This is a very exciting week for Marvel fans. There's a new movie coming out in theaters, many of us are just now finishing Daredevil on Netflix, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is planning a big episode as it gets closer to the Season 2 finale. The stakes are higher than ever — according to Hypable, someone will die on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s overture to Avengers: Age of Ultron. Wait, what? This is devastating news! Agent Triplett's death still feels fresh to me, and that happened in the midseason finale. Now another character is going to kick the bucket?
According to the official ABC press release for the episode, "Gonzales and Coulson must find a way to put their differences aside and work together against Hydra, even if it means teaming up with someone they don’t trust." That untrustworthy someone is Ward. Tuesday's episode is called "The Dirty Half-Dozen," in reference to Agent Coulson's original team getting to work together for the very first time this season. It's awful to think that they may be down to five by the end of the episode, however there are plenty of newcomers and villainous characters to think about as well. This includes Dr. List, who is guest starring in the episode and connects directly to Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Is Hydra's Dr. List the one who dies? For the sake of speculation, let's presume that this death is someone we've spent a little more time with on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Based on promotional photos for upcoming episodes, as well as what we know about the upcoming Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff, I think it's safe to say that Coulson, Skye, Skye's parents, Gordon, Raina, Lincoln, Bobbi Morse, and Lance Hunter will all be spared. However, that leaves a plethora of beloved characters on the chopping block.
9. Leo Fitz
Hasn't Fitz suffered enough at the hands of Ward? His recovery journey isn't over yet.
6. Melinda May
That would be absolutely devastating, and yet not the first time that we've learned a character's backstory just before they get killed off.
7. Sunil Bakshi
Along with Daniel Whitehall, this suave brain-washing Hydra operative was one of the main villains in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2. It would be extra satisfying to see him meet his maker.
6. Mack
Surely after that close call in the Kree Temple, Mack will survive this battle? For the sake of his gaming relationship with Fitz, I'm going to say that Mack is probably safe from harm.
5. Agent Weaver
Christine Adams' character re-emerged as a leader of the democratic "real S.H.I.E.L.D." along with Robert Gonzales. We have just enough of an emotional connection to FitzSimmons' former professor for her death to resonate.
4. Simmons
If we're going for one of the original six characters, or "The Dirty Half-Dozen" as the episode title suggests, I think Jemma Simmons is the second most likely candidate. Why do I hate myself so much? That's a difficult question to answer, but the reason I think Simmons might die is because Fitz suffered in their last major battle against Hydra and they are two sides to one coin. Jemma and May are caught in a dangerous spot with S.H.I.E.L.D. and she may suffer.
3. Kara
Is there anything left to tell in Agent 33's story? She's keeping Ward from rejoining the team, and by nature we know almost nothing about this character. While I would prefer that everyone make it out alive, Kara's death would be the best possible scenario.
2. Mike "Deathlok" Petersen
Hear me out. Mike Petersen may have just recently re-appeared on the show, but he was integral to the pilot episode which relied heavily on plot from Iron Man 3 and more importantly The Avengers. What better way to mark the transition from the first Avengers movie to the second than the end to his journey?
1. Grant Ward
A villain redeeming himself just before death is a tale as old as time. I trust the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. writers to put a fresh spin on this trope, however it's still pretty likely.
Images: Kelsey McNeal/ABC (10)
