Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Roundtable: “Chaos Theory”

Fitz saved Simmons’ memory card from her broken phone. Inside it were all the updates she had recorded during her time on the other planet, giving a glimpse of how much she was thinking of him as well as a photo of her and Will. Fitz thinks he might have a clue to help find a portal. Coulson grew closer to Rosalind, who may be harboring dangerous secrets, and Daisy set her distrust of the woman aside long enough to save her life. May saved Andrew’s life as well, although she wasn’t sure at the time whether it would save him or kill him. According to Lincoln the transition to an Inhuman would eventually be complete and Andrew would become Lash full time. With Andrew injured and taking his own form, not Lash, he is placed with the other Inhumans Rosalind is holding until a cure can be found.

1. Fitz got a play by play of Simmons time on the other planet. Scientific purposes aside, do you think it was something Fitz personally needed to see play out?

Jan: My heart hurt for Fitz seeing the photo, but he also saw how much he meant to Jemma throughout all her recordings. I think he needed it in order to put into perspective how Jemma came to develop a relationship with someone else and it wasn’t something she rushed into.

Roz: Personally, yes I think Fitz needed to see what Jemma went through, not just for the scientific purposes of knowing what the planet was like, but for the mental and emotional experience she went through. If she saw him through his own traumas, I think he wanted to see hers, even in an abstract way.

Rueben: Yes and no. Yes, because it was further proof of what happened to her and to validate all that she told him. And no, because (of course) it was just that validation that Will is real and that in and of itself is heartbreaking for him.

Liz: I think it’s best. Jemma basically gave that phone to him knowing what was on it. I think it helped her to convey all she couldn’t say to Fitz but wanted to. And it lead to another clue as to where she was and possibly how to get there.

2. Has Rosalind developed trust in Daisy now that she saved her? Or is her distrust of Inhumans too deeply rooted?

Jan: I think she’s appreciative, and I think she considers Daisy an exception to the rule. But I think she still believes that overall the Inhumans are more a danger than an asset, and I don’t think she will change her mindset on that.

Roz: I doubt Rosalind actually trusts anyone in SHIELD, and I think she’ll always mistrust both Inhumans and SHIELD. Given what we saw at the end of the episode, she’s playing SHIELD well to get what she and probably HYDRA wants.

Rueben: I think she is obviously very thankful for the save, but I think there is so much more to her and her distrust of Inhumans that the save isn’t going to matter in the long run.

Liz: Oh, I don’t believe she trusts her any more, I just think she was grateful Daisy saved her. Trust doesn’t come out of one act of kindness.

3. Rosalind had a surprising and rather ominous phone call. Sounds like she was supposed to deliver Coulson. Is she in on the plan and playing Coulson, or just an unwitting pawn trusting the wrong person?

Jan: That was an interesting development. I did get a sense that she was playing Coulson to some degree, but I’m not sure she knows he’s in so much danger. She looks out for herself first, but also her mission. She likely thinks she’s doing the right thing for her cause, but doesn’t know exactly what the plan for Coulson might be and isn’t asking questions. I could be wrong though, she’s pretty cold and calculating so I wouldn’t be totally surprised if she was more involved.

Roz: She’s playing Coulson big time for that guy with Ward if I can tell anything about this show. Because of course she’s working for the wrong side and is slightly evil.

Rueben: I don’t think Rosalind could ever be played as a pawn so I think she believes that she is working with the right person for the right reason and just the way that Hydra was able to infiltrate SHIELD that it’s all a well-performed ruse.

Liz: I’m divided on that. Knowing who she’s working for makes me think that all information hasn’t been disclosed to her. But I also don’t want to be quick to trust her.

4. May had to make some big decisions this episode, shooting Andrew and then choosing to let Rosalind’s people keep him on ice. Knowing how dangerous Lash can be, do you think it was the right decision to keep him alive?

Jan: It was really the only decision May could make, it was already a big sacrifice for her…and she pulled the trigger not knowing if it would kill him. Once he was neutralized, she had to have some hope that a cure could be found and the Andrew she knew could be returned.

Roz: It’s probably the most logical decision right now, but I think she wants to understand how he can morph into Lash and for what reasons as they keep him alive.

Rueben: I’m torn about this because it’s Andrew, but he’s been changed so much by that mist from the book that he can’t ever go back. I think May made the right decision for that precise moment, but in the long run I don’t know if it was the best one.

Liz: That could be a dangerous decision. One they may regret later. But can Lash be killed? May shot him, not knowing he’d survive. She was shooting to kill. So that may be a moot point.

5. What was your favorite scene in “Chaos Theory”?

Jan: The final showdown when May shot Andrew, Coulson asked her how she knew it wouldn’t kill him and she replied that she didn’t. Intense and emotional.

Roz: In a sad sort of way, watching Fitz watch and listen to all of Jemma’s stories from the planet.

Rueben: Seeing the moments that Andrew and May shared in Hawaii were quite touching. I also liked how Lincoln stepped up in their attempt to capture Lash.

Liz: I loved it when Coulson was trying to hold off Lash. “Andrew, we’re friends! Well, maybe acquaintances. ” LOL!

6. Who was the episode MVP?

Jan: Agent May, without a doubt. Andrew is her emotional weak spot, and she was able to overcome that to do what was needed even though it was painful for her.

Roz: Mack for getting Lincoln back into play with his details about Lash for everyone else to know.

Rueben:It’s got to be May yet again just because of everything she had to do against Andrew.

Liz: Melinda May, without a doubt. We saw many emotions from her this episode. Her heartbreak over Andrew was killer.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC.

Images courtesy ABC/Eric McCandless/Byron Cohen