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*'''Expert Combatant''': Programmed with all of [[Phil Coulson]]'s fighting abilities, [[Chronicoms|Chronicom]] [[Life-Model Decoy|LMD]] Coulson is able to hold his own just as well as the real version. He was able to fight both [[Luke]] and [[Abel]], two skilled [[Chronicom Hunters]] with little trouble and come out victorious. He was also able to fight off a Hunter at [[Area 51]] and nearly won had [[Daniel Sousa]] not interfered.
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*'''Expert Combatant''': Programmed with all of [[Phil Coulson]]'s fighting abilities, [[Chronicoms|Chronicom]] [[Life-Model Decoy|LMD]] Coulson is able to hold his own just as well as the real version. He was able to fight both [[Luke]] and [[Abel]], two skilled [[Chronicom Hunters]] with little trouble and come out victorious. He was also able to fight off a [[Niles Lindmore/Chronicom|Hunter]] at [[Area 51]] and nearly won had [[Daniel Sousa]] not interfered.
*'''Expert Tactician''': ''To be added''
*'''Expert Tactician''': ''To be added''
*'''Expert Marksman''': Programmed with all of [[Phil Coulson]]'s firing capabilities, the Chronicom LMD is able to fire just as well as the real version. After grabbing a [[Chronicom Rifle]], Coulson was able to kill two Hunters with one shot each.
*'''Expert Marksman''': Programmed with all of [[Phil Coulson]]'s firing capabilities, the Chronicom LMD is able to fire just as well as the real version. After grabbing a [[Chronicom Rifle]], Coulson was able to kill two Hunters with one shot each.
"He has all of his own memories, and has been upgraded with complete knowledge of everything he's missed. He has Chronicom hardware, which makes him our most advanced LMD. And there is no better person to be your right hand, sir."
Agent Phil Coulson was the Life-Model Decoy of the real Phil Coulson created by Enoch, Leo Fitz, and Jemma Simmons, using the Chronicom technology. With the Chronicom Hunters planning on wiping S.H.I.E.L.D. throughout history so they could establish Earth as Chronyca-3, the Chronicom LMD was designed to help the team navigate the past as Alphonso Mackenzie's second-in-command. As he came to terms with his new reality, he helped the team navigate 1931, 1955, and 1973, before making the heroic sacrifice by destroying the Chronicoms' time ship, with their Hunters and him still inside it.
"It's like the worst episode of This Is Your Life ever. Was that even my life?" "It was Coulson's." "And he was against this. He didn't... I didn't want to be brought back."
Using the Chronicom hardware and all data about Phil Coulson they had, along with what he had missed over the last year, Enoch, Fitz, and Simmons managed to create a Life-Model Decoy of Coulson that would be their expert in S.H.I.E.L.D. history and help them find out what the Hunters were going to do. Deactivated LMD Coulson was taken to the Zephyr One and traveled with them to 1931. He was activated by Daisy Johnson, and upon his awakening, LMD Coulson greeted Simmons, Johnson, and Alphonso Mackenzie as if he was actually Coulson.[1]
Coulson feels a difference in himself
Sensing the awkwardness in the room, Coulson questioned why no one was talking, but none of them answered. He took note of Johnson's new hairstyle and told her he liked it. Simmons then informed him that he had missed a lot, before Coulson asked how they got into the Zephyr. While Simmons talked about his last scan being from the Framework and that he'll feel some disorientation as his mind catches up with what he's missed, Coulson was too focused on how different his hand and himself felt to pay attention.
Coulson questioned why he felt different and while Simmons tried to ease him into it, Johnson blurted out that he was an LMD, much to Coulson's horror. Coulson's mind then started to catch up on the last two years with him rambling how he died and came back, but how it was really Sarge. Johnson tried to calm him down to no success and he started to remember Sarge stabbing Melinda May, which he felt guilt over. Johnson assured him that wasn't him, but Coulson started to recite everything that happened in the last year that he was alive, ending with his deal with Ghost Rider, before Mackenzie shut him down.
Coulson is brought up on the situation
Mackenzie soon reactivated Coulson, with the latter believing he shouldn't have been built. Mackenzie questioned if he was stable and Coulson compared it as the worst episode of This Is Your Life. Coulson walked to a table and took a minute before reminding Mackenzie that the real Coulson didn't want to be brought back. Mackenzie informed of the situation with the Chronicoms and how Simmons believed that he's their best chance to defeat them. Coulson asked for Mackenzie's thoughts, and he told him that he trusted Simmons, but wanted to know what Coulson thought.
Without hesitation, Coulson told Mackenzie that he'd do anything for them, but if they survive, he was going to reevaluate; Mackenzie agreed to do the same. Coulson asked what the next move was. Mackenzie told them that they needed to find the Chronicoms before they changed something, but Simmons and Enoch arrived to inform them they already had. Enoch told them that the NYPD radioed three bodies without faces and told them this was a technique used by the Hunters to blend in using a device called an Eraser. Mackenzie asked if Deke Shaw had returned with their disguises, and when he got confirmation, he ordered Coulson to suit up with the others.[2]
After putting on the disguises that Deke Shaw acquired, the team, minus Jemma Simmons, Yo-Yo Rodriguez, Melinda May, and Enoch, started their investigation into a group of dead NYPD officers without faces. Once getting through a secret passage, the group, particularly Coulson, were in awe of the sight of 1931 New York.
Coulson talks about 1931
While the team walked the streets, Daisy Johnson and Shaw started gushing over how cool it was being in 1931, but Coulson reminded them that the era they were currently in wasn't all that great with everything that is and will eventually happen in the coming years. When Johnson started to become worried about changing the Timeline due to the Butterfly Effect, Coulson shared her concerns because he might show off his gears to the populace, only for Shaw to give them his view on the Timestream theory.
He explained to them how the time stream theory worked, which Coulson was able to understand and then listened as Shaw explained how they could avoid any serious damage while still being able to explore a little. Alphonso Mackenzie figured where he was going with this and told him that he wouldn't be filing patents. After Shaw assured the Director that he'd be fine, he bumped into a man and Coulson apologized for him, saying it was his first time in New York, and they continued on.
Coulson was then handed plastic badges that Shaw printed out before they left, but the others were less then impressed with his work on them, with Coulson questioning if he had gotten them out of a cereal box. Once they reached Cut Rate Drugs and got through the crowds, they were halted by Fischer where Coulson used Shaw's badge to tell the officer they were part of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and that the four of them were asked to assist in the investigation. When Fischer made fun of Johnson pretending to be a Mountie, Coulson watched in amusement with Mackenzie and Shaw as Johnson threatened to beat the Officer up in front of all of his police friends unless he moved. With that, Fischer let Coulson and the others into the store.
Once inside, the team started to investigate the three bodies, but Coulson questioned the fourth body who still had his face. After Shaw examined the box full of bottles and deduced it was Whisky, Coulson picked up one of the bottles' lids with a swordfish. He was amazed he knew what it meant and told the team about a S.H.I.E.L.D. safe-house that was an old speakeasy where the password was Swordfish, but Shaw figured it was a coincidence. Mackenzie, however, disagreed and ordered Shaw and Johnson to investigate the bodies while he and Coulson checked out the bar.[2]
"Apparently, there was an SSRasset who kept the peace and was always behind the bar, went by "Gemini". Don't know his real name." "Come on, I'll buy you a drink. Can you drink?" "Only one way to find out."
Coulson led Alphonso Mackenzie to the The Krazy Kanoe where there were stairs they down. When the two reached the door, Coulson knocked on it and as they waited, he talked about the password being in a Marx Brothers movie, Horse Feathers and wondered in the glee of them hanging out in this bar. A man finally opened the slide in the door and requested the password. When Coulson answered with Swordfish, he and Mackenzie were aloud in.
