# Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D S01E18: Providence (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 16, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229 "2014-04-16T02:44:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/61 "2014-04-17T17:00:48Z")
I watched. It was awful. As already mentioned, walking seven miles in the snow when in a hurry while standing next to flying cars. Dumb. Making cell phone calls from a super secret base. Dumb. Accusing your leader of being insane every 10 minutes. Dumb. Bringing in a top level traitor with only two guards and no security video. Dumb. Super secret high tech facility highly vulnerable to gas attack. Dumb. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/62 "2014-04-17T17:26:27Z")
Speaking of said gas attack: Where did they get the gas? I’m assuming HYDRA agents inside already had it ready to deploy, but why didn’t it affect all the prisoners. I doubt they were on separate air. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/63 "2014-04-17T17:29:14Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But it now looks like it’s real. Not a hoax. Not a dream. Not an imaginary story. > > Okay, seriously, several of the theories we were discussing last week now seem to be dead. Ward apparently is a real willing Hydra agent and has been all along. > > One interesting thing I noticed watching the rerun of last week’s episode was a couple of things Simmons said. When she was first caught by Triplett, she bumbled her way through this explanation and ended up convincing him to help her. He made a joke about her being a terrible liar which was a callback to previous episodes. But then she said to herself “But I’m getting better.” Which seemed to imply that she had just told a successful lie. > > And there was the scene where Hand found Triplett and Simmons and offered them the choice of joining Hydra or dying. Before Simmons said anything, Triplett leaped into action and proved his loyalty to Shield. Simmons who hadn’t said anything, was stunned and asked “That was just a test?” > > And this week, when Fitz said something to Simmons about being glad that things hadn’t changed, Simmons said they have changed. > > You can probably see where I’m going with this. I think Simmons may be a Hydra agent. She’s been collecting all the data about the stuff Coulson’s team has been finding. She’s been desperately searching for the secret behind the Kree revival juice (which, keep in mind, is a secret we know Hydra has put a high priority on). She was working in the lab and never saw the Hydra signal to start fighting. So when Triplett caught her she was able to convince him to help her without him realizing he was really helping Hydra. When she found out the Hydra uprising had begun, her first suggestion was they leave the lab. When Triplett refused and showed he was still loyal to Shield, she had to play along and pretend she was the same. And her stunned reaction after Hand revealed her real loyalty was the realization of how close she had come to being exposed - she was about to tell Hand she was a loyal Hydra agent all along when Triplett attacked. Interesting theory. But, explain her willingness to kill herself to spare her team in the Alien static electricity episode? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/64 "2014-04-17T17:31:51Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Interesting theory. But, explain her willingness to kill herself to spare her team in the Alien static electricity episode? exact same logic Ward used - he dived out of the plane to save her to prove he was “one of them” - counting on someone to save her - It would be hilarious if both Ward and Simmons were Hydra - using the same scam. ---
**Author:** ![Stonebow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Stonebow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stonebow)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/65 "2014-04-17T17:42:42Z")
Or, if Colson was the target (to find out his secret) then she may have been faced with the proverbial “fate worse than death” if she let him die for any reason. Was she not on the phone with her parents that episode? Possible they are hostage, or perhaps her ‘dad’ was her controller? I too am on the Jemma=Hydra bandwagon, though I expect for her it is blackmail rather than anything else. we are mean to suspect Triplett as the new guy since he studied under Garrett and is a touch too charming, but I think it is her. I still think we can assume that, unless specifically stated, the Hydra agents act independently, so there is no reason to think Ward and Simmons know each other. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/66 "2014-04-17T20:40:59Z")
I’m on the Simmons = Hydra bandwagon too, but I’m so damn unhappy about it. Maybe she is being bullied or blackmailed into it. That would be much better than her being a lying coldhearted bitch from the get-go. Ward I’m fine with being Hydra. He’s always been a cocky bastard, and despite his supposed tragic backstory, I never felt sorry for him. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/67 "2014-04-17T20:55:35Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Interesting theory. But, explain her willingness to kill herself to spare her team in the Alien static electricity episode? > [@simster](#): > > exact same logic Ward used - he dived out of the plane to save her to prove he was “one of them” - counting on someone to save her - > > It would be hilarious if both Ward and Simmons were Hydra - using the same scam. Remember what Ward said when Garrett asked him about that? “I did it to win their trust. And I had a parachute.” Ward knew what he was doing looked dangerous. But he also knew he had the apparent danger under control. So what if Simmons was using similar logic? Maybe she and Ward had cooked up the plan together. She’d jump out of the plane, thereby proving that she was willing to sacrifice herself for the team. But she had already arranged for Ward to jump out after her and rescue, thereby giving him a chance to solidify his own place. Both of them ended up looking better to the others. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/68 "2014-04-17T21:00:21Z")
