[SPOILERS ahead for those not caught up on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Life Model Decoy arc has begun to seriously heat up in recent episodes, with the team recently discovering that Agent Melinda May had been abducted and replaced with an android built by former ally Dr. Holden Radcliffe. To make matters worse, the rogue scientist has teamed up with a dangerous band of anti-Inhumans and managed to get his hands on the mysterious Darkhold - a book of unimaginable power that even the mighty Nick Fury was scared of.
Given Radcliffe’s ability to create undetectable L.M.D. versions of human beings - so long as he has an opportunity to ‘download’ the original’s brain data - it’s only natural that the revelation regarding Agent May would begin to cause paranoia within the S.H.I.E.L.D. ranks. But time is very much against Coulson and friends as they must prevent Radcliffe from using the Darkhold and rescue the real Agent May and this is made far more difficult by the current suspicion within the group.
ABC have released both a new teaser clip from tonight’s (February 7th) episode - titled ‘BOOM’ - and an intriguing brief synopsis for forthcoming episode ‘Self Control’ that seems to tease a further L.M.D. threat in S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. The synopsis reads: “As more LMDs infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D., suspicion begins to turn to paranoia among the members of Coulson’s team.” The clip meanwhil,e depicts Daisy Johnson a.k.a. Quake literally cracking skulls in order to gain a lead on Radcliffe’s whereabouts.
The synopsis certainly seems to confirm that more L.M.D.s have managed to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D., although it’s unclear where this will be another major character such as Fitz - the character Radcliffe would’ve had the best opportunity to copy - or simply some redshirt agents in the background. As for the teaser clip, it seems that the Watchdogs have finally turned on their previous employer Senator Nadeer; and assuming the politician survived, S.H.I.E.L.D. may be gaining a useful, if somewhat reluctant, ally.
Given what little is currently known about ‘Self Control’ - an episode which could possibly represent the finale of the show’s L.M.D. story - it’s feasible that a few surprises lay in wait for viewers. As things currently stand, the arc is missing a big main villain and it could be that with the Darkhold now in their possession, either Radcliffe or The Superior is able to gain some kind of supernatural power from the tome and subsequently transform into a recognizable Marvel baddie.
Alternatively, there have been several hints throughout the L.M.D. plot at the possibility that these powerful androids will become sentient and launch a bid for freedom from human control. With the number of L.M.D.s seemingly increasing with each episode, the S.H.I.E.L.D. team could be facing a robotic revolution before the story reaches its climax and this will likely spell bad news for Radcliffe, as independence-seeking androids rarely like to keep their creators around.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues tonight with ‘BOOM’ on ABC.
Source: ABC (via MCU Exchange)
