Robots really are having a moment, between Westworld, The Humans, and this most recent LMD arc on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that is really starting to warp reality. What started as one android with some dark technology has become an epidemic. Who's real on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? With the recent influx of LMDs, it's difficult to keep track.
At the end of Tuesday's episode, FitzSimmons seemingly discovered that the rest of the agents had been replaced with LMDs. In an interview with IGN, executive producer Jed Whedon, who also directed Tuesday's episode, warned that everything may not be as it seems, "Can you trust anything," he asked? "Can you trust us at all? No, you can never trust us." That is a lot of people to replicate, and some of them have superpowers. "We're aware that it's a complicated season," Whedon continued, "but we're also aware that our fans are our fans and have spent some time with these characters and are clever and see things coming sometimes. We have to write to a smart audience."
What if it's just Coulson, and he's making it seem like there are more LMDs than there are? What if it's everyone? What if it's Simmons herself, and she's tricking Fitz into turning against his fellow agents? There are a ton of possibilities. Based on on the information that has been presented already, here are the current players and the likelihood that they've been plugged into the Framework against their will, while a robotic doppleganger sabotages S.H.I.E.L.D. in the meantime.
Coulson Is Almost Definitely An LMD
His tampering with the LMD detection and reactivation of May's bot decoy all but proves this.
May Is Definitely An LMD
One might call her the Original LMD, were it not for Aida.
Mack Is Likely An LMD
He was with the group that Simmons identified.
Mace Is Likely An LMD
Also with the group Simmons identified, he might actually be the one to give the operation away. Does Dr. Radcliffe know that Mace isn't really an Inhuman? If LMD Mace has super strength without the use of a serum, he could be exposed.
Daisy Is Likely An LMD
The final member of the team that Simmons was able to scan
Fitz Is Hopefully Real
Was his reaction to Jemma's "discovery" of the LMDs suspicious to anyone, or just me?
Simmons Is Likely Real
If Simmons is an LMD after exposing the LMD plot, that's some unnecessarily tricky reverse-psychology to pull on Fitz. I wouldn't put it past Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. but it still isn't the most likely option.
Yo-Yo Is Likely Real
Elena is back in this episode. Since she wasn't part of the mission, I would assume she's safe, unless Aida sent her in as a wildcard. How complicated is this mission?
Dr. Radcliffe Definitely Has An LMD
That's an easy one. The difference is that real Radcliffe is not in the Framework.
The Superior Is Likely An LMD Now
Lastly, the Coulson-obsessed bad guy was killed in the previous episode, yet the actor is credited for the next episode and Aida told the body that he had "not yet served his purpose." Creepy.
We have those LMDs, and maybe more, to look forward to on Tuesday's episode of Agents of S.H.I.EL.D. which will hopefully end this storyline without any horrible consequences.