At this point, I’m looking forward to the DVD release. I’m assuming there will be a few more twists before the end of the season and it’ll be interesting to go back and rewatch the early episodes to see what’s been foreshadowed. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/69 "2014-04-17T22:56:14Z")
There was a bit of foreshadowing in episode 15, Yes Men: Sif puts the collar on Lorelei, negating her powers. Cut to Ward pointing a gun at May, saying “sorry about this” and pulling the trigger, only to be out of ammo. Soon as May was about to kick his ass, he dropped the gun and said he was back to normal. I rather suspect he came back to his senses the moment that collar went on, before he tried to shoot May’s face off. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/70 "2014-04-17T23:15:08Z")
It’s funny. Lorelei wanted an army. Instead of bringing her straight to HYDRA, he brought her to Las Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/71 "2014-04-18T00:34:32Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > It’s funny. Lorelei wanted an army. Instead of bringing her straight to HYDRA, he brought her to Las Vegas. It was a gamble… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/72 "2014-04-18T02:27:34Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > There was a bit of foreshadowing in episode 15, Yes Men: > > Sif puts the collar on Lorelei, negating her powers. Cut to Ward pointing a gun at May, saying “sorry about this” and pulling the trigger, only to be out of ammo. Soon as May was about to kick his ass, he dropped the gun and said he was back to normal. I rather suspect he came back to his senses the moment that collar went on, before he tried to shoot May’s face off. Another things that was probably foreshadowing in retrospect. I don’t remember the exact quote but when Lorelei was taunting May she said something like _“He doesn’t love you. He’s devoted to another.”_ She left it ambiguous who it was that Ward was devoted to. We were speculating at the time if it was Skye or Simmons or maybe Fitz but it now seems clear Lorelei knew that Ward was secretly devoted to Hydra (or maybe Garrett). ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/73 "2014-04-18T03:09:30Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I watched. It was awful. As already mentioned, walking seven miles in the snow when in a hurry while standing next to flying cars. Dumb. If they’d used the flying car, they’d all be dead because the auto-gun would have shredded them as soon as they got close to Providence. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/74 "2014-04-18T03:15:43Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Another things that was probably foreshadowing in retrospect. I don’t remember the exact quote but when Lorelei was taunting May she said something like _“He doesn’t love you. He’s devoted to another.”_ She left it ambiguous who it was that Ward was devoted to. We were speculating at the time if it was Skye or Simmons or maybe Fitz but it now seems clear Lorelei knew that Ward was secretly devoted to Hydra (or maybe Garrett). Ward was pretty mad at Garrett for having his widdle Skye shot. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/75 "2014-04-18T04:12:53Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I watched. It was awful. As already mentioned, walking seven miles in the snow when in a hurry while standing next to flying cars. Dumb. {snip} Not dumb. Lola is a [two-seater](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpdgBLjegKkVy2UfFSK5rf9rtLw9ms7fsWJ8P--ZE2LUc1s4D4). Haven’t any of you complainers noticed that? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/76 "2014-04-18T04:21:40Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Not dumb. Lola is a [two-seater](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpdgBLjegKkVy2UfFSK5rf9rtLw9ms7fsWJ8P--ZE2LUc1s4D4). Haven’t any of you complainers noticed that? they had what appeared to be a very capable shield 4wd sitting next to lola. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/77 "2014-04-18T04:36:41Z")
> [@simster](#): > > they had what appeared to be a very capable shield 4wd sitting next to lola. Which goes through the densely-packed trees very well, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/78 "2014-04-18T05:06:49Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > If they’d used the flying car, they’d all be dead because the auto-gun would have shredded them as soon as they got close to Providence. Well, if they had lost some limbs due to frostbite, walking through the snow instead of flying would have been the wrong decision. They couldn’t anticipate what they might encounter. But based on what they knew at the plane, I’m still saying sending two people ahead in the flying car was a better plan than everyone walking seven miles through the snow. The excuse for their decision was it kept the cast all together and gave Clark Gregg a chance of having a dramatic breakdown scene. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/79 "2014-04-18T12:21:23Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Which goes through the densely-packed trees very well, I’m sure. The overhead shots showed a very nice, yet curvy, path. And as well as Lola would have. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229/80 "2014-04-18T12:41:46Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > We were speculating at the time if it was Skye or Simmons or maybe Fitz but it now seems clear Lorelei knew that Ward was secretly devoted to Hydra (or maybe Garrett). I like this. What was the exact wording, does anyone have that? > [@levdrakon](#): > > Ward was pretty mad at Garrett for having his widdle Skye shot. Mad, but not mad enough to question his loyalties. He said he owes his life to Garrett and would do anything for him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-s01e18-providence-open-spoilers/686229.md?page=5)