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'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.': Is Coulson Going Crazy?

by Caroline Pate

Finally, we've found out the truly terrible side effects of Project T.A.H.I.T.I. on The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. To find them, Melinda May goes all the way to Coulson's grave (there's no body, of course) to dig up the drive of information buried in his empty casket. Melinda May brings Coulson the drive, which plays a video of who was really behind Project T.A.H.I.T.I.: Agent Coulson.

Coulson watches the video of himself resigning to Nick Fury. Why? Because the testing in Project T.A.H.I.T.I. is too dangerous — the patients are healed of their wounds, but their mental state begins to deteriorate soon after. The only possible solution they've found is replacing the patient's memories of the operation (which explains Coulson's island memories), but even this is inconsistent.

Coulson has been the glue holding this team together, and now he's one of the highest-ranking agents still left in S.H.I.E.L.D. What will happen when his mind starts to go? And, more importantly: Has it already started happening? Coulson is devoted, but more recently, his devotion to S.H.I.E.L.D. has become almost manic. His own team thought he was crazy just a few episodes ago. What if his mental deterioration has already begun?

And what about Skye? She was shot up with the same drug that was used on Coulson, and she's well aware of it. She seems to be keeping it together so far, as evidenced by her cleverness in trying to evade Ward in this episode. But how much longer can she keep this up?

Because this is the worst possible time for anyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. to be losing it, but especially Coulson and Skye. Coulson seems to be the only person trying to keep the organization together right now. And although Skye escaped in this episode, Ward is still hot on her trail. This show isn't just going to let two of its strongest characters go so easily, but how will they find a cure to their impending mental deterioration when it's already difficult enough for them to just try to stay alive?

Image: ABC