Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ended the first half of Season 2 with the dramatic reveal of Skye’s true 0-8-4 nature, when her inadvertent exposure to the obelisk’s Terrigen Mist set “Daisy” on a course to fulfill her destiny as an Inhuman.
Alas, in the process Coulson’s team took a big hit, as Skye’s transformation process wound up killing Agent “Trip” Triplett. And that bad news is bound to offset any “joy” of self-discovery for Skye, as Chloe Bennet shares in this Q&A. Also: In the slideshow below, get a character-by-character guide to what’s ahead for the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D.
TVLINE | How did you first consume the midseason finale reveal? Did you not see it until the script, or…?
They told me, like, two days before we shot it, and about one day before I got the actual script. So, yeah, that was pretty crazy. [Laughs]
TVLINE | What sort of direction were you given for that final scene?
That was actually probably the most difficult day of shooting I have had up to that point. It was a pretty technical scene to shoot; we were using what we call a “phantom camera” and it was [going to involve] lots of special effects…. I think it was the longest time we’ve spent shooting a scene in the history of S.H.I.E.L.D., but that scene was very important. Fun fact: It looked slow-motion but I was actually moving really fast. From when the “crust” falls off my face to the end of the scene was about 15 seconds.
TVLINE | How would you describe her emotions during that sequence?
There were a couple different versions of it, but it was primarily seeing a dear friend having just died, and having an emotional reaction to that. I played it how I would have reacted, and it’s an overwhelming feeling. This is the first time since Ive changed, obviously, where my powers are turned on by my emotional reaction to things. And that really sets the tone for the rest of the season.
TVLINE | The showrunners told me that Trip’s death will weigh heavily on both Skye and the team at large.
Yes, [BJ Britt] was a dear friend on and off screen, so it wasn’t too hard for us to get to that point of being really upset that he’s gone. So, yeah, everyone is really mourning that loss — especially Skye. She feels a huge responsibility for his death, considering that he went in to save her and I came out with these powers. It’s going to be weighing
on her for the better part of the rest of the season, if not forever.
TVLINE | In the immediate aftermath of the finale, does Skye sense that anything has changed about her?
She definitely does. There was that huge earthquake, so there’s that slow realization of, “Ohhh, that happened because I got upset.” And then there’s going to be a lot of coming to terms with her newfound powers, her new “biology” of being an Inhuman. There’s a lot of resentment towards that, you’ll see. When people have had powers in the past in the history of S.H.I.E.L.D., we always put them on the Index, and it hasn’t been the most welcoming reaction from the team, so it’s really going to throw a wrench into the mix. It’s going to test certain characters, to the point that they change. What happens when one of your own becomes someone that you’re used to protecting everyone else from?
TVLINE | It presents interesting conflict where some are concerned for her, some are concerned for themselves.
Yes, and I think you’ll see that it weighs most on Coulson. Because of our close relationship, because of his duties as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., it puts him in a really difficult position. There’s a lot of pressure on him to not show any favoritism and to make the right call for the greater good. It definitely gets innnnteresting!
TVLINE | Does the term Inhuman already exist in this universe, or is it coined in the course of diagnosing Skye?
That’s something that we address a little bit later, as we see some more characters get introduced. Let’s just say that the show gets much “broader.”
TVLINE | And how would you tease Raina’s own reaction to the Terrigen Mist?
She for her whole life has been waiting for this moment, and really has done anything to get to the point where she is able to turn — but Skye really could not have cared less, so things went in an “interesting” direction for both of them. [Laughs] I would not have wanted that response [that she had], let’s just say that!
TVLINE | How long might it be until Skye and Ward’s paths cross again?
I… don’t know.
TVLINE | Not immediately?
I don’t think “SkyeWard” is going to be an item for…. [Laughs] I can’t give you an answer! I mean, I know where he is, but can I tell you? No. They’ll be challenged throughout the rest of the season, but I think you’ll see their paths cross, sometime. Maybe.
For more scoop on Coulson, May, FitzSimmons and other characters, flip through the slideshow below. (With reporting by Scott Huver)
