7 Questions About SHIELD’s Official Return to the MCU
By Samantha Swank
Back in 2014, the MCU was changed forever when Captain America: The Winter Soldier disbanded the Hydra-infused S.H.I.E.L.D. But since there was, you know, a show called Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization didn’t exactly just disappear.
S.H.I.E.L.D. lived on, working in the shadows on ABC, while essentially dropping out of the cinematic movies. In season 3 of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division was reinstated (to some extent), and given power to operate while under the supervision of the ATCU.
But as of “Uprising” (season 4, episode 3), S.H.I.E.L.D. is officially back, and under the leadership of inhuman director, Jeffrey Mace (Jason O’Mara). The return of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been a long time coming, but what does it mean for the show—and for the MCU as a whole? Here are our seven biggest questions.
Here are our seven biggest questions for SHIELD’s grand return:
1. How will the public react to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s return?
Last everyone heard, the organization was basically being run by Nazis and letting superheroes do whatever they want. But now, with the Sokovia Accords in play—and with the addition of inhumans—the new and improved S.H.I.E.L.D.’s responsibilities are just as important. So will the people be able to trust that the organization has reformed?
2. How will S.H.I.E.L.D.’s resurgence impact the Sokovia Accords?
Part of the reason the Sokovia Accords were founded in the first place is because no one was governing superheroes. But now with S.H.I.E.L.D. back in the game, will they take over some of that responsibility? Does a governing organization like S.H.I.E.L.D. negate the need for the Accords?
3. What will S.H.I.E.L.D.’s role be in the upcoming Infinity War?
The Avengers will be back for another installment in 2018, but will S.H.I.E.L.D. be there with them? Will that movie be the platform from which S.H.I.E.L.D. will be reintroduced to the MCU?
4. Will Jeffrey Mace (or any other S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives) make an appearance in Infinity War?
If S.H.I.E.L.D. makes an appearance in the movie, there’s got to be some discussion of leadership and how all this came about, right? Or at least a name drop.
5. Will Nick Fury have anything to do with the new S.H.I.E.L.D.?
If Nick makes an appearance in any future Marvel movies, will he play any role in the revived organization? He’s out of the game now, but that was largely because S.H.I.E.L.D. went away. Now that it’s back, will Fury be back, too?
6. Will the Avengers FINALLY find out that Coulson is still alive?
Let’s stop keeping secrets, everybody. S.H.I.E.L.D. is back in the open again; can’t Coulson be, too? Please? Steve would be so happy.
7. WILL ANYONE FROM S.H.I.E.L.D. EVER GET TO CROSS OVER TO THE MOVIES???
This is my eternal MCU question, to be honest. Fury and Hill and tons of other people come down to S.H.I.E.L.D., but no one ever gets to go in the other direction? NOT FAIR, MARVEL. I want Tony to work alongside FitzSimmons, Natasha to spar with May, Daisy to meet Wanda, and Coulson to be reunited with his team. S.H.I.E.L.D. is back, and there is a world of opportunities again. Let’s make it happen.
Agents of SHIELD airs Tuesdays on ABC at 10 p.m.
By Samantha Swank