Brett Dalton

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4’s “What If” arc gave us the chance to revisit several characters from the series’ past, foremost among them Brett Dalton’s Grant Ward. It even seemed for a moment like the Framework might return Ward to the real world, but producers now clarify why Brett Dalton couldn’t participate in the series full-time.

At long last, this week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally revealed the significance of its Hydra-fied “Framework” reality, as Aida prepares to build herself a flesh-and-blood body in the real world. That could theoretically extend to other deceased characters returning in recent weeks, but EPs now throw some cold water on Ward’s full-time return.

Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ dives deeper into its Hydra-fied reality with some major “Identity and Change” for Fitz, but do Mack and Mace’s returns clarify anything about this weird “What If” world? And are we ready to hail Madame Hydra? Find out in our full review of ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s latest!

There’s no April Fools’ about it, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is going to be a very different show when Season 4 picks up next Tuesday with “What If … ” See for yourself, as Brett Dalton’s Ward returns in the first official clip, cluing Skye in on a Hydra twist to their new reality.

It remains an open question whether the Marvel movie and TV universes will ever reconcile, but Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will add a new wrinkle with its April 4 return. Catch a glimmer of the “What If” Hydra universe with first photos and a new synopsis for the final Season 4 “pod.”

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. won’t be back with its “What If” pod until sometime in April, but that isn’t stopping the team from imagining the past four seasons with a Hydra twist. See for yourself, with some clever posters showing how Agents of HYDRA might have unfurled in another reality.

Among the myriad losses created by actor Bill Paxton’s sudden passing, few might recall TV credits like the Twister star’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 stint as Hydra villain John Garrett. The character seemed thoroughly retired, though Season 4's recent introduction of a “What If” reality opened a door for Paxton to return, something producers have stepped up to clarify is not the case.

Tuesday’s climactic Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. arc lost all “Self Control” over the LMD arc, ending with one whopper of a twist. Daisy and Simmons headed inside the mysterious “Framework,” revealed as a “What If”-type world with one major Winter Soldier tweak. The closing stinger also teased a major return from the series’ past, which producers now confirm for the final April episodes.

Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ closes Season 3 on a (literal) high note between “Absolution” and “Ascension,” but does the “Fallen Agent” turn out exactly who we think? What robotic twist sets us up for some major Season 4 changes? Find out in our full review of tonight’s Season 4 ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ finale!

Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ wriggles through 2016’s latest with a disgusting “Paradise Lost” reveal and a familiar villain, but are the Secret Warriors finally up and about’? Find out in our full review of tonight’s latest ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’!