Marvel and ABC have had their fair share of bumps and bruises while making Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but the show has continued to develop into a quality corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Season four has further proved this to be the case by introducing Robbie Reyes as Ghost Rider, teasing Johnny Blaze, and bringing a darker, more mature tone to each episode. The inclusion of Ghost Rider and Marvel Studios' recently released film Doctor Strange have brought the supernatural to the MCU, which is being given just as much attention on the small screen as it is in theaters.
Viewers were finally able to witness Robbie's origin in the latest episode, but with the show on a four week hiatus, the ending to the episode has left audiences wondering what has happened to some of the familiar faces. After Eli Morrow successfully applied the teachings of the Darkhold, an explosion caused Coulson, Robbie, and Fitz to disappear from sight. While this has led to some grim speculation, Clark Gregg is hinting all is well with the trio.
EW asked Gregg about the ending to "The Good Samaritan" and if Coulson, Robbie, and Fitz are dead. Even though that appears to be one possibility, the more likely option is that Morrow's machine turning them into ghosts. How they come back from this state remains to be seen, but Gregg's comments make it clear that the show did not just kill off three of their most popular characters at once.
"The more sophisticated audience members will suspect that Coulson may not be dead in episode 6 of season 4, and probably the same goes for Fitz and young Robbie Reyes."
The seemingly confirmed reveal that all three are still alive is not going to shock anyone. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., just like many other television programs, has previously alluded to the deaths of characters, only for the events to play out very differently than initially suspected.
Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) has already experienced the effect of a ghost's touch, only to be saved by Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), Dr. Radcliffe (John Hannah), and Aida (Mallory Jansen). If they have already figured out how to cure these hallucinations, then finding a solution to bring Coulson, Robbie, and Fitz back to their regular physical forms is not out of the question.
The wildcard in this scenario would be Ghost Rider himself. He has previously shown the ability to maintain contact with ghosts, and even kill them; blurring the lines between the two levels of existence. If he too is an actual ghost, it should be interesting to see how his powers translate to the side of dead. He could be the key to saving the group and just doesn't know it yet. Whatever the case may be, the real answers and solutions should be revealed when the show returns.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fourth season returns Tuesday, November 29 at 10:00 pm on ABC.
Source: EW