[SPOILERS for those not caught up on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ahead.]

–

After eight Ghost Rider-filled episodes, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has made the transition to their second "pod" of the season, with this one focusing on LMDs. While it looked like Aida was positioned to be the new big bad, it is actually a combination of forces that will be testing S.H.I.E.L.D. Aida's creator Dr. Radcliffe came into possession of the Darkhold and is working with a new villain - Anton Ivanov aka The Superior, played by Zach McGowan - as Senator Nadeer continues to destroy the organization's public image.

Radcliffe and Superior's possession of the Darkhold is a recent development for the show after gaining access thanks to LMD May. Both individuals have their own reasoning behind wanting to have the Darkhold in their grasps, and in a new clip for next week's episode, it's the Superior's plan that begins to take shape.

Marvel released the new clip featuring Radcliffe and the Superior discussing their next move now that they have the dark magic book. Even though it was highly advised against, Superior took it upon himself to skim the book to learn the secret to ending all Inhuman life.

Superior's motives are still not crystal clear outside of his thinking that Coulson is somehow responsible for all of the alien activity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His reasoning behind wanting to kill all Inhumans is tied up in this mindset, but why he has such a disdain for them has not been revealed.

That said, reading the Darkhold in any capacity has proven to wield unwanted results, so it is possible his exposure to its teachings could allow him to better live up to his name. Given the current information known about him, there has so far been no reason for audiences to be fearful of him outside of his plan to potentially kill all Inhumans. If he is being set up to be the true big bad moving forward, it is possible S.H.I.E.L.D. could try to surprise audiences by revealing an alternate identity and/or powers that creates a more fear-inducing villain.

Regardless of the Superior's power, his team up with Radcliffe has already proven to be well worth it. Radcliffe has already delivered the Darkhold and now pure Terrigen crystals, which when combined with whatever he learned from the Darkhold should have the Superior well on his way to wiping out Inhumans. However, he also looks to create or sacrifice an Inhuman to further his plan in the coming episode. How this all plays out should be interesting to see unfold based on the episode's promo.

Next: The Superior’s Identity & Motives Explained

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues Tuesday, February 7th with ‘BOOM’ on ABC.

Source: Marvel