‘Agents of SHIELD’ season 2, episode 16 reaction: What Deathlok really means

“Agents of SHIELD” is killing it with the surprises as of late. We’ve had Raina as the same facility as Lincoln and Skye, Gonzales trying to turn Melinda May, and Simmons pulling a fast one on Mack and Bobbi. But seeing J. August Richards again as Deathlok? This was not on our radar.

Phil Coulson does have many secrets, and this is one that he is probably grateful that he kept. This is a powerful ally that he needed right when Gonzales and the Real SHIELD were starting to gain ground. While he may still seemingly have Melinda May, Simmons, and Fitz at his disposal, how long can they withstand a tide that is turning against them? With Deathlok, it’s another ace in the hole.

So what has this man been up to in his time away? Of course, Richards has to do what he can to be coy (this is “Agents of SHIELD,” after all), but he did offer up a brief tease on the subject to Entertainment Weekly after the episode wrapped:

“Coulson has had Deathlok in his back pocket since we saw him last. So he pulls me out of hiding to help him out with this really huge mission that is vital to S.H.I.E.L.D. As you can see, I got a lot of upgrades while I’ve been gone. My costume is very different. There are things that are still the same. The character has been evolving since we’ve seen him last. This is like Deathlok 2.0.”

Richards also said that eventually, you may find out more about what happens when he meets up with some other team members, or if he has had any interaction with his son. The show left a ton of loose ends with this character, and they are going to be fun to dive in and explore now.

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