Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–…): Season 1, Episode 22 - Beginning of the End - full transcript

Previously on Marvel's
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D...

We should've seen HYDRA
coming. But they don't stand a chance.

COULSON". John Garrett does.

If you're gonna work within
S.H.I.E.L.D. for HYDRA,

you can't get ever attached.

I know that you care about us, Ward!

You're right. I do.

- Ward!
- It's a weakness.

You're still Mike Peterson.
You have a son.

- You and me, what are we?
- We're a team.

So is someone
seeing everything you see?



Waiting to push a button

and blow a hole in your skull
if you disobey?

Garrett doesn't want GH-325
for his Centipede soldiers,

he wants it for himself.

- What are you feeling?
- The universe.

Skye left them
a little surprise.

A Trojan horse.

It's been slowly mapping every
system they've uploaded it to.

If there's a computer system
in that barber shop,

we don't have to chase them anymore.

Sorry about
the security red tape.

You know, intellectual property.
Blah blah blah...

You'll get used to it.

So basically, I've been here
since day one.



Started with me on my computer
in the basement,

and now look what we've grown into.

We've got 20 active systems,
and we're growing fast.

I was gonna ask about
the construction next door.

Ah, yeah, we're planning to add another
100 systems by the end of the month.

That's Sally. Hey, Sally.

So, what, are you just really into
this sort of thing?

Or... What brings you to the company?

Um... The Incentives Program.

Yeah. No one's turned that down yet.

Anyway. So every operator
is in charge of one unit.

You will receive an email
24 hours before it goes online.

Now, some are volunteers,
but some are here

- for the same reason that you're here...
- Hey, Zeller.

- We're in position.
- Okay.

This is good for you to learn
on your first day.

What's going on?

These guys?

We don't like these guys.

Yes, sir, we have them in sight.
Copy that.

Okay, people.

Let them have it.

Could sure use
a little light in here.

Got it.

So who do we talk to
about getting a haircut?

If it isn't The Cavalry.

Don't ever call me that.

Bring the house down.

Time to go!

Aah!

Come on. Let's go.

Our men are still
digging themselves out,

but it looks like Coulson
and the others got away.

- Do you want to...
- Doesn't matter.

- Are you all right?
- What does it look like?

Never better, son.

I need a nail. Get me a nail! A big one.

What the hell is he doing?

He's flexing his new muscles.

He has every ounce of our research
coursing through his veins.

He feels good.

Because he took all of our miracle drug.

When we land at Cybertek,
military brass and investors

are expecting a demonstration,

and I promised them
indestructible super-soldiers.

Not disposable ones.

With HYDRA in the mix,
we won't lack for volunteers.

And if we run out,

our Incentives Program
should help fill the ranks.

Just getting some ideas down.

I can't keep everything in my head.

I gotta be honest with you, John.
Looks like you're kinda losing it.

I'm alive for the first time,
thanks to you.

We took some hits along the way,
but we did it. We did it!

Can't believe it.

This is everything we've been
working towards. Saving you.

Our alliance with HYDRA was
always a means to that end, right?

Symbiotic.

And here we are.

It's not like we're true believers, right?

Don't get me wrong, I'll go where you go.

Having our soldiers
in key positions is great,

but then what?
Are we really planning a coup?

It's more of an uprising.

It's become bigger than HYDRA.

Ward, you've taken good care of me.
Gave me everything I wanted.

It's time for you to decide
what it is you want.

I'll see that you get it, too, son.

I can do anything now.

The Trojan horse worked.

Gave us access
to the system we wanted.

Our secret weapon.

We now have eyes on their operation,
right in the palm of my hand.

We'll need more than eyes
to defeat Garrett.

What is it?

Fitz-Simmons' tracker crossed
the ocean. It's in New Mexico.

They managed to tag the plane?

It appears so. But they're not answering.

No.

We can't think about that right now.

They may have been captured.

Either way, they risked everything
to put a tracker on that plane for us.

Now we know exactly where Garrett is,

and Skye can see what he's doing.

If Fitz and Simmons are still alive,

then catching Garrett is our
only shot at finding them.

