Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has built some fan-favorite relationships over its seven seasons so far, but the course of true love on S.H.I.E.L.D. never really runs smoothly. While the FitzSimmons saga has been the most dramatic of main S.H.I.E.L.D. characters, May and Coulson barely had time to explore a romance before he died, and then May had to deal with a villain wearing Coulson's face for the sixth season. Season 7 has a whole new set of obstacles, but is there hope for them to find love again before the series ends? Ming-Na Wen shared her thoughts.
As it stands at this point in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s last season, Coulson is back as an advanced Life Model Decoy, while May hasn't been herself since temporarily dying in the fight against Izel at the end of Season 6. One is a fancy robot, while the other might not have come back from her ordeal the same as she went in. Although Simmons' EMP did at least rule out May as an LMD or part Chronicom, it's difficult to imagine Philinda coming together romantically again very easily. Ming-Na Wen has hope, however.
Speaking with SYFY Fangrrls, Ming-Na Wen explained that she feels the development of May and Coulson's relationship is "one of the greatest aspects and continuity of all seven season" as they went from good partners to love interests, then said:
I think, like any relationship in S.H.I.E.L.D, it's always got its ups and downs and there are always moments of it being unrequited. And right now we have a killer bot and a Chronicom trying to rekindle emotions. I don't know. I mean, that's what we always want. We always want them to find love in the end. But yeah, we'll see. Right now, May's not having it.
The good news on the Philinda front is that Ming-Na Wen shared that finding love in the end is what "we always want," and "we'll see" is definitely not a "no," right? The bad news is that if May and Coulson are going to find their way back together romantically, May is "not having it" at the moment. And honestly, does that even count as bad news?
LMD Coulson may have his memories and his personality, but he's still very different. As for May, nobody seems to have any idea what's happening with her, and her current blankness since emerging from her healing pod makes Season 1-6 May seem positively animated! They have a lot that they might have to sort out separately before even considering revisiting a romance.
That said, May and Coulson currently stand as arguably the most tragic S.H.I.E.L.D. pairing other than FitzSimmons, and there's really no beating FitzSimmons when it comes to a heartbreaking love story. Depending on how Fitz returns, how much time has passed, and what Simmons had to leave behind, however, it's possible that Fitz and Simmons will get the happily-ever-after.
As for May and Coulson, a possible happy ending may depend on what happened to May and whether she can recover. I still think she looked more like she was having a panic attack than anything else at Area 51. Find out what happens next for May, Coulson, and the rest with new episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. For some additional viewing options now and in the coming weeks, check out our 2020 summer premiere schedule!
