Actually, I think Radcliffe hacked into Fitz’s system to get the brain patterns of Coulson, Daisy and Mac when they did their virtual-world walkthroughs (Mace could have been scanned anytime after he was captured). The LMDs then could have been prepared beforehand, and the missing time is just when they were substituted.
Very clever, and I’m sure you’re right. OK, I give the writers props for actually making this hang together.
That makes total sense. Otherwise, why even show Mac using it?
If Fitz and Simmons have missing time as well, are they also (unaware) LMDs?
Nothing to add other than my incessant need to participate in threads 
This season is one of SHIELD’s best. Good job ABC, I hope people are watching it because I would hate for it to get canceled after a strong season like this
Finally caught up -
I hate Coulson and May together. I really liked the two of them as platonic best friends- it’s disappointing that they can only see Coulson turning heaven & earth over for her if she’s a love interest. The whole plotline is making it harder for me to enjoy this season.
I’m underwhelmed by The Superior. I can see why the watchdogs were on his side. I don’t get why the senator was so willing to answer to him. Work with him - maybe, but why would she think of him as her “superior” or see him as anything other than a semi-convenient ally?
That said, I really do like large parts of the series.
No I was thinking she wants to be more human not literally human. But now given this week I am not as sure since it didn’t seem to come up.
Side note that I may have already mentioned but I forget: I have enjoyed this second half of the season much much more than the first.
Second side note: this whole bringing Coulson and May together bit is the one low spot. It’s icky and feels completely wrong. Like watching cousins try to date.
ETA: I thought what the twist at the end of the episode was going to be was that Fitz and Simmons were trapped in the virtual world.
It kind of did. There was a shot where she was feeling the necklace she wears, the one she took from Agnes. I got from that move, that she may have been contemplating the humanity of Agnes.
Or maybe I was reading too much into that scene.
Never seen that coming, May as an agent of hydra ?
Well, that certainly was a mind-bending episode. Kudos to the characters playing the LMDs for the relatively subtle ‘robotic’ acting.
Also, clever way to bring Ward back, against all odds of that happening.
No new eps until April?
Coulson’s crazy robot eyes are the best.
Jemma is dead in the Framework. What happens when she gets put in?
OK, best episode of the season. Loved pretty much all of it. Great swerve with Fitz being an LMD but not Jemma or Daisy. The sleeping gas trick was well thought out and accomplished exactly what was needed. The reveal of the busted LMDs to the 3 agents was a bit too much of perfect timing, but I can accept that.
I knew Maybot’s humanity would come through and save the day. I knew Aida would turn on Radcliffe, but it was done well. Kind of Zeroth Law which was a bummer, but I can forgive that.
Love that they managed to bring Ward back, but we haven’t actually seen him yet other than the photo. Mack is a dad. Not sure what Coulson is doing as a teacher; is he teaching tolerance or hatred? And May is a Hydra agent, and Hydra is mainstream and in control.
Overall, I loved it! Can’t wait until April.
Huh, I’d’a thought Daisy’s regret re: Ward was shooting him only three times instead of emptying the entire clip into him.
That’s what I was wondering when they zoomed in to show the headstone.
Maybe she’ll be like a ghost. Invisible to the others in the Framework? Nah. That would be stupid I suppose. But there has to be some sort of twist, otherwise they wouldn’t bother to point it out.
I don’t think Daisy has her regret removed in the Framework since she hacked in. Aida mentioned having to reset the Framework when she added new people in order to fix their regrets.
A part of the whole episode that fell flat for me was the final reveal with the Superior. I guess Aida needed someone human to read the Darkhold. But the idea that his stationary head needs to be connected via wireless communication to his robot body seems far-fetched. How is that going to work? Small criticism, but that whole storyline seemed unnecessary after such a good episode.
Fine, as long as his robot body doesn’t walk though any tunnels.
Makes sense - there have already been 15 episodes, and returning in April means they can air the last seven of this season in consecutive weeks. Besides, next week is the “don’t call it the State of the Union Address because for some strange reason it’s not called that when it’s a President’s first one” address.
Guys, this season has been soooo good. We have to tell everyone because we cannot lose this show when it continues to be this good.
Sooo here’s what we got:
Daisy
- Biggest Regret: Shooting Ward
Alternate Reality: She’s still with him, presumably still inhuman. I would bet he’s Hydra Ward and not Hive Ward. She’s going to have to deal with her feelings for him while pretending to be Hydra. Altthough, I can’t remember, did Hydra Ward know she was inhuman? He did right?
Coulson
- Biggest Regret: Joining SHIELD
Alternate Reality: He’s a teacher. I would guess college, but high school is possible. Based on what he wrote on the board I would bet he’s actually anti-inhuman because it’s a better plot point.
Mac
- Biggest Regret: Something to do with his daughter
Alternate Reality: He probably has nothing to do with any of this. I bet he’s just trying to live his life as a father and husband. He probably quit SHIELD and/or the military earlier on, so he knows everyone, but not a part of this.
May
- Biggest Regret: Killing the little girl in wherever-that-was
Alternate Reality: She’s a part of Hydra because Coulson and co. weren’t there to stop it. Captain America and his adventures in Winter Soldier probably happened, but it wasn’t enough to stop the hostile takeover. Having not known Coulson (or had her job of monitoring him) she rose through the ranks and is probably a director or something. Hail Hydra amirite?
Fitz
- Biggest Regret: Um…something with his father maybe?
This is the hardest one for me (other than Simmons). He looked famous/rich AF, so I’m guessing he used his brain to invent something spectacular and is living the high life. Who he’s with is a mystery that I can’t guess
Simmons
Biggest Regret: Dying? Going into the portal last season?
She’s apparently dead. That’ll be interesting as hell, but an easy plot device for her to run around solving things. “You should be dead” “but I’m here because this is fake!”