‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Midseason Finale Spoilers And Sneak Peeks: Coulson’s Mindset And The Team’s Plan

Considering what happened in the last Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode, “Closure,” it’s hard to imagine what they have planned for the midseason finale, “Maveth.” An excursion to an alien planet – with someone sneaking along – sounds like something for a season finale, maybe even a midseason finale, but not the episode before the one leading into a hiatus.

In the latest Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ward struck again, killing Rosalind and then inflicting pain – physical and emotional – on Fitz and Simmons as Hydra became determined to go to the alien planet and get the monstrous inhuman there. It didn’t help matters when Coulson took Ward’s brother and threatened him; but, in the end, it was Fitz’s decision to go through the portal with Ward and Hydra that saved Simmons. Unbeknownst to them, Coulson tagged along, diving into the portal at the last minute. However, while there’s a way home for Ward and the others, that’s not the case for Coulson, who, upon arriving on the planet, also wasn’t in any position to even see the others. Perhaps it was not the best plan for Coulson.

Clark Gregg told The Hollywood Reporter that what Coulson did was not done as “the director” but rather as “just a man.” Still, part of it does have to do with him feeling responsible for what Ward has done.

“The director of SHIELD should not be going on a quest for vengeance like that… Coulson really holds himself responsible for the people that Ward has maimed and killed since they partnered up with him last season. He chose to be pragmatic in that moment and it has led to terrible consequences for a lot of people and he blames himself.”

What does that mean for Coulson in the next Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode? Expect to see “this new vein of Coulson unleashed, the return of a guy named Agent who is out for revenge and doesn’t care too much about anything that doesn’t help him achieve the settling of that score,” according to the actor.

ABC has released a sneak peek from the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. midseason finale, in which the team assesses the situation. When Mack wonders what Coulson was thinking when he jumped into the portal, Hunter tells him it was more that he was “feeling that Ward needs to die” and that he was planning to jump as well. Then, he and Bobbi fill in the acting Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. on the fact that either Fitz or Simmons likely went through the portal as well, which means they have to come up with a plan to “take the ultra-fortified Hydra castle and open the alien portal.” There is no way that’s going to be anywhere in the realm of “easy.”

To make matters worse, it looks like Hydra has also brought in 10-12 of the gel-matrix containers holding Inhumans, which May realizes could include Andrew. It’s time for Joey to get a crash course in how things work with this team and how their plans turn to, as Hunter calls them, “rubbish.”

TVLine also has a sneak peek. In it, fans can see what Simmons is up to while (hopefully) waiting for Fitz’s return through the portal. However, as she determines, Malick’s team’s calculations are off when it comes to how much time they have once the portal reopens, and on that planet, every second counts. However, instead of offering anything that might be in someway construed as a reassurance, if only when it comes to Ward and the others’ returns, Malick reminds her of the word carved around the castle – Death – and what it means for Fitz.

“Death is the only thing returning through that portal. Fitz was just an offering to show him the door.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.

[Image via ABC]