Once inside, Coulson told Mackenzie they were looking for an SSR asset who kept the peace behind the bar named "Gemini", but he didn't know what his real name was. Mackenzie offered to buy Coulson a drink, but then questioned if he could drink, to which Coulson replied there was only one way to find out. The two reached the bar and asked Tillman if they could speak to Gemini about the death of the fourth body, only for the bartender and everyone else to pull their guns at them.
Coulson attempted to ease everyone, to no avail. The bartender demanded to know what they did to Jimmy Bottles, but they told them they didn't kill him and requested their help in finding the ones who did. The bartender refused and prepared to kill Coulson, telling him he was dead. Coulson agreed and told the worried Mackenzie he was testing out a theory. He approached the bartender who warned him that he'd shoot. When Coulson grabbed the shotgun, he fired, but Coulson just shrugged it off and took his gun and aimed it at him.
After Mackenzie beat up the other gunmen, Coulson examined where he got shot and started to think being an LMD wasn't as bad as he originally thought, but Mackenzie believed he was crazy. Focusing back on the bartender, Coulson once again asked for his boss. They then heard a voice coming in, telling them if they spilled blood in his bar, they had better add their own. The two recognized the man as a Koenig and he introduced himself as Ernest Koenig. Coulson in turn introduced himself and Mackenzie and assured him they came in peace. Koenig, however, wasn't that moved with his men unconscious.
The three then sat down to negotiate, where Keonig wasn't that pleased since they beat up his guys. Though Coulson defended their actions by pointing out they started it. However, Keonig didn't want to hear excuses from or his "shadow", which caused Coulson to request to keep things civil, telling him he associates the Keonig name with more decency. Keonig defended himself by claiming he was a "Man of the People", but Coulson wasn't that convinced, even when Keonig told him he gave Freddy Malick a job and let him sleep at his bar at a discounted price.
Getting back on topic, the two explained to Keonig that they were the ones that give him his supplies and were after a new gang that was in town who killed one of their guys at Cut Rate Drugs along with Bottles. Believing their story, Keonig told them that he was supplying a political party for the Governor and that he paid off the cops not to arrest him just for having a few drinks. Coulson realized the Governor was Franklin D. Roosevelt and told Mackenzie about his influence in S.H.I.E.L.D.. The two then deduced that the Hunters wanted to kill FDR before he became President, which would prevent S.H.I.E.L.D. from being formed.[2]
Meeting Governor Roosevelt
Coulson as a bartender
"A little help, son?" "Yes, sir." "It'll be our little secret, then." "Yes, sir."
With the help from Ernest Koenig, Coulson and Alphonso Mackenzie attended the political party as bartenders. Coulson was bringing more Whisky to the front when Mackenzie threatened to kill the next 1931 moron, regardless of the consequences of the timeline. They were soon greeted by Daisy Johnson and Deke Shaw, who arrived as backup.
Coulson makes a dad joke
Coulson asked the two if they recognize any of the cops as the Hunters, but they didn't. However, they informed them that there was still one cop they didn't ID yet. When Mackenzie talked about the Chronicoms waiting for Franklin D. Roosevelt, Coulson joked about it being a whole new deal when he got here, which none of them got. He then apologized for the "glitch". Mackenzie then assigned Coulson and Johnson to wait by the door to protect FDR while he and Shaw stayed at the bar. Coulson complied and got into position.
Johnson walked up to Coulson and apologized for bringing him back by pushing the button, despite him not wanting it. Accepting Johnson's apology, Coulson joked about how weird it was that there was a button to push, which Johnson agreed. He continued the conversation by bringing up how he has data telling him he was dead and that he left Johnson a letter, but it wasn't really him. He acknowledged that it must have been a lot for Johnson to go through. To try and ease the awkwardness, Johnson told Coulson that it was a really nice letter he wrote and will let him read it someday, which he looked forward to.
When FDR took the podium, Coulson was amazed at him walking because he needed a wheelchair, but was wearing leg braces to hide his injury. When Johnson mentioned he was at an illegal party with dirty cops, Coulson corrected her by saying that it was only illegal now because his campaign is about overturning Prohibition and helps end in December of 1933. Johnson joked that his fanboy was showing before they were offered glasses of wine, to which they accepted. They then listened to FDR's speech.
Coulson realizes something's wrong
After FDR's speech, Coulson and Johnson continued their conversation. After Coulson took another sip of his wine, he talked about maybe being a LMD wasn't as bad as he thought as he was together with Johnson, at a party with Roosevelt, and for the first time, they were both superheroes. When Johnson believed something wasn't right, Coulson thought she as referring to him, before she corrected herself, saying if the cops were Chronicoms, why were they waiting. Coulson deduced that maybe they wanted to wait for FDR to be isolated, so they wouldn't draw attention. FDR soon headed back to the service entrance to get to his wheelchair and Coulson and Johnson figured that was when they would strike.
They rushed after FDR, where Coulson warned him, only to see he wasn't in any danger. He apologized and started to stutter at being in the same room as FDR. Johnson apologized for their interruption, mentioning that Coulson was a big fan of his. FDR understood and asked if Coulson could help him into his wheelchair. Coulson accepted and FDR thanked him, by offering him his hand, saying his wheelchair would be their secret. Coulson took it and felt great joy shaking hands with the future President. After Roosevelt left, Mackenzie and Shaw arrived asking where the Chronicoms. Only for Coulson to realize they were missing something.[2]
"If the Chronicoms kill Malick, then HYDRA is stamped out before it ever takes hold and S.H.I.E.L.D. is never formed." "So you're saying, to save S.H.I.E.L.D..." "We have to save HYDRA."
The team then got word from Jemma Simmons that her interrogation of Cain revealed they were actually after Freddy Malick, which confused them. When they caught up with him, the Chronicom Hunters had already made their move. Alphonso Mackenzie asked where Daisy Johnson was Coulson told him she was fighting the "Chroni-Cops". Mackenzie ordered Coulson to help Johnson while and Deke Shaw got Malick to safety and that they'd meet up at Ernest Koenig's bar. Coulson then kneeled down to examine the woman the Hunters severely injured, but had to leave her when he heard the fighting and rushed into the kitchen to help Johnson.
Coulson arrived just in time to save Johnson from Luke and Abel, throwing Luke into an oven. While he fought Luke, Johnson handled Abel. When Coulson threw a punch, Luke tried to block it with a metal pan, only for Coulson's LMD strength to dent it, much to his amusement. Luke tried to hit him with the pot, only for Coulson to charge throw a punch, but Luke dodges it. He then grabbed Coulson by the face and slammed him against a pillar repeatedly. Coulson managed to get out of his grip and tried to land a punch, only for Luke to grab him again and try to burn him on one of the oven's burners.
Ripping a steel pipe free, Coulson strikes Luke across the face, knocking him out. Going to help Johnson in her fight against Abel, he intervened just in time before the Chronicom killed her with a cleaver. He then kicked him to the ground and threw Johnson the metal pipe so she could finish the job. After she hit Abel with the pipe, causing him to be flown out into the crowd of people, Coulson and Johnson grabbed the injured woman and fled to Keonig's bar before they were cornered by the actual police.
Coulson and Johnson busted into Keonig's bar, the former carrying the unconscious Viola, much to the bar owner's annoyance, and told him that their "doctor friend" would be here soon to see to her. Koenig demanded to know what happened and Coulson told him that the "gang" was after Freddy and demanded to know why. Koenig told him it wasn't because of his father's money, mentioning his last name to be Malick. That caught their eye and asked what Freddy's full name was. Koenig revealed it was Wilfred Malick.