You looked very peaceful sleeping.

Didn't wanna wake you,
but I'm glad that you're up.

What's happening?

I've spent the last hour trying
to figure out why we sank.

We're at the bottom of the ocean,

in case you missed that bit.

These pods are built to be compatible

with all S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft,
submarine, spacecraft.

On impact, the atmospheric adaptation

must've tried to compensate.

We slowly sank as it increased
the density of the outer walls.

I measured the rate the water
rose on the glass. Did the math.

We're at least 90 feet down.
You can't see the surface.

How did we survive the fall?

Plane must've been in
vertical flight mode, flying low.

I managed to strap us to one
of the backboards before we hit.

And I broke my arm.

Same two places I broke it
in second grade.

Which is strange.

I thought we were dead for sure, Fitz.
We're so lucky!

Now we just need to figure a way
out of here.

We'll find a way out of here, right?

Then we'd be in the middle
of the ocean with the bends,

no flotation, and no one looking for us.

I already spent an hour trying to rig
the wireless signals on the EKG

to send out a weak distress call

before remembering that
it's a S.H.I.E.L.D. frequency

and no one's listening.

And that's not the problem.

The problem is that
there aren't many supplies left in here,

so, I've already done the math...

Enough with the math!
What are you saying?

There is no way out.

We're going to die down here.

We only get one shot at this,
so let's go over the plan one more time

to make sure we're clear
on exactly what we're doing, okay?

Trip and I will crest the ridge,

use a noisemaker to grab a three-wheel,

maybe something with more fireworks,
and open a window for you two.

You crawl in, grab the dealer,
force his hand,

he'll get us our ace in the hole

and then Bob's your uncle.

- Roger that.
- Makes it sound easy.

Coulson, it's a solid plan
you've mapped out,

but it hinges on a gamble. A big one.

And back-up isn't coming.
It'll be just the four of us.

We'll be outmanned and outgunned.

But Fury always said

a man can accomplish anything

when he realizes
he's a part of something bigger.

A team of people who share
that conviction can change the world.

So, what do you say?
You ready to change the world?

No.

But I'm ready to kick some ass.

That works, too.

I'm saying, just talk to him.

He says everything's fine,
but he's not acting that way.

I don't know what's going on with him,

and I don't like it.

Captivating, isn't it?

First time I saw it,
it reminded me of a lava lamp.

Of course, that was before
I could see through it.

Quinn's expecting
the Gravitonium as payment.

When he's done, I think
it would be wise to let him have it.

Don't be coy.

I know you have plans for this stuff.

I understand it now. I can see its soul.

I can see yours, too.

Ward's concerned you're going mad.

The drug didn't just strengthen my body.

It gave me clarity of mind.

It gave me a vision of the world

that's waiting beneath
the surface of this world.

You don't think that's mad, do you?

You know exactly what I'm talking about.
You always have.

I have no allegiance to HYDRA,
Centipede, Cybertek, you.

- I was only ever interested in...
- Evolution.

You know, we're prehistoric creatures

oozing out of the swamps,
through the mist,

clawing our way onto land,
so we can finally stand.

Or plant roots.

- Or fly.
- Exactly.

I was saddened to learn
you weren't clairvoyant.

I had a question
I didn't get to ask, but now...

Now,

the truth is written
on the back of my eyes.

So,

go ahead, Flowers.

Ask.

What will I become?

Are you scared?

Yeah.

And I'm hungry, too.

Me, too. Scared, not hungry.

- What do you think it's like?
- Death?

Depends on the method, really.

Drowning's supposed to be
quite pleasant in the end,

but apparently,
once the water fills up your lungs...

I mean, after.

Oh, yeah, well...

My mum always said
that you shouldn't be afraid,

because it's just like the way
life was before you were born.

- Which wasn't that bad, was it?
- That's sweet.

Though, apparently,
I was miserable before I was born.

Upside down, umbilical cord
all wrapped around my head.

- Well, she meant pre-conception.
- I know, I'm joking.

Yeah, I know that you're joking.
That's fine.

