Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally returns for its final season tonight, and some big changes are coming for the team. One of these is, of course, the fact that Phil Coulson is back – but is now an advanced LMD that will be guiding them as they travel through time. His presence is sure to stoke up mixed feelings within the characters, especially Daisy Johnson/Quake. Though according to Chloe Bennet, Quake’s feelings may not be what you’re thinking.
Despite the fact that this Coulson is essentially a replica of the original, Chloe Bennet says Daisy is happy to have her old boss back. Losing Coulson on so many occasions in the past has apparently helped her to look past the LMD’s wired interior:
I think that at this point, because he’s died, like, 900 times, she’s just dope to have her buddy back, if that makes sense. Daisy was the one who pushed that button [in the finale to activate the new Coulson], so I think she has come to terms with him leaving and being gone. Now there’s just an excitement to have him back.
Chloe Bennet did admit to TVLine that LMD Coulson is a lot for her character to process but, with the fate of the planet and S.H.I.E.L.D. hanging in the balance, she’s not going to have time to think about it too hard:
It is. But like all things S.H.I.E.L.D., you kinda have to shake it off and keep moving forward to save the world. There’s not a lot of time to dwell on any relationship problems. That’s what makes it so great when we do get those kind of relationship moments, whether they’re platonic or romantic — there’s a lot of weight to them, because they’re rare.
Chloe Bennet isn’t the only Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to speak on the complexities of having an LMD Coulson in the mix. Coulson actor Clark Gregg was even surprised by the notion of having his fan-favorite character appearing in this manner.
Coulson shared deep bonds with several members on his team, but Daisy was definitely one of those closest to him. From the moment he discovered her (then going by Skye) in the first season, they formed a father/daughter relationship. Coulson was there for Daisy through every trial and tribulation she faced and, whenever she strayed too far, he was always there to pull her back from the edge. This made things all the more tragic when Daisy was forced to say goodbye to her dying father figure at the end of Season 5 and fight a lookalike in Season 6.
Although LMD Coulson was created by Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz and Chronicom pal Enoch, Daisy was the one who activated him, as her teammates were hesitant to do so. This means she’s certainly eager to have him back in some form or fashion. Still, you have to wonder whether or not she’ll regret this decision as the season progresses.
We’ll see how LMD Coulson gets along with the rest of the team when Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s final season premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET at ABC.
