Over the course of the first three seasons, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has had a shift in focus. Upon the inception of the show, resurrected agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) seemed to be the selling point, along with possible ties to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Slowly, Chloe Bennet grew into the lead role of Skye, whose real name is Daisy Johnson. The reveal of her true identity was a changing point in season two, and made everyone wonder if she would ever reach her comic potential.
She might not ever be the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., but she is finally coming into her own and realizing her full potential. Unfortunately for her, it came at a cost and has put her in a dark place moving into season 4.
Bennet recently talked to THR about the change that Daisy has undergone following the deaths of Grant Ward and Lincoln Campbell. As the series showed in the season finale time jump, she has earned her superhero name, Quake, but it has left her alone and away from her second family at S.H.I.E.L.D. This may not be the best way for her to go about solving her problems, and even Bennet does not agree with Daisy’s decision, but she has loved becoming the hero known throughout the world now as Quake:
It was amazing. I love that it all stems from this hurt that she’s going through. It’s not necessarily her being this great superhero all of a sudden. She really becomes Quake because of the past she’s had and the loss she’s dealing with. It’s not perfect. That’s why Marvel resonates with so many people, the level of imperfection that these so-called superheroes have. She becomes Quake because she goes rogue, because every time she gets close to someone they die. Her mom tried to kill her and her dad had to kill her mom and her first boyfriend was like a Nazi – she’s had a rough go these past couple of years. Having her boyfriend Lincoln sacrifice himself for her when she was going to do it for him and die in that heroic, tragic way while talking to her, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Her way of protecting the people that she cares about is really by distancing herself from them and not letting anyone else get close to her. In her mind, that’s her way of showing love to the people she cares about.
We already know that Daisy is not with S.H.I.E.L.D. and considering the family nature the group has, it is hard to imagine them staying apart for too long. There could be a scenario where she has reunited with the agency, and the new mysterious director, by the end of the season premiere, but that does not appear to be the case after all. Bennet reveals they are already filming the third episode of the season and does not indicate that the reunion has happened just yet:
I don’t think it will last very long, but we’re on episode three and I’ve had some of the best days I’ve ever had shooting these scenes. I’m doing some of the most crazy stunts I’ve ever done. It’s laced with all this pain and resentment. She’s seeking penance for the loss that she feels responsible for.
Daisy embracing the Quake moniker should be a good sign for not only the series but potentially to fans as well. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has spent a lot of time dancing around the idea of being a fully fledged superhero show, but it looks like they are embracing that for season 4. Not only is Daisy now going by Quake, but they are bringing in Ghost Rider and Life-Model Decoys such as the recently cast Aida. Hopefully this will help the series stay strong and attract new viewers as well.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4 premieres Tuesday, September 20 @10pm on ABC.