I like to think about
the first law of thermodynamics.

That no energy in the universe
is created.

- And none is destroyed.
- None is destroyed.

That means every bit of energy
inside us,

every particle

will go on to be a part of something else.

Maybe live as a dragonfish. A microbe.

Maybe burn in a supernova
10 billion years from now.

And every part of us now was
once a part of some other thing.

A moon, a storm cloud, a mammoth...

A monkey.

Thousands and thousands
of other beautiful things

that were just as terrified
to die as we are.

We gave them new life.

A good one, I hope.

It's fitting we're down here together, Fitz.

This is where all life began.
On our planet, anyway.

Just outside that glass...

Jemma...

What?

The glass. Fitz, the glass.

Yeah, it's bulletproof,
pressure resistant...

But the seal is four-Hydroxy-
four-methyl-two-pentanone.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, but
the flash point is too high for it to burn.

But medical ethanol
has a low flash point

- and it burns...
- Hotter.

We could use the defibrillator
as an ignition source.

And build a compressed explosive.

To ignite the seal,

and the outside pressure will

- blow the window in!
- Blow the window in!

Yes, yes, yes! This really hurts my arm.

Okay. Well, now we know that,
there's a whole new set of problems,

but where do we start?

And, finally, welcome to
our Cybernetics subsection.

Where we design, manufacture,
and, with this,

install our most advanced system.

Ladies and gentlemen, this prototype

can replace the severed limb
of a soldier in minutes.

With one 10 times stronger.

Fully networked
to the soldier's biometrics

and to his optical targeting system.

If you want me to open up
Uncle Sam's checkbook,

I'm gonna need specifics.

Specifics. Specifically,

I'd like to build
dozens of these machines.

Increase the scale of our surgery wing.

Crank out 100 soldiers a day.

- To join our Special Ops units.
- No. To replace them.

Navy Seals. Secret Service.

No, gentlemen,

we know the world's
a dangerous place now.

What we're offering you is security.

All right. What do we want?
There's a three-wheel over there.

Here comes a Humvee
that has better fireworks.

Hold on.

Now that's what I'm talking about.

You bring a noisemaker?

Sir, I bring the noise
and the funk wherever I go.

Hey-ho,
friends! The enemy approaches!

Careful now, or they'll win the day!

Move it. Over there!

Hey!

You know where to put this next one.

Nice work, guys. The window's open.

Relax. Practice drills.

The compound's secure.
You have nothing to worry about.

Tell us what the hell
is going on out there,

or you can kiss a government
contract goodbye.

Gentlemen, please, I beg you...

Don't beg them, Quinn.

You're not a Rottweiler.
We don't need their scraps.

Who the hell is this?

This is our strategy consultant,
John Garrett.

I want full disclosure right now,

or our boys will come in
and shut you down.

Why do I hear gunfire?

It's the dying breath
of an old world, General.

But a new world is coming.
I've tasted it on my tongue.

This is your strategy consultant?

He's part-time.

New strategy.

You shut your mouth
and give us everything we want.

You threaten a United States General

and there are consequences.

Oh, you feel powerful now, don't you?

But you're all just slaves
who will serve our future.

Listen, you crazy son of a bitch...

Gentlemen, perhaps a small
demonstration will...

Yes. Oh, yes, a demonstration.

I've seen the future.

I've glimpsed it through
the eyes of every creature,

dead, living, or yet to be.

This is the beginning.

The beginning of what, John?

The end.

You're not going anywhere.

You think you can steal
the Gravitonium?

It was given to us.

What the hell did you say to Garrett?

I listened.

He's psychotic. Did you notice that?

I just had to lock up
six government officials

because he butchered the seventh one.

He completely lost it in there.

You're wrong. Garrett's not lost.
Far from it. He's connected now.

Don't tell me you're following him
into this madness?

His talk of evolution?

I agree with him.
You're the one who follows him.

But in this case, you should.

For the first time, you both need
the same thing, and so do I.

What are you talking about?
I need him to get his head on straight.

Skye. We need Skye.

And that's all you ever wanted, isn't it?

The evolution he speaks of?

