After seven seasons, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is preparing to end its run and, as a result, fans will be saying goodbye to their favorite team of agents. The show has been through quite a lot, whether it be traveling to different places on camera or struggling to stay afloat behind the camera. But through it all, the cast and crew have pushed forward, and the ultimate result amounts to a pretty incredible journey. Of course, this all began with Phil Coulson, who first debuted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over a decade ago. Now, the man behind the agent, Clark Gregg, is reflecting on his time in the Marvel franchise with a sweet message:
This team, this evolving team, took a heroic attitude which was to care about nothing but continual evolution. Out of that, we built a family. And Phil Coulson’s been at the center of that family. He’s gained, as I have, so much. If you would have told me as I sipped coffee on Iron Man 1 that I would go this many layers into this character, it’s really bittersweet to let that journey go, but I can only be grateful for it. So, thank you, on behalf of myself and the team, for giving us this incredible journey.
Clark Gregg was feeling very nostalgic while delivering his message (via Marvel), and I wouldn’t blame any longtime S.H.I.E.L.D. fan if they shed a tear or two while watching it. You can check it out for yourself down below:
Many were surprised when it was first announced that Phil Coulson would be revived after his Avengers death and would become the lead in his own TV show. While audiences knew what to expect from Coulson, what they didn’t know was that the show would introduce plenty of other memorable characters that would become close to their hearts. As Gregg mentions, stars like Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker and Ming-Na Wen have been integral in helping to make the show what it is.
In the beginning, the series leaned heavily on its connections to the greater MCU, with big names like Samuel L. Jackson and Colbie Smulders popping in for guest spots. It even featured some great crossovers that still hold up to this today. However, as the show moved forward, it began to forge its own identity and develop lore of its own.
Filming this final season was probably tough for Clark Gregg and his co-stars since they’ve been together for so long. And this could’ve only been compounded by the fact that Season 7 has pulled no punches with certain developments. And one can only imagine what the impending series finale will bring.
Still, as the saying goes, “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be glad that it happened.” And think I speak for many S.H.I.E.L.D. fans when I say we’re glad to have had this show than to have never had it in the first place.
The two-hour Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series finale airs Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m ET on ABC.
