The fourth season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been drastically different in a number of ways to the previous three. The introduction of Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider and his evil uncle, Eli Morrow, added an extra level of mythology to the world of the show as well as a significant amount of darkness to its tone and style. The series has made a habit out of bringing together and separating its main cast members at a fairly regular pace so far, and with the introduction of the mysterious, superpowered new Director Jeffrey Mace (Jason O'Mara), the dynamic between the show's original group of heroes has been shaken up in more ways than one.

Mace didn't take long to make his presence known to the other characters, but frankly, not much is known about him. Both viewers and some of the show's actual characters have been left asking questions about Mace that they're not sure will ever actually be answered. Luckily, it seems S.H.I.E.L.D. will be offering some explanations for at least some of those burning questions when it returns next week from its winter hiatus.

While recently speaking with TVLine, O'Mara teased what fans can expect from the remainder of the fourth season, and how Mace will factor into it, including an explanation of how the character got his powers in the first place:

“How Mace got his powers, his whole backstory, is going to be a major part of the next batch of episodes. How he legitimizes Daisy is going to be revealed as well, so there's lots to look forward to there.”

The last viewers saw of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the series had taken a dark and unexpected turn when it revealed that AIDA the android had kidnapped the real Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) and replaced her with an android clone. AIDA, or rather Dr. Radcliffe's overall plans have yet to be revealed, of course, but it should prove to be a storyline with enough momentum and dramatic weight to fill out the rest of the season, especially following the stellar, Ghost Rider-driven first half.

How exactly Mace factors into that storyline in the future, especially as he tries to legitimize both Daisy and S.H.I.E.L.D. to the public eye once again, should prove to be interesting, including when, how, and if he eventually finds out about AIDA's deception. With superhuman strength and durability, Mace has been open with the public and his allies about his status as an Inhuman, but no other details about his real past or what led to him getting the powers in the first place have been revealed. Knowing that the series is planning on revealing those secrets in the second half of the season should help to give extra dimension and shading to the new S.H.I.E.L.D. director, especially as the show's new LMD storyline begins to develop.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns with ‘Broken Promises’ January 10 at 10pm on ABC.

Source: TVLine