She'll be an important part of that.

- So go get her, Grant Ward.
- Get her for what?

The world is going to change.

And when it does, she could be yours.

Oh, you really are crazy.

Skye detests me.
She thinks I'm a monster.

Are you? Is that your true nature?

Or is that what Garrett made you to be?

I don't know.

Well, we know about Skye's parents.

About the darkness that lies inside her.

I believe in a world where
her true nature will reveal itself.

And when that day comes,

maybe you two
could be monsters together.

More on our six.

Here they come.

These windows can't take
many more hits like this, sir.

Let's hope they don't have to.

Coulson, we found the dealer.

This is a bomb. You know what those do.

And you've seen Agent May here

through the eyes of your super-soldiers.

So, you know what she does. You
don't wanna mess with us, is my point.

You're not gonna be able
to hijack our soldiers.

We've thought through
every emergency scenario.

Including this one.

Don't tell me you just switched
the soldiers to default directive?

Yeah. I did.

And how did you know about that?

- Time for the guns?
- Time for the guns.

Stay.

Sta)'-

Good boy.

They're off to defend Garrett.

And lead me right to him.

Now that we're inside,
go contact Armed Forces.

And make some noise
on the way out. Trip.

If the rest of us don't make it,
I still want this place to burn.

- I prefer you make it, sir.
- Me, too.

The compound's been hit.
Raina and Quinn took off.

We need to take action now.
What are my orders?

That's up to you, son.

Wake up!

Come back to reality, John.
What do you need me to do?

You've already done it.

It's your handler.

Probably to tell me
what the soldiers are seeing.

- Yeah?
- Hi, John.

Just calling to catch up.

Skye.

You sound different
on the phone. Huskier.

You curious why I'm calling
from your soldier control center?

No, I'm not too concerned.

You see, if anyone
but the assigned handler

gives a directive to
one of my men, well... Kaboom.

Ah, darn it. Coulson didn't think of that.

You outsmarted us again.

Phil's around? Great.

We actually have a lot to talk about.

Oh, and I wanted you to know,
your scientist friends?

They were brave until their last breath.

Raina told me how special Skye is.

I know you've seen that from the start.

You want orders? Get her.

Thank you.

He's always been a tender heart.

You don't need to be set to default.

You haven't left me alone all day.

I was told to never leave your side, sir.

I love you, too.

All right, we need to hurry.

We have to do this soon.

- There has to be enough...
- Oxygen to ignite, yes.

Yeah.

Good. Okay.

When I press that power button...

The window will blow in,
and water will rush in at once.

Yeah, which is gonna be like 100
punches to the stomach, okay?

The Wind's gonna be
knocked right out of us.

This is near empty,

but I've rigged it to let out
a burst of very high pressure.

It should force a breath into your lungs,

but you have to hold on to it, okay?
Hold on tight.

Should be enough to get you
up the 90 feet or so.

One breath? But there's two of us.

Yeah, I've done the math.

That's why you're taking it.
You're a better swimmer anyway.

- No.
- Jemma...

No, I'm not leaving you here.
That's ridiculous. We need a new plan.

We're not discussing it, okay?
You're taking it. End of story.

I couldn't live if you didn't.

I feel the same way.
There has to be another way.

You're taking it.

Why would you make me do this?
You're my best friend in the world!

Yeah, and you're more than that,
Jemma.

I couldn't find the courage to tell you.

So please.

Let me show you.

- it's okay.
- No. No.

Jemma, Jemma, we have to hurry.

No!No!

- Take it, Jemma. Take it.
- No!No!

No!

Help!

You're in decompression.
On a jet back to the mainland.

They told us you were dead.

Good. We want word
to get around on that.

- Fitz.
- Easy. Easy.

His heart's still beating. Just barely.

I have a full med team with him.

But you have to remain
in this chamber, okay?

His brain was without oxygen for
a long time. But you saved him.

It was the other way around.
How did you find us?

That makeshift beacon of yours.
Good thinking.

Led us right to you.
Lucky we were looking.

- You were looking?
- For my man, Coulson.

