- "You either rise up in protest, or you fall down in chains."
- ―Ruben Mackenzie[src]
Ruben Mackenzie is the younger brother of Alphonso Mackenzie who became tempted to join the Watchdogs as both his fear of the Inhumans and frustration with his brother grew. However, when Ruben discovered that his brother was an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., he found himself a target of the Watchdogs and rethought his views.
Biography
Early Life
- "They get what I'm going through. You don't."
- ―Ruben Mackenzie to Alphonso Mackenzie[src]
Ruben Mackenzie grew up with his older brother Alphonso, who he always got along with as the two brothers shared an interest for motorbikes and mechanics. They even planned to do a trip to Baja California, but Alphonso never found an occasion to join his brother. Indeed, unbeknownst to Ruben, Alphonso worked as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, but pretended to be a simple insurance agent. Ruben on his side found a job, but he was eventually fired.
Following his dismissal, Ruben had trouble making ends meet, caught between his debts and the mortgage of the family home. While browsing the Internet, he found pieces of the Watchdogs propaganda and progressively became convinced that the anti-Inhumans hate group was right in its fight against the government.[1]
The Truth Revealed
Ruben and Alphonso Mackenzie spend some time together
- "I know it's a lot to take in, but we if we could talk about it..."
"Oh, sure. Now you want to talk. I can't believe you, helping those freaks." - ―Alphonso Mackenzie and Ruben Mackenzie[src]
Ruben and Alphonso spent some time together in the family home. While watching the news, they saw the images of the Attack on the ATCU Headquarters perpetrated by the Watchdogs, an act Ruben found amazing. Following the attack, Alphonso declared that he had to go for a few hours, much to Ruben's disappointment as they had planned to work on their motorbikes.
Ruben reveals his support for the Watchdogs
Ruben remained alone in the house, drinking beers while awaiting his brother. When Alphonso finally got back, the two brothers began arguing and Ruben brought up his money issues. Alphonso suspected that Ruben had asked Alphonso to join him to request money, something Ruben bluntly denied. Ruben then voiced his arguments against the government responsible for his situation and revealed that he supported the Watchdogs before angrily leaving.
Ruben later came back after calming down and worked on his bike while Alphonso left again for his job. Having completed the repairs on his bike, Ruben rode to Easterling Farms in order to apologize to his brother for his behavior. However, Ruben arrived in the middle of a S.H.I.E.L.D. raid and witnessed his brother working with an Inhuman. Disgusted, Ruben went back to the family home, where Alphonso joined him. The two brothers had another argument during which Ruben discovered that his brother was working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and protecting Inhumans.
Attacked by the Watchdogs
- "Looks like the Watchdogs followed us. I guess now we're the ones being hunted."
"But we're not..."
"Inhumans? It doesn't matter. Your new heroes will still kill us." - ―Alphonso Mackenzie to Ruben Mackenzie[src]
While Ruben and Alphonso were arguing, however, a group of five Watchdogs came to their home to assassinate Alphonso, who they thought to be an Inhuman. Although Ruben could not believe that the Watchdogs would kill them both, he agreed to follow his brother's command.
Ruben and Alphonso Mackenzie fight against the Watchdogs
Ruben and Alphonso tried to make their way to the kitchen, where they could exit the house. On the way, Alphonso shot a Watchdog and reclaimed his weapon so that Ruben could defend himself. However, Ruben had no experience with guns whatsoever and asked Alphonso to talk him through it, which Alphonso briefly did. Then, they found another couple of Watchdogs, and while Alphonso knocked his opponent unconscious, Ruben managed to keep the other at bay.
Ruben and Alphonso Mackenzie prepare to fight the remaining Watchdogs
They eventually reached the kitchen, but Alphonso spotted two Watchdogs guarding the door outside. Before they could figure out a plan, another criminal attacked and shot Alphonso in the shoulder before aiming at Ruben. Ruben screamed but Alphonso took the Watchdog down. As the two remaining Watchdogs were trying to break in the house, Alphonso crafted a first version of the Shotgun-Axe. When the thugs finally entered, Ruben knocked one out while the other was shot by Alphonso.
With the Watchdogs being defeated, Daisy Johnson joined the Mackenzie brothers. While Ruben saw his brother being taken by an ambulance, Johnson told him that his brother was a good person and that she fully trusted him. Ruben eventually figured out that his brother did not protect only the Inhumans, but also everyone else as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
Personality
- "Work buddies come and go. Now, family, they're the ones you can't get rid of. Even if they set up a roadside stand and tried selling you off to strangers."
"You were an awkward kid." - ―Ruben Mackenzie and Alphonso Mackenzie[src]
Although Ruben shares an interest for motorbikes with his brother Alphonso, the two brothers are different in several aspects. Ruben tends to be more playful and impulsive than his older brother, as well as more impulsive. However, much like Alphonso, Ruben has a great sense of duty towards his family.
Ruben also somewhat had a dark side after he fell for the Watchdogs propaganda which made him believe that all his money issues where due to the government. He was positively amazed by the Watchdogs attacking an ATCU facility and thought that the Inhumans were no more than freaks. However, his views on the matter eventually softened when Ruben himself became a collateral target for the Watchdogs.
Equipment
- "You ever use one of these before?"
"An assault rifle?"
"Yeah."
"No. Obviously, you have. Talk me through it." - ―Alphonso Mackenzie and Ruben Mackenzie[src]
- Colt M4A1: While he was being attacked by the Watchdogs, Ruben picked up an assault rifle from one of the attackers and used it to shoot at another Watchdog, missing him, but still managing to briefly keep him at bay.
Relationships
Family
- Father
- Mother
- Alphonso Mackenzie - Brother
- Hope Mackenzie † - Niece
Allies
Enemies
Appearances
In chronological order:
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Season Two
- S.O.S. Part One (mentioned)
- Season Three
- Watchdogs
- Failed Experiments (mentioned)
- Season Four
- Broken Promises (mentioned)
- Season Two
Gallery
