The Siege of the HYDRA Broadcasting Center was a successful attempt by S.H.I.E.L.D. to break into the facility where The Bakshi Report was being broadcast and reveal HYDRA's ulterior motives to the world.
Background
- "Getting this footage out isn't enough to make up for what I did in HYDRA, but it's a start."
- ―Melinda May[src]
After the Patriot's death and the loss of their leader during the Infiltration into the HYDRA Enlightenment Cultivation Center, S.H.I.E.L.D. struggled to find another way to fight against HYDRA and to keep the resistance active.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was offered an opportunity when Melinda May, who had taken part in the battle at the HYDRA Enlightenment Cultivation Center and learned about the forced indoctrination of children, defected from HYDRA and freed Daisy Johnson before joining S.H.I.E.L.D. She provided them with the footage of the body cam she had used during the infiltration, which showed the imprisoned children escaping the facility and the Patriot saving them. S.H.I.E.L.D. decided to broadcast this footage in order to plant the seeds of a massive rebellion against HYDRA.[1]
Siege
Daisy Johnson, Phil Coulson and Melinda May attack the HYDRA Broadcasting Center
- "We're good to go out here. No one's putting up a fight."
"Yes, but we will. If you think you can force me, Sunil Bakshi, to go on air and slander HYDRA, then you're delusional." - ―Grant Ward and Sunil Bakshi[src]
While Sunil Bakshi was getting a final touch of makeup before going on air and offering to take one of her coworkers to a furniture store, Daisy Johnson stormed the HYDRA Broadcasting Center alongside with Grant Ward, Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Burrows and some other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. They seized the operating room of the studio and tied up all the present staff, ordering them to stay quiet. Bakshi tried to resist and told them that he would never go on air and deliver a message against HYDRA, but quickly changed his mind after Johnson used her powers on him. However, Johnson declared that they did not need him to do anything.
May helped Coulson getting suited up for their broadcasting, sharing a strange impression of déjà vu. Coulson voiced some anxiety at the idea of going on air but May told him to simply tell the truth. Meanwhile, Johnson set the television equipment in order to broadcast their video. She tried to hack into the computer systems in order to keep HYDRA from cutting the feed but could not do so. As a result, Ward offered to stay behind in order to make sure that the feed would not been interrupted. Johnson was reluctant at the idea but Ward insisted, mentioning his real-life counterpart and saying that he wanted to do the right thing. He also asked if he would see the Skye he used to know after Johnson's departure, but Johnson could not tell him for sure.
Phil Coulson on the S.H.I.E.L.D. subversive broadcast
Afterwards, Coulson and May came and told Ward and Johnson that they were done and good to go. Coulson, May and Johnson left while Ward and Burrows stayed behind, defending the HYDRA Broadcasting Center. After they left, Ward launched the broadcasting and a subversive message featuring Coulson was emitted in lieu of the propagandist Bakshi Report[1].
Aftermath
Burrows informs Grant Ward that the rebellion has begun
- "There are people outside. [...] I think they're here to help us fight."
- ―Burrows to Grant Ward[src]
Following the broadcasting of the subversive video, S.H.I.E.L.D. successfully triggered a rebellion against HYDRA. While the broadcast was still on air, people came to the HYDRA Broadcasting Center in order to help S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to hold the place and fight HYDRA.[1] The rebellion gained more and more importance, ultimately causing mayhem inside the Triskelion itself.[2]
- "People are staring at us."
"No, they're staring at you. That's what happens when you go on TV calling for revolution. You're now the face of the Resistance." - ―Phil Coulson and Melinda May[src]
Additionally, Phil Coulson became a prominent member of S.H.I.E.L.D. after his featuring in the broadcast, which led to him being considered the new face of the rebellion.[3]