Coulson and Johnson soon realized that Freddy Malick was actually Gideon Malick's father, who would grow up and become the future leader of HYDRA in America in their time, and that the Chronicoms' true mission in 1931 was to kill him so HYDRA wouldn't become the force it would that S.H.I.E.L.D. was created to combat. Coulson and Johnson then came to the horrible realization that in order to save S.H.I.E.L.D. from being erased from history, they had to ensure HYDRA's very existence.[2]
While waiting for Jemma Simmons and Yo-Yo Rodriguez to arrive, Coulson and Daisy Johnson got to work stabilizing Viola. When Ernest Koenig questioned if they were really in the Import and Export business, Coulson assured him that all he needed to know was that they were here to help. Koenig didn't believe that as Coulson and Johnson had been nothing but trouble since they arrived and all but threatened them if any harm had come to Freddy Malick.
Simmons and Rodriguez then arrived and while Simmons got to work stabilizing Viola, Coulson and Johnson told Rodriguez that Freddy Malick was Gideon Malick's father, who they know would become the future leader of HYDRA. After Johnson informed Rodriguez that he was with Alphonso Mackenzie and Deke Shaw, she asked if they were aware of who Malick was. Coulson told her that they knew the mission was to protect Malick from the Chronicom Hunters or else there would be consequences, but Johnson questioned what those consequences would be.
Coulson reminded her that if HYDRA didn't form then S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't form to fight back, but Johnson pointed out that was because there would be no reason to and to think about the lives would be saved because of it. Coulson, however, denied altering the Timeline, believing if HYDRA didn't form, something worse could take its place. Johnson believed they would handle it when they returned, but Simmons pointed out that they would be returning to a future they wouldn't recognize and informed them that Viola will be fine.
Rodriguez suggested a third option where they stay behind for a while and become a good influence on Malick, but that plan was shot as it would still be altering Gideon Malick's future. Koenig soon returned and informed them that the NYPD were out looking for Malick. Coulson asked Simmons if they could move Viola, and she believed they could. Coulson then contacted Enoch and told him they needed a way to reach Mackenzie, thinking they were out of range. Enoch believed he could boost the signal on the radio transmitter.
Coulson told him to do what he could as they need to inform Mackenzie and Shaw of who Freddy Malick really was. Enoch then revealed to the team that Melinda May had awoken from her coma. Simmons grabbed the radio from Coulson and questioned what he meant. He clarified that she was up and active again. Coulson listened to Simmons tell Enoch that it was to soon and they had no idea of the consequences of May's premature awakening. Simmons ordered Enoch to sedate her and put her back into the Healing Pod.
Coulson lifted the unconscious Viola in his arms and the team readied to leave, only for Koenig to warn them that the police had arrived. Coulson and Rodriguez asked if there was a back or front exit, but Koenig told them that the way they came in was the only way in or out. With the police about to bust in, Koenig hid the group in a secret room in his office. While the others tried to keep Viola quiet, Coulson kept an eye on the situation with the "Chroni-Cops" and Koenig through the peeping hole. When it looked like they were about to be discovered, the Hunters were called away as they discovered Malick's getaway car.
When the coast was clear, the group brought Viola out and seated her at one of the tables. She questioned where Malick was and Coulson venomously told her that he was safe, no thanks to her. Johnson asked why she was meeting Malick, and when she said she was a friend of his father's, just trying to help him, Coulson told her that any friend of the Malick family was no friend of theirs. While they talked to her, Simmons noticed a droplet on her heal and requested certain ingredients to test it, fearing what it was.[3]
After Jemma Simmons set up her homemade lab and started testing the droplet, Ernest Koenig complimented her to Coulson, saying she "knew her onions". Once Simmons finished, she revealed the compound as part of a formula that first appeared in Germany during World War II, making Koenig believe that Simmons was high on moonshine.
Coulson realizes what they had to do
Ignoring him, she continued to explain that the serum was synthesized by the German scientist Abraham Erskine, which made Coulson uneasy, knowing where she was going with this. She finished her debrief with the formula first being used on Johann Schmidt, who they knew as the Red Skull. This made them realize Malick was delivering the key ingredient needed to create the Super Soldier Serum. Koenig commented that with an idiotic name such as that, it needed to have quite the kick to it, which replied that he had no idea.
Johnson and Coulson soon got into an argument on whether they should stop Malick from delivering that ingredient. Coulson believed they shouldn't, as it had already happened, but Johnson and Rodriguez weren't that convinced. Koenig started to believe they were crazy as everything they were saying sounded like nonsense to him. Coulson tried to convince Johnson they can't tamper with a history like that, but she rebutted, saying it wasn't his call to make anymore as Alphonso Mackenzie was the Director now and he didn't have all the information.
The team was then interrupted by their debate when Melinda May contacted them over the radio. Coulson went to talk to her, but intercepted him, saying she wasn't aware he was back. Coulson sadly let Simmons speak with her. She requested to know about Mackenzie and Deke Shaw, but when Simmons refused to tell her anything, she opted to head out and find them herself, much to Simmons' dismay. Coulson told Simmons that at the moment they had to focus on the mission at hand and worry about May afterwards.
Johnson ungagged Viola and demanded to know where Malick was heading. She refused to give answers to them, saying they couldn't stop progress. Coulson told her that all they wanted was to find their friends, she then, in turn, told them to go to "Hell". This made Koenig realize he was heading to Hell's Harbor. Viola doubted they would reach him in time without a plane, but Coulson informed her they indeed had one and requested Koenig's information. He refused to say anything unless they took him alone as Malick was his responsibility. Left with no other option, they agreed. [3]
"You're from outer space. That's it isn't it? You-you-you're all Martians." "Feels like that sometimes, but, no, we're not Martians. And now, Mr. Koenig, if you'd kindly take us to Hell."
The team made it back to Zephyr One just in time to stop Melinda May from killing Enoch with a fire hydrant. Coulson ordered her to stop. May examined Coulson and figured he wasn't Sarge, but wasn't Phil Coulson either. Coulson answered that with yes and no. He noticed May wasn't at all surprised and questioned why, as he was dead. May just dropped the hydrant and walked off, saying he still was.
Jemma Simmons was able to get her back into the Healing Pod and Coulson stared at her unconscious body. Daisy Johnson stood by him and noted how she wasn't even phased when she saw him, believing that was strange. Simmons entered the room and agreed with them, telling them that she was able to sedate her with no trouble as if nothing was happening. Enoch told them that May was "malfunctioning" and that while he was unable to make contact with Alphonso Mackenzie and Deke Shaw, he did make progress and that once they were close they should be able to contact them.
Coulson took the blindfolded Ernest Koenig to the bridge of the Zephyr and revealed it to him, welcoming him aboard. Koenig was in amazement and Coulson watched in amusement as he marveled over the Zephyr and Enoch. After Enoch left to fix his face, Koenig accused Coulson and his team of being Martians, but while Coulson believed it felt like that sometimes, he denied being one. He then requested Koenig hold up his end of the deal and guide them to Hell's Harbor. The overwhelmed Koenig gave them the coordinates and they took off.
Coulson learns about the deadline
With five minutes away from Hell's Harbor, Koenig asked Coulson what they were and told them they were from the 21st Century, part of an organization called S.H.I.E.L.D. that protects the world from threats. Koenig questioned what this had to do with Freddy Malick and Johnson Yo-Yo Rodriguez told him of what his family's future is, but Koenig refused to believe it. They then got an alert and Simmons informed that in 17 minutes the Zephyr will be leaving this time period with or without them and that she had no idea as there was no way of knowing how long it will be. Coulson ordered Johnson to contact Mackenzie and Shaw and tell them they were on their way.
