Ghost Rider may be sticking around past tomorrow's season finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as new dimensions and ancient wars are being teased in the MCU. After introducing Ghost Rider to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, season four of S.H.I.E.L.D. has put the character on the back-burner while they explore the rise of AIDA and the alternate reality of the Framework. Of course, as we recently had confirmed from a clip from tomorrow's finale, the two plots aren't so separate. While AIDA's new powers may be connected to the Inhumans, they're true source is the Darkhold which Ghost Rider spent most of his arc hunting.
With the agents up against a powerful new threat, Robbie Reyes will be returning from his extra-dimensional hell to help S.H.I.E.L.D. confront AIDA and put a stop to her meddling in dangerous forces. We've seen all season the terrible knowledge contained within the mystic book, and watched as it corrupted Robbie's uncle. Now, after spending time in a sort of quantum limbo, the Rider has returned to destroy AIDA and cease her malignant influence on the Earth.
ET also has a new clip from tomorrow's episode, explaining why Robbie came back and teasing the future of SHIELD and its corner of the MCU.
CLICK for ET's Ghost Rider/S.H.I.E.L.D. Clip
More than just explain that AIDA herself is made up of the energy from within the Darkhold, the clip hints at a number of more fantastical developments. Robbie not only teases the existence of other dimensions and worlds, but claims that the recent events of the show are all part of a centuries-old war. It's unlikely that such a cryptic and sinister-sounding tease will be forgotten with the finale, and it's looking more and more like that Robbie and his metaphysical battle will continue in the now-confirmed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 5.
TV Line, meanwhile, sat down with S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell and co-showrunner Jed Whedon ahead of the season 4 finale, to ask what the episode will set up for next season and whether we can expect Ghost Rider to return:
BELL: Each year we’ve tried to reinvent the series in some way, in concept. And we will try to do that again. Without talking about characters, I think the end [of Tuesday’s finale] really does suggest something quite different….
WHEDON: …and we’ll see what that means. But yes, there’ll be a little bit of a tease.
While they don't confirm Robbie's return, it's hard to imagine the popular character won't be back. And if the tease they're mentioning has anything to do with the Darkhold or an extra-dimensional war, Ghost Rider will certainly be a key part of that plan moving forward.
There's no telling how much longer S.H.I.E.L.D. will stay on the air, but Ghost Rider is a strong enough character to warrant a spinoff, should the show wrap up in the foreseeable future. With that in mind, putting him front and center for a more mystical storyline could not only serve to set up his future, but would further connect to the likes of Doctor Strange and other science-magic corners of the MCU. Luckily, we should know more about what the future holds tomorrow.
NEXT: AIDA's Master Plan Revealed
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4 concludes tomorrow, May 16th, with ‘World’s End’ on ABC.