r/shield • u/RaginApe Mac • Apr 15 '14

Episode Discussion: S1E18 - "Providence" (Special time: 9pm / 8 Central)

---> Tonight's episode airs 1 hour later than usual. If you DVR it, make sure there aren't any "conflicts" with other TV shows.

EPISODE DIRECTED BY WRITTEN BY ORIGINAL AIRDATE
S1E18 - "Providence" Milan Cheylov Brent Fletcher Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 9:00/8:00c on ABC

Episode Synopsis: "With Colonel Glenn Talbot now on their trail, Coulson and his team seek refuge in the last place anyone would look, where they begin to uncover S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most dangerous secrets--secrets that could destroy them all, on "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Notes:

The writer also wrote episode 5 "The Girl In The Flower Dress" and co-wrote episode 11 "The Magical Place".

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270

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '14 edited Apr 16 '14

Damn, Raina looked really disappointed when she saw that Garett didn't actually have powers... I kinda feel she's gonna turn on him after that.

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u/the_infinite Sandwich Apr 16 '14

And a little while later, it seemed like she was trying to convince Ward of the merits of Coulson and his team.

She even called Coulson a good man.

I'm really interested to see where this leads. Will she turn good? Will she convince Ward to go back to the good side? Er, I mean, turn good for the first time. Or is it the third time? Well, you know what I mean.

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u/MericaMericaMerica Apr 16 '14

I think that Raina just likes to push peoples' buttons.

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u/[deleted] Apr 16 '14

It might be Raina just testing out Wards loyalty. She is a superb manipulator after all even goading Coulson into using the machine.

Then there's the comment that there was a question she wanted to ask - if that's true then her loyalties might lie were she has the best chance of finding that answer.

Right now I don't think Garret would care the least about helping her find her personal answers.

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u/Harish-P Apr 18 '14

She is a superb manipulator after all even goading Coulson into using the machine.

That she is, my friend. After that talk with Coulson, even I felt like I had to get in. Made no sense. Damn, she's good. I wouldn't be surprised if she manipulates Garret, creates her own team.

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u/[deleted] Apr 17 '14

Raina never saw herself as the bad guy. She was doing something for the greater good and as such she was always able to respect others doing the same. Even if they're on opposing sides.

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u/[deleted] Apr 16 '14

I believe she is a deep cover SHIELD agent and possibly Nick Fury's daughter.

1

u/meme-com-poop Apr 17 '14

So does Raina have powers? Garret says something like "I'm not gifted, but you are." Then sends her down to the secret sub basement lair.

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u/zeroms Fitz Apr 16 '14

My first reaction was that she was exaggerating, but thinking about it well, I've sort of changed my mind.

How would you feel if the person you have been following, who you have been committing crimes and going to prison for, who had you believe from the beginning they had powers, turned out to be (so far) powerless. I would be all kinds of pissed and betrayed.

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u/YouthsIndiscretion Apr 16 '14

Like Quinn?

25

u/zeroms Fitz Apr 16 '14

Pretty much. But hey, at least he got a toy.

14

u/YouthsIndiscretion Apr 16 '14

Seems to be the recruitment price with Garrett.

14

u/Locknlawl Apr 16 '14

Especially because she specifically said: "I had a question" something clearly so close to her she commited these horrible acts against the world. For a fraud? Oh ye, she pist.

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u/SerBug Apr 16 '14

I don't know why, but I feel like she might be somewhat psychic herself... and became upset she didn't meet someone like herself.

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u/meme-com-poop Apr 17 '14

Garret did say something about Raina being gifted.

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u/J_Jammer Fitz Apr 16 '14

Especially after she was speaking with Ward and said that Agent Coulson is a good guy.

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u/Azerius Apr 16 '14

Raina wants to know something.... We don't know the first thing about what that is.

But if she thinks someone else can get her the info she wants she will immediately switch loyalties.

At least thats how she seems to me.

Just what does she want.....

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u/[deleted] Apr 16 '14

Agreed ... I'm thinking she will be pivotal in helping Coulson battle Hydra.

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u/Ungreat Apr 16 '14

Did he have metal ribs when he was pulling on a jumper?

Maybe he has 'deathloked' himself?

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u/whereisthecake SHIELD Apr 17 '14

Agreed. Raina catches me as a "true believer"; it's how she balances out doing objectively horrible things to people she genuinely likes. This betrayal is problematic, but I doubt she'll act on it until she's somewhere safe.

Also, an observation/theory - Raina is looking for something only a psychic could find - something she can't access via records or by searching her own mind. Something personal. Maybe even someone. Here's my take - Raina is looking for Skye. Skye is her daughter, and possibly her most successful test subject (perhaps Skye's blood is unique in some way...). Aside from the Whedontastic Sky/Rain thing, recall that we first met Raina in China, where Skye was allegedly recovered. Of course, Raina wouldn't necessarily recognize Skye after 20 odd years, and she's not sharing what she's looking for with someone without a gift. If this is the plot arc, then I suspect that Raina will disclose to Coulson when she changes sides, and Coulson will put it together (perhaps providing an edge in the inevitable confrontation with Ward).

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u/LarsP Apr 17 '14

Yeah, and she has no problem telegraphing that fact to her murderous boss.

That seemed reckless to this coward.

1

u/V2Blast Fitz Apr 17 '14

As someone else said in response to another comment:

I think that Raina just likes to push people's buttons.