Coulson gives out orders
The team readied for battle against the Chronicom Hunters should they be at the harbor. Coulson said he and Johnson would locate Mackenzie and Shaw and get them safely back to the Zephyr, while Koenig finds and secure Malick, handing him a Thompson M1928. Enoch suggested he also accompany them as being a Chronicom himself, he could handle himself against other Chronicoms should they arrive. Agreeing to Enoch's logic, Coulson grabbed his own Thompson and the team headed out.[3]
They arrived just in time to save Alphonso Mackenzie and Deke Shaw from the Chronicom Hunters. Coulson through Mackenzie a shotgun and the Hunters retaliated with their own rifles. Ernest Koenig asked those were the Martians, and Coulson just went with it and fired back. Noticing Freddy Malick fled, Mackenzie ordered Koenig and Enoch to find him while they held the Hunters off. Coulson and Johnson then informed the pair that if they didn't get back to Zephyr One in three and a half minutes it would jump to the next time period without them.
Coulson and the team leave 1931
Noticing the Hunters stopped firing on them, Shaw believed it was a trap. After Coulson checked to see the Hunters had fled, the group made haste to the Zephyr with only two minutes left. Coulson called Enoch and he reported that Malick was safe and Coulson urged him to hurry back. They made it on board, disgusted they secured HYDRA's future, and attempted to wait for Enoch before Jemma Simmons informed them they had to close the ramp or else the ship would be torn apart. Mackenzie gave the order, and as the ramp was closing, Enoch came running. They cheered him on, but it was too late and they jumped away without him.[3]
Travelling to 1955
Coulson and the others arrive in 1955
"Let's hope we didn't attract too much attention." "Well, about that... I may actually have some good news. We're just north Groom Lake, Nevada. Home of Area 51. Probably happens all the time."
Arriving in the new era, Zephyr One started to fall before its autopilot pulled them out of the dive. The team ran into the bridge and to different workstations to stabilize the Zephyr. Coulson noted that they should have someone piloting the Zephyr when they jump to a new time period. Though a rocky start, the ship skidded to a stop.
With everything stable, the team remembered that they left Enoch behind in 1931, but Coulson believed he'd be ok, as he had "time to spare". They questioned where they were and why they weren't back in their own time and Shaw reported that the GPS wasn't working. After Jemma Simmons picked up a walky-talky and tuned in on a signal, the team found out that they were in 1955. When they became concerned that the Zephyr may have attracted unwanted attention, Coulson gave them good news that they landed near Groom Lake, Nevada, which was the home of Area 51, so the idea of an alien spaceship was common here.
Coulson scans 1955
Coulson then set out to do research on when in 1955 they were in so they could get an advantage over what the Chronicoms were after. While he was scanning through the history books, the team discussed Daisy Johnson ordering Deke Shaw to kill Freddy Malick and how it was exactly what the Chronicoms wanted. The subject then moved to Simmons explaining how they were "drafting" through time in the Chronicom's wake and Coulson briefly turned to listen to her before returning to his research. He collected what he could and returned to the team.
Coulson briefs the team on 1955
He told them that Area 51 is a S.H.I.E.L.D. base, much to Johnson delight to know that she was right all those years ago. He then briefed them that in 1955 there was a project called Helius, and that could be the Hunters target. Simmons defunct Coulson's theory by explaining that Helius was an early attempt at an Ion Fusion Reactor, but never functioned properly. However, Shaw revealed that in the future, Ion Fusion was used to power the weapons on the ships that could destroy enemy ships. The team figured that was what the Chronicoms wanted so they could stop them by destroying Zephyr One.[4]
After retrieving era-appropriate clothing, Jemma Simmons and Deke Shaw remained on Zephyr One, while Coulson and the others went to Flying Rocket Diner to kidnapGerald Sharpe to gain access to his files and clearance to Area 51. Once their food arrived, Coulson talked to Daisy Johnson about how different Melinda May was, using her fight with Enoch as an example. However, Johnson figured that to be typical May, but that it was her showing no emotion when she saw him be weird.
Coulson notes the lack of progress
Coulson agreed, believing that even if she wasn't happy to see his face, she would still be either mad or confused by it. Though, Johnson assured him she'd be happy to see him. Johnson then talked about how weird was the new normal for them, with him being an advanced ChronicomLMD of the real Phil Coulson and them being at a diner in the 1950s as her examples. Coulson, however, considered that to be cool as they were at the precipice of the space race, which was a golden age of innovation.
Johnson then pointed to the restrooms and questioned if it was actually a golden age. Coulson turns around and sees arrows pointing to separate white and colored restrooms. He turns back to Johnson and agrees that they still had a ways to go. Alphonso Mackenzie then nods to Coulson from another booth, signaling that Sharpe had arrived. After Sharpe sat down at his table and Madge pored him a cup of coffee, Sharpe demanded cream and sugar. Johnson took the opportunity to drug her creamer and give it to Sharpe, which allowed them to drag the unconscious Sharpe back to the Zephyr.[4]
"You are on our visitor list, but... your secretary's not." "Oh. She's not my secretary. She's my boss." "I think you'll agree I don't need to be on the list."
Coulson and Jemma Simmons made their way to Area 51 under the aliases of Gerald Sharpe and Peggy Carter. Reaching a checkpoint, Coulson showed an MP his ID and they were granted clearance into Area 51. Arriving at the base, Coulson and Simmons step out and are greeted by Lieutenant Carpenter. The lieutenant granted "Sharpe" access but told him his secretary had to wait outside. Coulson informed that Simmons was his boss and she introduced herself as Peggy Carter. The lieutenant apologized and let them pass. Coulson then muttered that Simmons was enjoying this way too much.
The two were led into the laboratory by Pascal Vega who introduced them to the prototype of the Walkie-Talkie Wristwatch. Coulson was left in awe at seeing the prototype of the wristwatch the real Phil Coulson on the Bus. Vega then presented the prototype of an EMP Generator before finally presenting the Helius, though Coulson thought it would be bigger. Believing "Sharpe" was playing with him, he revealed this as a model one-twentieth in scale, while the actual Helius was on the testing field and showed them surveillance of it.
Vega then talked about their hope of creating an ion fusion reactor, but Simmons moved on by asking how the MPs arrive, but Vega said that they live here with him. Coulson then asked if anyone had entered the base, and Vega revealed that the science team comes in daily. Coulson told him that they needed to ask them a few questions, which led Vega to question if it had anything to do with a test that afternoon. Simmons confirmed it was about the test and Vega asked if they knew something he didn't. Coulson leaned in and replied that they did before taking his picture with his camera glasses and sending it back to Zephyr One.
Coulson and Simmons interview the scientists
When the scientists sat down, readied to be questioned, Simmons was less than hopeful they could ID the Chronicom, as they would all look and act like the stereotypical scientist. Coulson, however, told her that they just need to test them for an emotional response to see if they were Human. After running through a number of them, some harder then others, Vega arrived to let them know that a bus containing the VIPs for the Helius test had arrived. Coulson opted to clear the new arrivals while Simmons finished the scientists and left to meet them.[4]
Coulson got on the bus and started questioning the VIPs to see if any of them were Chronicoms. After clearing a few, he approached an elderly woman and asked her a horrid question that brought her to tears, calling Coulson a sick man. He tried calming her down by saying she past his test, to no avail. Coulson then heard a man call out for his arrest, which confused him. He turned around to find out who this person was, only to become awestruck that it was Daniel Sousa. He told him he was a fan before taking his picture with his camera glasses.
Coulson and Jemma Simmons were then handcuffed and taken into custody, being placed in a holding cell. They were soon rescued when Daisy Johnson, disguised as an CIA arrived to bail them out. Daniel Sousa let them out, but refused to leave when Johnson requested a moment alone with them. Alarms then went off, which distracted Sousa long enough for Coulson to break out of his handcuffs and lock him in the holding cell. Coulson apologized for locking him in and again called himself a fan of his before leaving with Johnson and Simmons to see what the chaos was about.[4]
Foiling the Chronicom's Plans
Coulson is told the bad news
"They designed this EMP all wrong, but if I can get it working-." "We can block out Helius?" "Yeah, I hope so."