I understand
you were involved in a dispute

I might wanna weigh in on.

You have anything that
might lead me to him?

Looks like the back entrance
to the factory floor is on the south side.

Roger that.

I have to hit snooze on this every minute

to keep that from blowing.

I will die before talking.

But there's nothing to tell.

There's no way of controlling
the soldiers

unless there's an actual handler
at the machine.

I'm not interested in that.

I'm more interested in why
you're willing to die for HYDRA.

Are you a true believer?

Is HYDRA the plucky little
family you never had?

Or are you here because
of the Incentives Program?

She's not gonna kill you.

She had a chance to kill me before
and couldn't do it.

And she hates me. A lot.

I feel sorry for you.

Betraying the only people
who gave you a chance

at being a decent human being.

Fitz was a hero because

he still wanted to give you
that chance, after everything.

But some people
are just born evil, I guess.

Yeah. Yeah, maybe they are.

I've learned things about you,
Skye. History.

Things you'll wanna know.
You and I aren't that different.

You're not the evil
I was referring to.

Garrett is evil, you're just weak.

Doing anything you're told.

I hope Garrett orders you
to walk into traffic.

You're right, Skye.

You woke up a weakness inside me.

For the first time in a while,
I wanted something for myself.

Maybe I'll just take what I want.

Wake up something inside of you.

I'm not afraid of you, Ward.

You're not gonna kill us with the bomb.
You'd go, too.

No. I have a weapon
much better than a bomb

that will absolutely destroy you.

Why's that?

Because you slept with her
and she's really pissed off.

Let's talk about Incentives.

Now, you said our thing
was no strings attached.

Looks to me like the ice queen
got her feelings hurt.

Hey-ho,
friends! The enemy approaches!

- Careful now, or they'll win the day.
- Check the perimeter.

Hi, John.

Hi, Phil.

Well, that's new.

Sir?

You don't have to call me "sir," Coulson.

Look at me. I'm dressed like
I live under a bridge.

What are you doing here?

Simmons turned me on to that
old-timey tracker Fitz left on your bus.

I went to great pains to make sure
you didn't die the first time.

Well, now's probably not the best time,

but I'd like to have a lengthy
conversation with you about that.

it might get loud.

And I owe you that, but right now,

we owe Garrett a punch in the teeth.
Wouldn't you say?

This packs a pretty good punch.

I know what it does.

- Reminds me of the old days.
- You were never on top.

We're running out of time.

Tell the man what they have on you.

Fury. Well, hell.

When was the last time anyone saw

a tag-team wrestling match
with four dead guys?

I only see one dead guy in here.

Oh, the power is all on this side
of the room, fellas.

Phil, I'm surprised
you'd try and stop me.

Of course, I don't blame you, Nick.

You haven't seen
the big picture, the big bang.

The timeless frozen ocean.

But Phil here has.

We share a bond. We're blood brothers.

You didn't tell me he'd gone this crazy.

He's really stepped it up a notch.

Wait, May.

I think I've waited long enough for this.

Kyle?

On, baby!

I'm so sorry what they did to you.

What are you looking for?

Our Ace in the hole.

You remember that speech
you used to give us, Nick?

About how one man
can accomplish anything

once he realizes he can be
something bigger?

Well, now I am.

A part. A part of something bigger.

Is that how it went?

Not a great listener.

If you tell me this whole
HYDRA path thing you took

is because you misheard
my damn one-man speech...

I am the key to the future of the universe.
I'm the origin of all things...

- You got it, right?
- Totally. Loud and clear.

Just one second.

Come on. Please. I just...

Aw, man.

Here. Okay, Ace.

I need you to give me a message, okay?

Something your father would know
could only come from you.

I need to prove I have you.

It won't matter. I've already told you,

there's no way to communicate
with Deathlok from in here.

I don't need to.

I've been communicating with him
the whole time.

Fury was teaching us something
you didn't wanna hear, John.

Because you only think about yourself.

That's the difference
between your side and our side.

And why we're always gonna win.

What lesson, Phil?
Please, enlighten me.

You can't do this, Mike.

I order you to stand down.

