resident genius scientist couple has been through a lot in the last 4 seasons. They have been dropped to the bottom of the ocean, leaving Fitz with brain damage in Season 1; Simmons was dragged off to a different planet, Maveth, where she started a live triangle, and Fitz is now dealing with VR memories of his murderous leadership role in a world ruled by Hydra. This couple has seen their fair share of trials and drama. This season, the writers and producers decided to challenge their relationship even more as they will start off the season separated.
Fitz is the only member of the team left on Earth while Simmons is in space with the rest of the group. Fans can expect some more emotional and heart-breaking scenes between the two characters, which are only made more intense by the amazing performances by Elizabeth Henstridge and Iain De Caestecker.
New and Returning Characters
Most of the season regulars will return in the fifth season, and some new characters will appear. It was announced that Natalia Cordova-Buckley, who plays Elena “Yo-Yo” Rodriguez, was promoted to season regular and Grant Ward, who has played a role in every season so far will not be seen in Season 5. Jeff Ward will be playing a major role in this season as Deke, and Eve Harlow, Coy Stewart, and Pruitt Taylor Vince will be playing Tess, Flint and Grill, respectively.
Additionally, it was recently confirmed that Dove Cameron, of Disney Channel fame, will be playing a Top-Secret role in the new season. Finally, it was announced that Hunter, played by Nick Blood, will return sometime this season but when we will see him still remains a mystery.
Open Questions from season 4
Season four left us with a lot of questions and open storylines to be explored. Of course, the Coulson-May tumultuous romance was alluded to but seemed to fizzle out by season’s end. There is potential to tie into the deal that Coulson made with the Ghost Rider in his effort to destroy Aida during the Season Finale. Additionally, how Fitz will recover his psyche, which was scarred by his trauma in the virtual reality, remains a mystery.
As always, this unpredictable action drama promises to keep us guessing and on the edge of our seats as it tackles new complex plotlines.
Marvel's Agents of Shield will air Fridays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