Coulson, Jemma Simmons, and Daisy Johnson arrived outside to see the Helius had powered up. The ran to Pascal Vega and asked what was happening. Simmons asked if they could stop it, but he sadly told them that once it started, there was no turning it off. When Vega answered Johnson's question of where the visitors were, Coulson told him they still had time to evacuate them to the bus and drive away. After Vega left to do that, Simmons reminded Coulson that there was no time, but Coulson said that Vega needed to know that.
The three were then joined by Melinda May and Yo-Yo Rodriguez who were searching for the Chronicom. When asked if they found the Chronicom they got their answer when they spotted it driving away towards Helius. May and Rodriguez assured them they could handle it and chased after it. As May and Rodriguez went after the Chronicom Hunter, Coulson, Johnson, and Simmons headed back inside the laboratory to see if they could find a way to deactivate Helius remotely in case May and Rodriguez failed to stop the Hunter from overloading the device.
Arriving in the lab, Coulson and Simmons ran to the EMP Generator, while Johnson looked over the computers to try and hack it. Simmons told Coulson that if she could get the EMP working, it could black out Helius and asked Coulson for tools, to which he replied. A scientist then arrived and Johnson and Simmons tried to warn him away, only for it to be revealed to be another Chronicom Hunter after a threw Johnson into a wall. Before the Hunter could kill Johnson, Coulson tackled the Chronicom scientist and drags him out into the hallway.
While Johnson and Simmons worked on the EMP, the two fought in a heated battle. The Chronicom scientist and Coulson slammed each other into walls, denting them, before Coulson held him in place and started chocking him. He then snapped the Chronicom's neck, but he shrugged it off and shoved Coulson away. He attempted to punch Coulson, but he grabbed his arm and flipped the Hunter to the ground. He then lifted the Chronicom by the throat, but the Hunter threw Coulson over. He got up and the two grabbed each other by the throat.
The Hunter shoved Coulson into another wall, but he knocked his arm away, then dodged one of his punches. He then slammed the Hunter to the ground. He punched him, then shoved under his chin, trying to decapitate him. Daniel Sousa then arrived, demanding Coulson to get off him, distracting him long enough for the Hunter to roll Coulson over and bash his head on the ground. Sousa tried to intervene by hitting the Chronicom with his cane but failed. The Hunter then turned his attention to Sousa, allowing Coulson to get up, but before he could aide Sousa, the EMP went off, causing Coulson to shutdown. His eye then began to flicker.[4]
Getting History Back on Track
Coulson finds himself handcuffed to a table
"Tell me what train and let me make a call. My contact will bring it to us." "Us? The plan was for me to chaperone the gadget, not a scientist." "It seems like you got a new plan now."
Coulson soon rebooted and found that all color had disappeared and had an internal monologue. He looked down to see he was handcuffed, but even though he could break out of them, he decided that it was best he hold off on the jailbreak. He saw Daniel Sousa talking on the phone about what happened at Area 51 before he noticed a newspaper and read the headline as July 22, 1955.
While his head was "ringing like a bell", he was able to remember that this was the date that made Daniel Sousa a legend within S.H.I.E.L.D. history. He recounted that he learned about Sousa's final mission from the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy like all the other recruits reading A History of S.H.I.E.L.D.. The history book spoke of Sousa becoming the first fallen agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. after he was killed by the Russians after successfully delivering revolutionary S.H.I.E.L.D. technology to Howard Stark at the Hotel Roosevelt in Los Angeles.
After Sousa hanged up the phone, Coulson was able to deduce that today's events had been disrupted, before Sousa demanded to know his name. Knowing he had to get history back on track, he used his knowledge of today's events to lie that he was his contact, but Sousa had hard time believing him after all the lies he's told. Coulson sarcastically suggested he ask the deceased Niles Lindmore, who he claimed help develop the device with him that he was to deliver before he double-crossed them and tried to sell it to the Russians and that he had tried to stop him before they got into a fight which Sousa witnessed.
Sousa still had a hard time believing Coulson's story has the fight he witnessed between him and "Lindmore" wasn't typical for regular scientists. Coulson claimed that typical times were over and Sousa decided to test Coulson by saying Lindmore melted like the Wicked Witch of the East, before Coulson corrected him with the correct comparison of the Wicked Witch of the West. He insisted that Sousa stop wasting time and get the package to Stark, and Coulson could see that Sousa realized that he didn't have any more time to question Coulson.
Coulson uncuffs himself
When Sousa asked where the package currently was, Coulson revealed he didn't bring it to Area 51 as there were to many variables that compromise its safety. Sousa told him that time was one of those variables and that he needed to deliver the device to Los Angeles by train as quickly as he could. Coulson requested he tell him which train so he could inform his contact to meet them there with the package. Sousa was confused as the mission was for him alone to deliver it, but Coulson suggested he adjust to the new plan where he accompanies him. Having no time to argue, Sousa gave Coulson the keys to his cuffs and the phone to call his contact.
Realizing he couldn't use a 1950s phone to get in contact with Zephyr One, he dialed the number to The Krazy Kanoe, hoping to reach Enoch. When he got a hold of the Chronicom, he was overjoyed to return to the team, only for Coulson to sadly tell him that they had to pick him up later and requested he relay a message to the team. Enoch, however, revealed he could transfer his call directly to the Zephyr. Once in contact with them, Coulson filled them in on what was happening and Alphonso Mackenzie ordered Yo-Yo Rodriguez and Deke Shaw to retrieve the package.[5]
Travelling with a Legend
Coulsons grows worried
"The agent's life- must be exciting." "It fills the days. Lot of threats out there." "Russians." "And others. Lying low, biding time."
Coulson and Daniel Sousa made it to their train and Coulson noticed Sousa was getting impatient, so Coulson searched for Yo-Yo Rodriguez and Deke Shaw, but couldn't find them. Sousa questioned where his contact was and Coulson assured him that he'd be on the train. Coulson gestured Sousa to take a seat or get a drink in the bar car to calm his nerves, before sitting down himself. Sousa refused the drink and sat across from Coulson. While Coulson told Sousa not to worry, he himself was actually worried as the team didn't show.
Coulson continues to improvise
Seeing that Sousa was getting more and more impatient by the minute, "threatening to get loose" from his "hook", Coulson knew he had to improvise now that the team wasn't going to show. He noticed a guy with a briefcase in another seat, putting his hat over his head as he fell asleep and claimed that was his contact and all he was waiting for was the signal. Coulson got up from his seat and carefully picked up the man's briefcase, making sure not to wake him up. He and Sousa then exited the cart and moved to another one.
Coulson and Sousa talk about their love lives
As the two continued their journey to Los Angeles, Coulson tried making friendly conversation by asking if the agent's life that Sousa led was exciting. Sousa told him that the life filled the hours of the day with all the threats out there in the world. He then deduced that Coulson's science didn't leave him with much time for a life, but Coulson wasn't following. Sousa noted that he didn't have a ring on, so Coulson revealed that there was a woman, but he couldn't stay long enough to make it work. He asked about Sousa's love life, only for him to say it was the same as his.
Sousa then asked if he could examine the device, but Coulson denied him, saying it was for Howard Stark's eyes only. Sousa informed him that Stark wasn't coming in person and that it was going to be one of his men in L.A, leaving Coulson bum as he always wanted to meet him. This made Sousa confused, as he claimed to have worked on this device for Stark, yet has never met him. Coulson said he had sent "encouraging messages" to the lab, which Sousa could see him doing. Coulson asked what Stark was like, only for Sousa to describe him as a "pompous ass".
Coulson believed that big thinkers like Stark could come off that way and that it was what divided those who work in the lab as scientists versus those who worked in the field as agents. Sousa could attest to that, as he was starting to feel it between him and Coulson and decided to get a drink from the bar car and asked if Coulson wanted any. He said he never drank alcohol, which didn't surprise Sousa. After he left, Coulson was soon approached by Luke. He sat where Sousa was and assured Coulson that he didn't come here to fight, but to make a deal.
