[SPOILERS for those not caught up on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ahead.]
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One of the biggest mysteries Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 left viewers with was the identity of the newest director, following Coulson stepping down from the job. The show did not wait too long to reveal the newest leader's name, with Jason O'Mara assuming the identity of Jeffrey Mace aka The Patriot. As director, he has implemented some notable changes to the now public organization, but through it all there has been a level of secrecy surrounding his powers and his loyalties.
Once the show returns from their winter break, the focus will be shifting to Aida and her master plan for Life Model Decoys, but there will also be a renewed focus on learning more about Director Mace. In doing so, the show will perhaps uncover his true agenda.
EW took the chance to tease the upcoming reveal(s) regarding Mace in their latest addition of Spoiler Room. They teased that the show will unearth Mace's "true agenda" as viewers get the chance to learn more about him. Co-showrunner Jed Whedon spoke about the reveals as well, stating how hard it is to trust a man who smiles that much.
There’s a general question with him in terms of being all about trust. 'The team that trusts is the team that triumphs!’ A guy who is always saying that who is new and that smiley who has a secret, it’s hard to trust him. Even in episode 8, he started asking questions about the Darkhold. I don’t think it’s totally clear where he stands.
Mace's intentions initially seemed harmless and he acted the part of being a new leader well, but ultimately his secret association with Senator Nadeer (Parminder Nagra) has started to be made known. Mace went out of his way to reveal that he was an Inhuman, but the show has so far not actually revealed how that came to be - or if it is actually true. Their relationship is especially interesting considering the fact S.H.I.E.L.D. has other Inhumans working for them, while Nadeer has a secret one stuck in Terrigenisis of her own.
As the show moves forward, there should be plenty of time for them to reveal more of Mace's backstory and intentions. After all, the show will be exploring how he got his powers, while an upcoming episode synopsis has teased that viewers are only a few episodes away from learning about at least one of his secrets. Regardless of how well Mace is or will be in the director's chair, there is no telling how long it will last if he is secretly working deals for personal gain behind the backs of everyone else. Should things not work out with Mace, Coulson has already suggested Daisy take the job - something Whedon has hinted at happening recently - so Mace may want to try and right his wrongs before he is out of a job.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns with ‘Broken Promises’ January 10th at 10pm on ABC.
Source: EW