Before Ghost Rider was introduced and became a fan-favorite character, one of the most anticipated reveals for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4 was the new S.H.I.E.L.D. director. His identity was held under wraps up until the season began airing, but it was eventually revealed that Jason O'Mara would be playing Jeffrey Mace aka The Patriot. As director, Mace has so far been involved with a secret deal with an anti-Inhuman senator, revealed to the world he is an Inhuman, reinstituted Daisy Johnson as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, and finally suited up himself to stop Eli Morrow.
Through it all however, Mace's origin and history have remained a mystery. That could change after the show returns from its mid-season break, with a Patriot-heavy tenth episode that promises to reveal a shocking secret about him.
ABC has released the synopsis for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4, episode 10, 'The Patriot', and it appears that more conflict within S.H.I.E.L.D. is on the horizon, after Mace's latest secret is uncovered:
Coulson and Mack discover a shocking secret about Mace, which leaves all of S.H.I.E.L.D. in a dangerous position.
Guests: Jason O'Mara, Mallory Jansen, Adrian Pasdar, Maximilian Osinski, Patrick Cavanaugh, Troy Caylak, Kimberley Drummond, Shelly Robertson, Alastair Bayardo
It is impossible to guess what other secrets Mace could be holding, but it sounds as though it is not a good one for anyone involved with S.H.I.E.L.D. This secret could be tied to his allegiances, as Adrian Pasdar is set to reprise his role as Glenn Talbot once again. Mace could be looking to have allies outside of the military or the ATCU, which Talbot was formerly put in command of. On the other hand, Talbot's appearance may be coincidental and have very little to do with the secret that Mace has.
If the secret is truly as shocking and dangerous as is being teased, then S.H.I.E.L.D. could once again be looking for a new director sooner rather than later. The show's EPs previously stated that Daisy could one day make that jump, but it is too soon for her to do that right now. Still, if Mace has other secrets he is hiding, it does not look like he will be the long-term director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but instead serve as a stopgap between Coulson and Daisy.
As the show veers away from Ghost Rider and turns the focus to LMDs, it is interesting to then devote an episode entirely to Mace. It is possible that Mace's secret could be ties to LMDs, but he has so far only just learned about Aida being one, so for him to already be working with her in any way would be too quick of a turn, too.
NEXT: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 2017 Midseason Premiere Synopsis & Photos
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D season 4 continues on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 with ‘Broken Promises’ at 10pm on ABC.
Source: ABC