Coulson was surprised, as he didn't think making deals was what Chronicoms do, but Luke told him that they adapt. Coulson told the Hunter to pitch his offer to Alphonso Mackenzie, but Luke told him that the reason he was talking to him was because he was no longer a Human. He asked Coulson if he saw the absurdity to Human life now that he was a Life-Model Decoy, but Coulson believed Humans were what made life on Earth worth living. Luke, however, reminded Coulson that even if they left Earth alone, he would still lose everyone he held dear to time as they died around him.
Growing annoyed by Luke's chattering, Coulson told him to just say what his proposition was for them. The Chronicom offered if S.H.I.E.L.D. allowed them to establish Earth as Chronyca-3, they would spare their lives when they exterminated the population. Coulson, however, didn't believe him after seeing all the dead bodies with their faces erased and refused his offer of benevolence. Luke reminded Coulson that right now, the Chronicoms had kept this battle clean and if they refused their deal, they would retaliate tenfold.
Coulson didn't take Luke's threats seriously as he knew the only reason he was making this deal was because they found out they were on their trail and rebutted that if the Chronicoms escalated, then S.H.I.E.L.D. would do the same. Luke wasn't deterred by Coulson's claims and pointed out that they would never see the full picture like they did, revealing that they knew this was the day Sousa was to die as he got out of his seat. He then revealed that they made a phone call to someone to insure that he would die now, rather then at the Hotel Roosevelt and left.
Coulson officially introduces himself
Realizing that Sousa was in danger, Coulson headed to the bar car to save him before he was assassinated. He arrived just in time to see Mackenzie and Daisy Johnson arrive to save Sousa from the assassins. As one of the men were getting up to fight again, Coulson wacked the briefcase across his face, knocking him out. Unfortunately, the hit opened the case, revealing to Sousa that all it contained was paper. Sousa demanded to know who they were and Mackenzie introduced them by their last names. Johnson informed him that they had the package and took him into the Quinjet to retrieve it on Zephyr One.[5]
"I don't want it to happen either but we kept Malick on course despite the temptation to do otherwise. Look, I'm not taking a side. I'm just saying...." "Well, it's easier to let a bad man live than to let a good man die." "That's catchy, and I wish I'd said it, but Agent Sousa's sacrifice was an inspiration to others in S.H.I.E.L.D.."
On the way back to Zephyr One, Coulson was relieved to see his team, but was informed that Deke Shaw had been kidnapped. Arriving on the ship, the team opted not to tell Daniel Sousa where they were from, but Coulson knew that he figured something wasn't right. After Sousa questioned what agency they were from, Melinda May arrived and shook his hand, causing Coulson to notice that something was wrong with May soon after she shook his hand, but she quickly recovered and Jemma Simmons took her to the med-bay.
Coulson talks about their "budget"
Coulson, Alphonso Mackenzie, and Daisy Johnson led Sousa to the Zephyr's hanger where they presented him with the S.H.I.E.L.D. device, though the agent was less then impressed with it, believing Howard Stark would be more amazed by their ship, which led Coulson to say that their budget was off the books. When they asked Sousa if he could assist them in finding Shaw, he told them that it was probably whoever ordered the hit on him. Though Johnson believed it to be the Russians, Sousa speculated it to be someone else who was after the device.
When Sousa gave them his suspicions that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been infiltrated by HYDRA, Coulson and the others revealed they already knew, leading Sousa to question how. Coulson then had a revelation; Sousa was actually killed by HYDRA to keep him from exposing them. He asked who knew about his delivery, and Sousa said only his superior, but refused to divulge his name, only for Coulson to ask if his last name was Malick, which Sousa confirmed by his expression. Coulson then realized Shaw was being held by Wilfred Malick, but figured he wouldn't recognize Shaw, allowing him to talk his way out his predicament.
Coulson and Mackenzie then retreated to the bridge, while Johnson stayed with Sousa in the hanger. Using the address they got from Sousa, they suspected Shaw was taken to his mansion. Coulson then questioned what they were going to do about Sousa, as he still had to make the delivery. When Mackenzie pondered what to do, Coulson reminded him they let Malick live despite the temptation and that Sousa's death was an inspiration to others in S.H.I.E.L.D. When Mackenzie compared to how his death was the Avengers' motivation, Coulson thought that was overselling it, but Mackenzie disagreed.
Mackenzie then brought up that Coulson was able to fight another day, and while Coulson agreed, he pointed out that they had no idea what Sousa's survival would have on history. Their debate on Sousa's future was interrupted when they were contacted by Shaw, who managed to escape. Shaw tried to reveal who had kidnapped him, only for Coulson to reveal they already knew it was Wilfred Malick, which annoyed Shaw. Ordering Shaw to stay put, Mackenzie told Coulson he was changing the mission and left Coulson on the bridge.
Mackenzie returned to the bridge with Johnson and he told the two that they were going to break his rules and change history to save Sousa from his fate. He said that they were going to make the delivery for him and then figure out what to do with him afterwards. Coulson and Johnson agreed, with Coulson noting it was the Director's call to make, not theirs. The three went down to the hanger, only for them to arrive to late as Sousa took off in one of their motorcycles to deliver the package at the Hotel Roosevelt.[5]
Coulson and the team boarded the Quinjet, with the intent of saving Daniel Sousa from his death, but Coulson wondered if they would make in time. Arriving at the Hotel Roosevelt, the team decided to fake Sousa's death by having Coulson take his place. Coulson and Alphonso Mackenzie cornered Sousa after he made his delivery and Sousa thought he shook them. Coulson then aimed an I.C.E.R. at him, assuring him that this would probably make sense later before icing him.
Coulson then took Sousa's hat, raincoat, and cane and proceeded with the plan. He arrived at the pool where Sousa was found dead in the reports and waited for the HYDRAassassin to arrive. When he finally did and shot him in the back two times, Coulson proceeded to act as if they actually inflicted harm before falling into the pool. Being a ChronicomLife-Model Decoy, Coulson was able to stay underwater long enough for Daisy Johnson and Jemma Simmons to arrive, disguised as medical examiners to extract him to Zephyr One with the unconscious Sousa.[5]
After the team got Daniel Sousa and picked up Deke Shaw, they prepared to jump to the next time period. On the bridge, Jemma Simmons ran a systems check on Coulson to repair his damaged eyes and internal monologue. Coulson felt good to be back on the Zephyr and as he was talking about feeling even better when his systems were restored, he was able to see color again just as Melinda May walked in. As he reported that everything was back to normal with his systems, May grabbed Coulson's and said she couldn't feel anything when she touched him before walking to the pilot seat.
Once they jumped to the next era, Coulson went to the med-bay to check on Sousa. As he was recovering, he questioned Coulson what he had shot him with, and Coulson told him that it was an I.C.E.R., which hadn't been invented yet in his time. Sousa looked in back of him to see the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo, only for Coulson to reveal that he and his team were part of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future and that they were in his time period fighting "body snatching robots" from another planet that wanted to destroy them and take over the Earth. He then concluded his explanation by telling him that the "melting man" that looked like Niles Lindmore was one of them and handed him his cane.
Sousa accepted his cane back and took a moment to process the revelation, before asking Coulson why hadn't just told him that from the beginning. Coulson, however, questioned if he actually had to answer that, but Sousa told him that he had seen a lot that would've made him believe their story, though Coulson doubted that to be true. Coulson then informed Sousa of his situation of having died at the Hotel Roosevelt and that they faked his death to insure his survival, but now he had been plucked from the Timeline, leaving Sousa in disbelief.
