Agents of Shield S4 Ep. 16 Discoveries & Easter Eggs

Exploring The Framework 

This season of Agents of Shield has been quite the journey as far as character and story directions go. However, entering into the Framework arc now with this week's episode titled "What If", it's great to see the series treating its loyal fan base to some pretty interesting alternate universe scenarios including several twists and turns to our previously established universe and characters. Let's dive into some of these fascinating tidbits (both subtle and obviously spotlighted) that were tossed in for viewers to pick up on and have fun speculating over. 

Discovery #1

Hydra Logo Transition

Discovery #2

The Triskelion 

Ward refers to Hydra's headquarters as the Triskelion which, in the real world, is the name given to SHIELD's central base.

Discovery #3
Hydra Infrastructure

Inside of Hydra's Triskelion, a large (and beautifully presented might I add) Hydra statue can be seen which closely mirrors the structure seen by Simmons during her journey on the alien planet introducing Hive. 

Discovery #4

Hydra Is Everywhere

One of the greatest things about the Framework is its visual aesthetics. There are several shots displaying the Hydra logo somewhere in the background or forefront hammering home the idea of Hydra's dominant presence in this alternate world. 

Discovery #5

Anti-Inhuman Propaganda

Similiar to famous Nazi propaganda (which is ironically spoken about briefly in this episode), there are several shots where Anti-Inhuman posters can be seen plastered around the area invoking Hydra's powerful message to the world.

Discovery #6

An Anti-Inhuman World

Going alongside the Anti-Inhuman propaganda, there are several other outlets such as newspaper articles and even highway message signs that keeps Hydra's vision of a "safe world" alive. 

Discovery #7

The Resistance

Within the Framework, S.H.I.E.L.D. has apparently fallen due to a tragic event alluded to later in the episode. However, there does seem to be pockets of resistance fighters rising up against Hydra from the shadows. This is shown through a young resistance student illegally spray painting "Hydra Lies" on Jemma's stolen car as well as Ward's eventual twist reveal.

Discovery #8

Welcome Back Ward

In Daisy's corner of the world, not only is Ward alive, but the two are seemingly a couple which immediately adds on an uneasy layer of tension to her mission. Ward is later revealed to be a double agent which is a fantastic twist for the character considering his real world story arc. Also note that before Ward is shown, Daisy calls out to "Lincoln" in hopes to be reunited with him despite her awareness of her current artificial surroundings.

Discovery #9

Whoops! No Powers = Awkward Moment

After seeing Ward, Daisy's first reaction is to use her Inhuman powers which unfortunately doesn't exist in this world leaving her in a pretty ridiculous pose. Ward takes Daisy's empty hand gesture as a new "thing" that he assumes she wants to do with him as a couple. His curious and joking reaction is pretty funny making the situation kinda embarrassing on her end.

Discovery #10

Daisy's Minor Appearance Change

Daisy, at one point, briefly looks down at her hair out of confusion considering her significantly shorter length in the real world. 

Discovery #11

Hidden Name Drops?

In a quick "blink and you'll miss it" moment where Daisy manages to sign into Hydra's network, the names "Sidewinder" and "Hellfire" is shown alongside an overhaul of other computer text and imagery. Hellfire was an Inhuman previously introduced back in Season 3 eventually being taken down by Ghost Rider and Sidewinder is a name given to a character from the comics by the name of Seth Voelker who eventually formed "The Serpent Society". Is this perhaps a foreshadowing easter egg?

Discovery #12

Lincoln's Mysterious Fate

As Daisy attempts to feel her way through the Framework's version of history, she uncovers Lincoln's Hydra file which reveals that he died during an unknown experiment. This mysterious testing is possibly uncovered later on with Fitz and his torturous Inhuman scanning machine.

Discovery #13

Jemma's Death Conspiracy

Inside of Aida's Hydra dominant world, Jemma is essentially dead due to a supposed contamination outbreak at a Shield base of operations. However, upon waking up in a buried state under a mound of dirt, Simmons finds what looks to be two bullet holes in her shirt while also uncovering a dead body that was laying next to her own.