You must obey me.

You need me to translate
the words of creation.

You don't wanna do this, Mike.
Tell him, Phil!

Mr. Peterson's free to do
whatever he wants.

Think he learned his lesson?

He learned something.

Without regular injections,
they're just men.

Once doctors remove
their cybernetic eyes,

they'll be essentially back to normal.

Minus an eye, of course.

You got a chance to express
all your feelings?

Is he still breathing?

I guess she kept some of it to herself.

He's having trouble speaking.
I think I fractured his larynx.

Oh, good.

Your attempt to cross off
Fitz and Simmons failed.

But Fitz may never be the same again.

So, I'm gonna invent new ways
to ruin the rest of your life.

And we'll do whatever's necessary
to get HYDRA intel from you,

but your torture?
That's gonna be internal.

- And a little bit external.
- Sure, some of that.

But you devoted your entire life
to a deranged narcissist

who never gave a damn
about anyone, and now he's dead.

And you've got the rest of your life

to wrestle with the question,
"Who are you without him?"

Why don't you go to him?

I don't want him to see what I've become.

He won't care about your burns.

That's not what I mean.

Coulson said to bring you in.

You can access my hardware
and watch my every move.

Go ahead.

I'll only be making amends
for my actions.

Whatever you did, you did it for Ace.

And what I do now,

that'll be for him, too.

There's a reason why they say,
"Cut off the head."

Now, I'll be unstop...

Hey, guys! I found it!

I told you it would be in here.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
And cruel. And very stupid.

I think you've made your point.

Why bring me back in the first place?

Clearly, I didn't think
it was the best idea.

I warned you about
people losing their minds.

Agent May was on top of the situation.
She says you're fine.

Aren't you?

It was a "break glass
in case of emergency" situation.

Yes, but that emergency

was supposed to be
the fall of an Avenger.

Exactly.

And I'm damn glad I did it, too.

When you wanna build something,
you need a strong foundation.

Now, you know
how few people I trust, Coulson.

You can count them on one hand.

And I'm not afraid to cut off fingers.

The principle S.H.I.E.L.D.
was founded upon was pure.

Protection.

"Protection." One word.

Sometimes to protect one man
against himself.

Other times to protect the planet

against an alien invasion
from another universe.

- It's a broad job description.
- No need to tell me.

But the belief
that drives us all is the same,

whether it's one man or all mankind.

That they're worth saving.

That truth lives inside you, Coulson.

Before it was torn apart,

S.H.I.E.L.D. was a lot of moving parts.

But guys like you were the heart.

Now...

You'll be the head.

What is it?

A toolbox. To help you build it back up.

You want me to start over?
Rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D.?

From scratch. Take your time.
And do it right.

You'll still have his back?

Of course.

There's no one else I trust with this.

Thank you, sir.

How do you... How should I proceed?

That's up to you,

Director.

And you, sir?
Where are you heading now?

I'm trading in my bird's-eye view

for two solid feet on the ground.

This is the last time
you'll be seeing me for a stretch.

You're gonna disappear.
Nowhere to be found.

Nowhere?

You know me better than that, Phil.

I'll be everywhere.

Fitz? Is he okay?
Please tell me he's okay.

He's alive.

What is this place?

First thing I found in that box
was these coordinates.

Another secret base?

I call it the Playground.

Although, technically,
it doesn't have a name

because, technically, it doesn't exist.

It being a secret base and all.

Eric?

Billy Koenig, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Although I totally understand
the confusion.

Eric passed away, sadly.

But it's great to have company, finally.

And I did not mind minding this place.

Agent Coulson.

I know, I know. And it is
an honor to meet you, sir.

I'll get your lanyard shortly.

For the rest of you,

lanyards will be handed out
on a case-by-case basis.

Can't be too careful

with all those HYDRA threats
still out there causing trouble.

That's why we're here.
Get you up and running,

and back fighting the good fight,
which is gonna be cool.

I know we don't have much,
but what we have is yours, sir.

Thank you.

So...

Where would you like to start?

I know you thought
you'd never see me again,

but I found your daughter.