The agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continue their search for new Inhumans while also trying to track down HYDRA leader, Gideon Malick. Phil Coulson is still dealing with the death of Rosalind Price and things are still a little awkward between Fitz and Simmons. None of them are aware Grant Ward escaped the alien planet after Coulson killed him.

Warning: Spoilers for season 3, episode 11 of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., “Bouncing Back,” will be discussed below.

President Won’t Publicly Support S.H.I.E.L.D.

Phil Coulson meets with the President in Rosalind’s apartment, where she was killed. He tells Coulson he doesn’t know how S.H.I.E.L.D. still exists, but he’s happy it does. He can’t give them official acknowledgement since the public still remembers their fall (in Captain America: The Winter Soldier). He wants them to work in secret, like a black ops team.

The President also can’t help with Coulson’s hunt for Gideon Malick, the former member of the World Council who has been revealed to be a leader of HYDRA. His hands are tied, but Coulson’s are not. The President tells Coulson a new head of the ACTU (Advanced Threat Containment Unit) will be appointed to help out S.H.I.E.L.D.

A New Inhuman Could be Joining the Team

Daisy, Joey, Mack, Hunter, and Bobbi go to Colombia to investigate an attack against the local police by a possible new Inhuman. A powered individual stole guns from the police. The Inhuman is a speedster, of sorts. She can move at lightning speed but only as far as she can go within a heartbeat. Then she snaps back to her original place.

This Inhuman is known as Slingshot in the Marvel Comics. Her reason for stealing the guns was so they wouldn’t be used by the corrupt police. She is offered a spot on Daisy’s Secret Warriors but wants to stay and help her people.

Coulson Gets Closer to Finding Gideon Malick

It turns out Werner Von Strucker survived his attack and betrayal by Malick. He’s in a coma, but Coulson is decides to use him to get a lead to Malick’s location. He places him in the “Tahiti” brain machine used on him after his death in order to find out how Werner was able to set up a meet with Gideon. Coulson later goes to the location to place a call to Malick, letting him know he’s close to taking him down.

Ward has Been Transformed

Grant Ward was killed by Coulson last episode. The ancient entity HYDRA was trying to bring over has inhabited his body. As he eats and watches TV, he refers to people as “humans.” He is becoming something else. Gideon has some doubts whether or not the entity is actually here or if it’s just Ward that returned. The entity tells Malick he’ll soon make him believe.

A New Head of the ACTU is Appointed

Rosalind Price was the head of the ACTU. She formed a close relationship with Coulson before Grant Ward killed her. The President informs Coulson the new head of the ACTU will be General Glen Talbot. Talbot and Coulson have butted heads before but have also managed to work together. It’s going to be a tough working relationship.

Disaster is Coming in 3 Months

The episode opened with a quinjet out in space. An ominous “3 Months From Now” was revealed with no signs of life on board. A crucifix was shown floating in the zero gravity. This could be an indication that Slingshot will be joining the Secret Warriors within the next three months. Why the agents would be out in space remains to be seen.

Thoughts

This was another strong episode. The introduction of new Inhumans continues to add excitement to the show as we get to see more superpowered individuals on screen. It’s getting to be a race between S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA since both are trying to obtain them for different reasons. With Slingshot refusing to join the team and Joey being allowed to go home, it almost looks like the Secret Warriors’ numbers are waning. It’s safe to assume they will return as the show moves towards the end of the season.

Coulson is treading dangerous territory with his hunt for Gideon Malick. It’s clear on some level he wants revenge for the death of Rosalind. We haven’t seen any real follow up on the fact he killed Ward last issue. Placing Werner in the brain machine was another drastic move, but it showed he’s willing to do whatever it takes to find Malick.

It’s hard to see Ward in his transformed state as The Hive. Malick may believe his arrival is what HYDRA has been working on for centuries, but it could prove to be a dangerous move for HYDRA and the world. It will be interesting to see the reaction from the original team when they discover what Grant is becoming.