Discovery #14

Vijay Nadeer Is Alive...For Now

As a captured Inhuman in Hydra's custody, Vijay is revealed to have been holding a fake I.D. given by Ward during one of his double agent missions offscreen. Vijay also introduces the audience to May's iconic position in this universe connecting Hydra and the Anti-Inhuman conflict. He does this by calling her out on the mysterious Bahrain Incident.

Discovery #15

Bahrain: The Cambridge Incident

May's legendary mission in Bahrain (where she was forced to shoot an Inhuman child by the name of Katya to protect her fellow agents) is significantly altered in this world. It is stated that the young girl was instead kept alive and eventually taken to Cambridge by S.H.I.E.L.D. in hopes to start a new. This led to a tragic event where Katya's ability was trigged killing several people in her wake. During a classroom session, Coulson (who is a teacher spreading the positive history of Hydra) alludes to this as "The Incident". This historical event is what supposedly led to Hydra's rise to power exploiting S.H.I.E.L.D.'s biggest mistake.

Discovery #16

No Exceptions To The Rule

In this paranoia driven world, potential Inhuman children are signaled out in class by the authority in a similiar way in which a child with possible ties to a crime would be signaled out in the real world. It shows that there are simply no exceptions to the rule in this situation. The fact that we never see this kid again is kinda eerie all things considered. Speaking of which, the music during this scene is particularly intense (more so than ever presented on the show)

Discovery #17

Alexander Pierce Reference

Introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Alexander Pierce was a leader of Hydra posing as an undercover agent who rose above the ranks within S.H.I.E.L.D.. Although Pierce was eventually shot and killed by Nick Fury during the course of that film, the school in which Coulson teaches at inside of the Framework is named after him.

Discovery #18

Tahiti, It's A Magical Place

After Jemma realizes that it's almost hopeless snapping Coulson out of his brainwashed state, she attempts to use a Hula dancer figure to jog his memory repeating "Tahiti is a magical place". This is then later referenced as Coulson looks through his secret stash of shattered memories to find a Tahiti postcard and a page(s) filled with the repeated statement "It's a magical place". Being that Tahiti was one of the biggest revelations in Coulson's life, it would make sense that such a striking memory would standout in his subconscious no matter what.  

Discovery #19

Coulson Remembers

After Jemma leaves, Coulson is revealed to have some sense of memory towards his real life through personally picked out photos of several major components of his past. One of these images is of a cellist which references Phil's past love, Audrey Nathan, who was a cellist that he dated prior to the Battle of New York incident. We also see an image of a car on a calendar that is almost identical to "Lola" (Coulson's iconic upgraded 1962 Chevrolet Corvette).

Discovery #20

Calvin Zabo Reference

One of Coulson's cut out articles references a "Doctor Winslow" being arrested for subversion which is a direct easter egg for Calvin Zabo who was given the name after starting a new life via mind wiping.

Discovery #21

Fitz: The Doctor

Fitz (legendarily known as "The Doctor"by Hydra and the Inhumans) is a high ranked Hydra official who has created a machine that can reveal an Inhuman's power without triggering Terrigenesis. However, he is shown to have no mercy or care for Inhumans giving his machinery a torturous presentation. He also implements the use of self created drones which is a personal trait carried over from the real world. Having the name "The Doctor" might be a play on "The Superior" who Aida last confronted and rewired to her desire.

Discovery #22

Aida: Madame Hydra

It is revealed that Aida (inside of the Framework) is presenting herself as the head of Hydra called "Madame" by her underlings. This would make sense considering her ownership and creation over the world itself. Her personal interest and reasoning for being affiliated with Hydra possibly connects to her immense knowledge and power from the Darkhold as well as her brief history encountering the Inhumans. 

Discovery #23

Aida's "Feelings" For Fitz

Within the Framework, Aida essentially explores the concept of human emotions by having Fitz as her lover (or husband?...not sure). This choice would make sense considering her decision to get rid of Simmons as an obvious obstacle or distraction in her way. Being that Fitz was one of the only people that legitimately care for her in some fashion, Aida is logically driven to keep him close. Where this "relationship" goes from here on out is an interesting question now that Jemma is wandering around somewhere nearby. Talk about an awkward reunion.

Episode Rating: 9/10