Coulson and the others arrive in the 1973
Coulson then took Sousa to the Zephyr's bridge, where he questioned if this ship was what allowed them to Time Travel, before asking what year they were in now, figuring they weren't in 1955 anymore. Coulson told him they were trying to find out right now and waited for Shaw to toon in a radio station. After Shaw found one and hijacked it, the song No More Mr. Nice Guy played throughout the bridge. Coulson and the others, minus Shaw and Sousa, were left in dismay as they knew what era they were currently in.[5]
After arriving in 1973, the team realized they needed to retrieve Enoch from The Krazy Kanoe before they jumped again. So, after retrieving era appropriate clothing, Coulson, Melinda May, Daisy Johnson, and Daniel Sousa went to rescue the Chronicom. While walking the streets of New York with May, Coulson was in glee to be in the time period of the city he was familiar with and talked about how much he appreciated the nostalgia.
However, May continued to show no emotion to Coulson, which bothered the Chronicom LMD. After May bumped into a busy man passing by and started to portray his emotions of anger and impatience, Coulson quickly got her away from him before she caused a scene. As they continued walking, Coulson made a dry joke about her doing a good job in labeling and communicating her emotions, which only May angrier. The two soon met up with Johnson outside of Ziff's Clothing, where Coulson complimented Johnson's sense of fashion.
The three then waited for Sousa to come out with his disguise, only for him to decline any of the "elephant pants" they had. When Sousa questioned how the people of their time functioned with these clothing, Coulson broke the news to him that they weren't in their own time yet. The four then headed to The Krazy Kanoe, but Sousa asked how they knew he was supposed to die die in 1955. Coulson reminded him that his death was in the history books, but Sousa began to question if he never died in the first place, and that he had always been saved by the team, though Johnson suggested he not confuse himself with it.
Coulson recommended Sousa return to Zephyr One to make himself more comfortable, but Sousa insisted he was fine and opted to embrace what the 1970s had to offer. After being disturbed by a rollerskating man with a boom box, the team made it to the entrance to The Krazy Kanoe. Coulson asked Sousa if he had ever been to the S.H.I.E.L.D. safe-haven, which he replied that he only been there a couple of times. Coulson expressed disappointment that he couldn't have seen it in its prime and started talking about what Roger Dooley used to do at the bar, before Johnson reminded him that Enoch had been waiting long enough for them to pick him up.
The four then walked down the stairs to the secret entrance and, now having upgraded to a keypad lock instead of a lookout to confirm the password, Coulson typed in the code word, Swordfish, on to the keypad. Once they entered the S.H.I.E.L.D. bar, they were taken back as they saw a party was currently being held. Coulson questioned what called for the celebration and figured Enoch would have the answers they sought. The four then split up into teams of two to search for the missing Chronicom, with Coulson taking Sousa as his partner.
Seeing no sign of Enoch, Coulson and Sousa settled at the bar, where Sousa commented he was happy to see S.H.I.E.L.D. growing, but wanted to know what they were celebrating. Coulson directed his questions to the man everyone was centered on, Rick Stoner. Sousa was left in disbelief that Stoner had become such a big deal in S.H.I.E.L.D. and revealed to Coulson that he knew "Little Ricky" from his days in the army, only Stoner was so green that he didn't know the difference between a mag and a clip, which left then Coulson in disbelief himself.
Stoner then took the floor, leading Coulson and Sousa to listen to the General. When he introduced Wilfred Malick, the two were left confused, as history depicted Malick dead in 1970. Coulson then listened carefully to Malick's speech about using targeted satellites to pinpoint hostiles and neutralize them before they posed a threat and came to a horrible realization. Seeing that what Malick said was familiar to Coulson, Sousa asked what it meant. Coulson revealed that HYDRA was forty years ahead of when it was originally pitched and watched in dismay as Malick presented a cake with Project Insight written on it.[6]
"Counter offer. Let us go, and the kid walks." "You wouldn't. Nathaniel's got nothing to do with this." "He's a ripple. Doesn't belong here." "I'd hate to do something we'd all regret. So what's it gonna be."
After Wilfred Malick's speech, Coulson and Daniel Sousa took a seat in the far corner of The Krazy Kanoe. Sousa questioned id all the people in the bar were secret HYDRA agents, but Coulson informed him that only some of the higher ups were moles, while others, like Rick Stoner, were loyal S.H.I.E.L.D.. When Sousa noticed that even the loyal S.H.I.E.L.D. were happy about Project Insight, Coulson told him it was them thinking it would protect the Earth and told him that happened in his time as well.
Sousa questioned how HYDRA infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. this early in the Timeline, but Coulson figured the Chronicoms were involved. When Sousa used the expression "A Trout in the Milk", Coulson was confused, but realized he was asking if he had any evidence to support his theory. He told Sousa that Luke warned him that they would alter the timeline if he and his team didn't accept his deal and that them keeping Malick alive past 1970 was evidence of that. Sousa then began think that since the timeline was already damaged, they should've left him back in 1955 so he could stop HYDRA.
Coulson told him that there was no way of knowing how that would've impacted the future, especially if the Chronicoms were involved. The two then opted to split up to get intel on Project Insight and search for Enoch. Before Sousa left, Coulson insisted he keep a low profile, as he was famous among S.H.I.E.L.D. and would be recognized. Coulson then contacted Jemma Simmons and informed her of the situation. When Simmons volunteered to search for Enoch on her own, Coulson told her that while he appreciated her loyalty to him, Insight took priority. Understanding what Coulson was saying, Simmons complied with his request to scan radio chatter and two hanged up.
Coulson regrouped with Melinda May and they waited for Daisy Johnson and Sousa to return. After spotting them, they headed for the exit, before being corned by Malick. He thanked Coulson for attending the celebration and asked for his name. Coulson pulled Sarge's real name from his memory files and introduced himself as "Patrick Kutik". Malick asked if he had ever been to River's End, mentioning he bought a house there, but Coulson denied ever being there. Malick then dropped his kind demeanor and revealed his "friends" told him otherwise. Coulson and May were soon surrounded by Luke and his Chronicom Hunters.
Malick recounted his first meeting with Coulson in 1931 at The Krazy Kanoe, and questioned what he had been doing while he had lived an entire lifetime. Before Coulson even answer, Luke butted in and mocked him for not taking their deal. Malick ordered their surrender, but was horrified when Johnson and Sousa arrived, holding Nathaniel Malick hostage. Coulson threatened to kill Nathaniel if he didn't let them go, but Luke refused to bargain and ordered his men to take aim. Malick quickly gave in to their demands and the for took off to the exit.
After making it outside the bar, Coulson noted they needed to get "some wheels" and flee the area before the Hunters caught up with them. At that very moment, a car drove up to them and the driver was revealed to be Enoch. He ordered them into the car if they wanted to survive. Getting into the vehicle, Enoch bitterly mentioned him being stranded for the last forty years in New York, to which Coulson apologized for leaving him behind. He complimented his ride, and after Enoch talked about it, he stepped on the engine and speed away to Zephyr One.[6]
Traveling to 1976
Coulson briefs the team on what he knows
"You tried. There's nothing else you could've done." "How far did we jump?"
After returning to Zephyr One, Coulson and the others informed Alphonso Mackenzie of HYDRA's goal of launching Project Insight in 1973. Coulson told the Director that Wilfred Malick intended to use the satellites and lasers that S.H.I.E.L.D., which he would find impressive if it wasn't used against them. Mackenzie figured it would explain the launchpad he and Yo-Yo Rodriguez found at the Lighthouse. After Daisy Johnson and Daniel Sousa revealed some of the names listed in the dossier, Mackenzie suggested if the move now, they could stop Insight before it launched.
