Oh Mutant Enemy, you’ve done it again! Just when I thought you were growing soft with age by not completely snuffing out Fitz and Simmons’ romance last week before it had a chance to begin, you’ve gone and broken our hearts again. Socking us in the collective jaw when we weren’t looking… There’s more spoilers ahead than usual in a S.H.I.E.L.D. review, so if you haven’t watched “Devils You Know” yet, get on it. I’ll wait.

Still here? Okay then! Hands up, anyone who thought May and Andrew were at least going to reconcile before parting ways for good? I know mine’s raised. Since we only just learned last week that Ward had Baron Strucker’s offspring enrolled in the good Doctor Garner’s university class in order to keep tabs on him, I figured we’d at least be in for some kind of hostage situation somewhere down the road. Perhaps after the little brat had befriended the Doc, won his confidence, and snatched his S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel files? But to simply corner him in a convenience store with a switchblade and a gas tank? That’s pretty damn cruel, even by the standards of the production company that killed off such fan favorites as Tara, Anya, Cordelia, Fred, Wesley, Book, and Wash.

Even worse, we learned that Andrew’s martyrdom was all for naught! Sure, Hunter put a bullet in Ward’s shoulder after he ordered May’s ex’s termination, but that’s little more than a slap on the wrist to the man who tortured Bobbi within an inch of her life. There’s something almost Shakespearean to the note of tragedy on which “Devils You Know” ends. With May staring down Hunter, pouring all the guilt in the world into the impulsive fool. If the much talked-about S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off with Hunter and Bobbi does still happen, it can’t happen too soon. Because from here on out I’m gonna fear for the British bad boy’s life any time he’s anywhere near May.

Did other stuff happen in this episode? Er, I guess so. Rosalind and Coulson are still flirting, baiting each other with secrets and half-promises, just like any other new lovers. Daisy, as expected, is none too happy about this, demanding to known what the ACTU director is doing with the Inhumans she’s catching. Though it’s doubtful Rosalind’s that much more diabolical than Coulson, who risked the life of a new Inhuman, Charlotte, to find Lash—a.k.a the big bad beast who’s been butchering the race of powered people (created by Matt Fraction, Charles Soule, and Joe Madureira, the character first appeared in June 2014’s Inhuman #1). Simmons, meanwhile, was finally ready to come clean with Fitz about what happened to her during her time on the Kree planet. And she’s asking him to help her go back there. (Hey, as second dates go, I’ve had worse.)

As much as I don’t want to get my hopes up, I gotta admit that, since I was raised on superhero comics, there’s a part of me that refuses to believe anyone’s dead in the Marvel Universe unless we see their body blown to atoms. (Even then, there’s a chance for a reboot.) So the fact that we only see Andrew’s feet before that convenience store explodes, well… No, I mustn’t. For down that path lies madness. I’ve got to accept the fact that the one bright spot in May’s life, the one thing that made her more human than machine, is gone. Without it, there’s no telling what she’s capable of. A bit of advice for Coulson (who’s responsible for letting Hunter go after Ward in the first place): watch your back.

Declassified Deliberations

• Does the name Dwight Frye sound familiar? He was the actor who played Renfield in the original Bela Lugosi-starring Dracula, as well as the hunchback lab assistant Fritz in the Boris Karloff-starring Frankenstein. In both films, Frye played a toadie for powerful, destructive men. Much like the role his namesake plays in this story.
• Ron Underwood, the director of Tremors, helms this episode, and does an excellent job of it. Even if Daisy only has an opportunity to cause a couple of minor tremors of her own.
• “I’m not merciful. I’m necessary.”
• Why does Daisy get a Black Widow costume to wear in the field while Mack sports a simple jacket and utility slacks? Last season Bobbi wore a similar jumpsuit while Hunter dressed for an afternoon of paintball. Is S.H.I.E.L.D. only issuing skin-tight uniforms these days to its female agents?
• “We’ve got about nineteen Agent Johnsons on our side. Though none that can take down a building.” Ah, so that’s why Rosalind is so interested in our Quake.
• Rosalind tells Coulson she likes it when he gets tough. Then he threatens Frye. Rent a room, people!
• “Be careful. It’s got laser finger.”

What did you think of this week’s episode? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter (@JMaCabre).

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Images: ABC