4. Has Melinda May Been In Space Before?
There’s a throwaway line in the trailer that’s worth exploring. When Jemma and Melinda May jump behind the controls of a spaceship Jemma asks May, “Do you know how to fly a spaceship” before May responds “You know the answer to that question.” It’s easily written off as Melinda May simply being good at everything (which she is), but …she flies it astonishingly well.
That’s worth talking about. The shots in space are gorgeous, beyond pale and something never seen on ABC but May takes off like she knows what she’s doing which is intriguing, to say the least. Does it have any connection to the people in space? Are they on a SHIELD-issue space station? Rumors of the team’s space pointed to SWORD for months. Jeph Leob jossed that theory, but is it possible that SWORD or more likely Alpha Flight are a part of the SHIELD universe (or were at some point) and Melinda May has been there and flown those spaceships?
In which case, does that mean that these people have taken refuge on an abandoned space station? Does it connect to anything (or is there, like the comics, a “man in the wall”? Is that where Nick Fury is? the possibilities are endless.)
It’s most likely (indeed, obviously) that May is just simply quick thinking and figured out the controls right away. Still, it’s worth imagining that there are secrets that even Coulson and Fury are keeping the team at large and just what those ramifications might have.
5. Mack’s Got Jokes! The Team Gets Funny
Anyone who’s been a fan of Agents of SHIELD knows that the show has it’s dramatic moments that tug at the heartstrings. The positive ones always come, but not before the writers’ tug at the heartstrings of all involved and flip the script repeatedly. Last season’s Framework pod ended on a positive-ish note with the team all enjoying pie before they were tugged into space, but that won’t last for long. The issue is that there will always be dramatic circumstances for all concerned. Rumor has it that there might be someone being left behind in the tug to space which should put whoever he or she is in danger.
The team has always met dangerous situations with their particularly balanced brand of gallows humor and wisecracks. Mack’s got quite a few lines in the trailer that is both timely and funny. He’s always had jokes but hopefully, this season will see him get more fully realized character arcs and screentime. Jokes are nothing new but hopefully no matter what dramatic arcs are in store for everyone’s favorite characters they’ll manage to keep their sense of humor.
Whatever is planned for the team in the wake of season 5, it’s sure to be engaging and exciting for fans who have been with them on their journey. The team has come a long way since the first betrayal by HYDRA and while that event has defined their work they’re far beyond that first step into something truly Galactic. As the MCU turns it’s gaze to the skies to defeat Thanos, Coulson’s team will be the first there, just like always making us laugh and cry and break down all the way.
There are probably DOZENS of different things we might have missed as far as the new SHIELD trailer. Did we tackle some of your favorites? Do you have any favorite theories that you want to share about just where they’re going and what they’re doing? Sound off and share your thoughts in the comments below. Agents of SHIELD returns to television December 1st at 9 p.m.