Coulson and the others arrive in 1976
Sousa then got everyone's attention when he noticed the countdown to when they will jumped next started malfunctioning. Coulson asked Jemma Simmons to explain what was happening, but she gave them the bad news that they were about to jump and she couldn't override it, as the Chronicoms changed their plan. Knowing they couldn't jump with the threat of Insight, Rodriguez tried escaping the Zephyr before it jumped, but failed. Coulson followed her down to the hangar and assured her she did her best. Rodriguez questioned when they jumped to and Coulson informed that they jumped to the day Insight launched: July, 4, 1976.
The team then regrouped in the hangar to go over their plan to stop Insight's activation. Mackenzie ordered Coulson and Melinda May to infiltrate the Lighthouse and plant explosives in the right positions to flood the base, halting the launch, but preserving its state in the Timeline. Coulson then listened to Mackenzie give Johnson the order to hack into the surveillance feeds to insure there weren't any prisoners left behind and saw Sousa volunteer to go with her. After Enoch lowered the ramp, the four left to complete their assigned missions.[6]
Coulson and Melinda May were able to infiltrate the Lighthouse and steal the uniforms of two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, locking their unconscious bodies in a storage room. Alphonso Mackenzie contacted them and gave them the green-light to proceed. Coulson complimented the "throwback uniforms" they were wearing, calling them covert and fashionable.
Arriving at the first checkpoint, Coulson and May waited for Daisy Johnson to grant them access to the rest of the base. As they waited, Coulson brought up the good teamwork he and May had in the past, despite what the two of them later became, and wondered if they would ever be able to feel that sense of nostalgia again. May could only respond to Coulson by wondering if she would ever have the sense of feeling period. The discussion was interrupted when Johnson hacked the security and the two continued on with the mission.
As Project Insight prepared to launch in five minutes, the two reached another checkpoint, and contacted Johnson for her assistance, but, she didn't respond. Mackenzie contacted them and informed them that Johnson and Daniel Sousa weren't answering their comms and ordered them to get Rick Stoner to aide them, who was currently on route to their position. As Stoner was about to pass them, Coulson and May called out to him for his help. While Stoner recognized May as "Agent McBride" from 1973, he questioned who Coulson was.
Coulson ignored his question of his identity and insisted he not launch the Insight satellite, warning him that HYDRA had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. with the assistance of time-traveling aliens. Stoner questioned if the aliens were synthetic or organic, but Coulson, pleased that Stoner seemed to believe him, told him they were a combination of both. While Stoner and Coulson talked, May touched his shoulder, before knocking him out cold. Coulson questioned why she did that and she revealed that she felt his feelings and knew he didn't actually believe him. They then took his access card and carried on, with Coulson apologizing to the unconscious Stoner.
Reaching the area they needed to set the explosives, Coulson and May quickly got to work with less than three minutes left. As Coulson placed the last explosive on the wall, the countdown to zero began, and they awaited Mackenzie's signal to flood the Lighthouse. The two were heading to the exit when they received orders from Mackenzie to abort their mission. Coulson and May questioned Mackenzie's decision, but went through with it and halted the detonation just as the satellite launched. They were then surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, who demanded they surrender; the two complied.[6]
Skirmish at the Lighthouse
To be added
Ultimate Sacrifice
"You said I was wrong about three things. What's the third?" "Me. You see, I haven't feared death in a long time." "Is that so?" "Yeah. The fact is, dying... it's kind of my super power."
According to Jemma Simmons, the ChronicomLMD of Phil Coulson has been programmed with not only all of Coulson memories but also the events that have taken place after his death. While having unusual cold moments of stoicism he retains many of Coulson's personality traits including his sense of humor and dedication and loyalty to his team.
At first, Coulson was weary of being an LMD as he had the memories of the real Coulson's protests against it but accepted it so he could help his team. However, during his first mission with Alphonso Mackenzie, he began to see the perks of being a Life-Model-Decoy, such as being bulletproof and getting to spend time with Daisy Johnson and his other loved ones.
Coulson inherited the original version's admiration for S.H.I.E.L.D. history as when meeting Daniel Sousa for the first time, he was filled with glee for meeting a S.H.I.E.L.D. legend.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
"Turns out being an LMD has its perks. Like taking two in the back without a fuss. And being able to spend some time under water."
Android Physiology: Being an android, the Chronicom LMD Coulson's physiology is superior to that of a human.
Enhanced Strength:
Coulson denting a pan
Due to being an android, Coulson has strength superior to a human. When Luke attacked Coulson with a metal pan, he caused the metal pan to have a deep dent with one punch. He later broke free from his handcuffs twice without issue and pushed a Chronicom into a wall with great force. While fighting the Hunter, he was strong enough to almost snap his head off before he was distracted by the arrival of Daniel Sousa.
Enhanced Durability: Due to being an android, Coulson's synthetic nervous system prevents him from feeling pain. When Tillman shot Coulson, he felt no pain and didn't even feel the bullet. Fighting the Chronicoms, Coulson didn't even feel the attacks. When taking Daniel Sousa's place in his assassination, Coulson was shot twice in the back by Joe and didn't feel it.
Immortality / Longevity: Being an android, Coulson is immune to aging and disease, thus making him an ageless immortal, very similar to Chronicoms. However, he can still be killed, if irreparably damaged by not being repaired or when his body and circuits vaporize in an explosion, as happened in the hidden ship of the Chronicoms.
Abilities
Expert Combatant: Programmed with all of Phil Coulson's fighting abilities, ChronicomLMD Coulson is able to hold his own just as well as the real version. He was able to fight both Luke and Abel, two skilled Chronicom Hunters with little trouble and come out victorious. He was also able to fight off a Hunter at Area 51 and nearly won had Daniel Sousa not interfered.
Expert Tactician: To be added
Expert Marksman: Programmed with all of Phil Coulson's firing capabilities, the Chronicom LMD is able to fire just as well as the real version. After grabbing a Chronicom Rifle, Coulson was able to kill two Hunters with one shot each.
Equipment
Weapons
12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun: When Tillman threatened to kill Coulson and Alphonso Mackenzie with the shotgun unless they answered his questions, Coulson swiftly took the weapon after it fired on him, with no damage being done, and threatened to shoot him unless they spoke with his boss.
Thompson M1928: Providing Mackenzie and Deke Shaw backup, Coulson utilized the machine gun against the Chronicom Hunters before they retreated before their time window closed, with them following suit.
"What did you shoot me with?" "An I.C.E.R.. It hasn't been invented yet."
I.C.E.R.: Coulson used an I.C.E.R. to ice Daniel Sousa and take his place in his death to save his life.
M1911 Pistol: During his and Melinda May's infiltration of the Lighthouse to sabotage Project Insight's launch, Coulson utilized this pistol to defend himself, should they run into complications.
Cadillac Series 353: With two minutes left until Zephyr One jumped away, Coulson drove the Cadillac with his colleagues to the ship before it was to late.
Facilities
Prisons
Area 51: After Coulson and Jemma Simmons' cover was blown by Daniel Sousa, they were held in a holding cell until Daisy Johnson was able to secure their release. Not long after Coulson was shut down by an EMP blast, he awoke handcuffed to a table in a interrogation room, questioned by Sousa, before tricking him into thinking he was scientist assigned to help him deliver a S.H.I.E.L.D. invention to Howard Stark in Los Angeles.
Lighthouse: While trying to escape from the Lighthouse, Coulson and Melinda May were cornered and taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. The two were interrogated by Rick Stoner, before they escaped and saved him from being scanned and erased by the Chronicom Hunters.
Coulson claims his "dad jokes" are a glitch in his programming.
The "turtle on its back" question which Coulson presented to the Stern Woman to determine if she was a Chronicom in Alien Commies from the Future! originated from the Voight-Kampff test in Blade Runner, which was used to determine whether or not someone was a Replicant.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. uniforms that Coulson and Melinda May wore in 1976 were reminiscent of the classic costumes from the comics.
