Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Providence is the 18th episode of the season and follows the stunning developments that revealed that not only was Hydra deeply embedded in S.H.I.E.L.D. from the start but that Agent Ward was one of Hydra’s top agents all along. However the team doesn’t know the latter yet and believe Ward is part of the team transporting the Clairvoyant to holding but instead they’re attempting to break Raina out of prison. Raina, who is also unaware of Ward’s true allegiance is apprehensive when she sees him enter her cell until he gives her a gift from the Clairvoyant, a new flower dress. He wouldn’t keep her in suspense for long as soon after he breaks her out he brings her to a barbershop to meet the Clairvoyant, and she’s surprised and disappointed it’s actually Agent Garrett and he doesn’t have any special abilities. She calls him a fraud but he explains to her it was just some necessary subterfuge to throw S.H.I.E.L.D. off his trail and it worked. He tells her something else that surprises her about who she’s been working for all along when he says welcome to Hydra. Meanwhile Coulson and his team are trying to decide on what to do next especially considering all that’s out there in the world now as a result of recent events. He receives a call from Colonel Talbot who claims he wants to send a peacekeeping force to secure the area despite S.H.I.E.L.D. reclaiming a few of their bases. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. has been labeled a terrorist organization by many, how can Coulson’s team survive when they not only have to contend with Hydra but forces who were once their allies?

I’ve been loving the recent events and tone of the series and it’s as bold as I’ve been wanting it to be all season. I admit I did get a little apprehensive about them rolling back the changes and returning to the status quo but then I remembered the monumental changes affect the greater Marvel Universe and not just this show and I feel relieved. I wasn’t sure about Ward’s new status as a villain and not from the standpoint of him playing that role because I love that change but the show’s previous tendency to make villains good at the last moment. This episode did a great job in alleviating that concern and also solidified my enjoyment of Ward as a Hydra agent. Raina’s statements to Agent Garrett summed up what I’m sure at least a few people felt about him being the Clairvoyant and this was a great starting point as well. And Coulson’s team would be on the run immediately after Talbot’s call keeping in line with the recent changes and Skye would wipe out all of their identities taking them off the grid. However Coulson isn’t sure about Agent Triplett because he worked as part of Garrett’s team but Simmons vouches for him based on his protection of her and resistance to Hydra. Their main dilemma, where to go next, is still unsolved and since they only have about 4 hours of fuel it’s a matter of contention between Coulson and May since no location appears to be safe and she still has doubts about his mental state. It’s not just her but the entire team is questioning what they should do next and Fitz and Skye offer words of support for Coulson for their respective reasons. Coulson feels lost until a badge he received from Nick Fury goes off for the first time ever and it has coordinates on it. He takes it as a sign, a message, while May believes it isn’t and at best it’s a dead-end and at worst it’s a trap. However this is all he has to go on, and it’s his plane after all so the team heads to that location with the others not knowing how much fuel they actually have left.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Providence is an excellent episode that gives me extreme confidence that the S.H.I.E.L.D.’s post-Captain America 2 world will be full of electrifying developments, solid storytelling and great character development. I was on board with Ward being a Hydra agent but after this episode I feel that way even more and Garrett seemed more capable as the Clairvoyant too. Hydra’s push and S.H.I.E.L.D. being labeled a terrorist organization creates the perfect platform for future events and Coulson’s passionate plea gives the team its context and I’m excited for this. Despite an unusual amount of trust being put in Ward and lack of concern regarding the Clairvoyant considering recent events at least it won’t be dragged out as developments mean this will be addressed next issue, and I can’t wait.