EDITORIAL: Who is the "Clairvoyant" on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ?

EDITORIAL: Who is the "Clairvoyant" on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ?

After many plot twists and reveals on the April 1st episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Titled "End of the Beginning"), new facts were revealed about the team's mysterious enemy, the "Clairvoyant." With these new facts, new theories have arisen. Did we finally uncover the identity of the Clairvoyant? These are just some of my theories. (WARNING! SPOILERS FOR Captain American: The Winter Soldier. DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT IT RUINED FOR YOU)

Editorial Opinion
By MCott - Apr 02, 2014 05:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
First off, I would like to apologize for the short article.  This is the first editorial I've ever written.  People usually write out these long well thought opinion pieces.  This is rather short in comparison.

WARNING! Once again, there's SPOIERS ahead.

Recently, Marvels TV show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been on an a bit of a rise; it's getting better and better.  TheMarvel fans can see it and so can the haters.

Ever since his first mention, fans have been wondering who the team's enemy, the mysterious Clairvoyant, is.  As of this point, the three most popular fan theories have been M.O.D.O.K., an original villain created for the show, or the Leader.

However last night's episode (Tuesday April 1st) titled "End of the Beginning" revealed some new facts about the mystery entity.

Now, here's what we know:


*The show has recentl renamed itself Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D: Uprising.  This is only a temporary change.  The show's creators have said that every episode in the Uprising Story Arc (that's just my name for it) will directly tie into the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

*The Clairvoyant isn't a pyschic, he's a S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.  That's why he or she knows everything going on in S.H.I.E.L.D. operations; they have the clearance to know!  That's also why no one knows what happened to Coulson-- Fury refused to release the file to anyone (except possibly Maria Hill-- in the pilot, it was hinted that she knew what was going on).

*Going with the above information, we learn in Winter Soldier that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised.  I won't go any further than this, because we know what happens.

With this information, is it possible that new theories have started to arise about the identity of the Clairvoyant.  Well...I don't know.  I don't know the thought process of the masses of fans.  But with this new information, I have new theories about the Clairvoyant.



Theory 1. Victoria Hand

Let the record show, I'm not the biggest comic book fan, and I don't know what role she plays in the comics.

This theory comes from the episode "End of the Beginning."  This is one of the most likely scenarios-- at least in my opinion.  It also sort of goes with the idea that the Clairvoyant is original to the show.  We didn't see Victoria Hand until her debut in the show.

She's a high-ranking agent within S.H.I.E.L.D. and we often see her as the commander of certain missions.  So... she has the clearance, she knows the plans, and she knows where agents are going to be in the field.

But my biggest support from last week's episode as I said above... more specifically, it comes from the ending.  After May's secret phone line is discovered, Coulson and Skye confront her.  During this confrontation, the bus is hijacked, and Hand is ordering agents to wipe out everyone on it (except for Coulson, which she will take care of herself).  Is this a coincidence?  Nothing is ever a coincidence.

It's possible that (and this is pure speculation) that Hand realized Coulson was getting too close to the truth and she a threat that had to be eliminated.

Like I said, Victoria Hand, in my opinion, is the most likely candidate as the Clarivoyant.


Theory 2. Alexander Pierce

This one is a bit of a stretch.  But, remember how I said that the "Uprising" story arc was tied into Captain America: The Winter Soldier?  Well, why would they tie the Clairvoyant into S.H.I.E.L.D being compromised?

It's because the Clairvoyant is in on it!

Like I said, this one is a bit of a stretch to belive.  Why?  Because Pierce dies.  (If you ignored the SPOILER WARNINGS and you're still reading this, it's your own fault)




Theory 3. Dr. Arnim Zola

This one is more believable than theory 2 but not as believeable as theory 1.  However, this theory also its doubts.

In Winter Soldier, we learn Zola's consciousness has been uploaded into a computer.  He tells Romanoff and Rodgers that HYDRA has slowly been infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. since it founding after WWII.  Even though he's preserved on a very old computer in a S.H.I.E.L.D. bunker, how much does he really know?  Could he access and download S.H.I.E.L.D. files?

Like I said, this theory is also doubtful, because the bunker he was in was blown up.  But...was Zola destroyed?  Could he have uploaded his consciousness into another computer?  We don't know...yet.

But those are my three theories on the identity of the Clairvoyant.  Do you agree with my thoeies?  Do you disagree?  How about you tell me in your comments below.



As always, I thank you for taking the time to read, comment, and thumb my article.
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Tuuralihn
Tuuralihn - 4/2/2014, 5:54 PM
it's either Hand or Zola. That's my guess anyhow. Love the fact that AoS has become so much better.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/2/2014, 6:07 PM
"the Uprising Story Arc (that's just my name for it)"

That's actually exactly what it is, the uprising arc.

"he's a S.H.I.E.L.D. agents"

This is what Coulson believes, not what the writers have said. Coulson doesn't really know, but he's got a solid guess.

Zola still is it in my mind.

" But...was Zola destroyed? Could he have uploaded his consciousness into another computer? We don't know...yet."

I don't see how he could have. Unless someone invented some sort of...world...wide web or something? A way for all computers to talk to each other on some sort of internet. That's just my name for it.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/2/2014, 6:13 PM
"During this confrontation, the bus is hijacked, and Hand is ordering agents to wipe out everyone on it (except for Coulson, which she will take care of herself). Is this a coincidence? Nothing is ever a coincidence."

Also, it's hard to take much at face value when we've still got a solid handful of episodes before the season finale. May is most likely reporting directly to Fury, who had Coulson assemble this team in case exactly what happens in TWS happens. And Hand's reasons for taking the team out most likely have nothing to do with the Clairvoyant, but either way...she's not the end of the trail. She could easily be working with the Clairvoyant, along with all the other agents who are secretly Hydra, with Zola pulling the strings at the end.

And just FYI, Hand was actually a solid agent in the comics, but then came up when Osborn took over SHIELD and remade it as HAMMER. She essentially acted as his version of Maria Hill, until Osborn and the Dark Avengers were taken down. I believe she still served in SHIELD when Steve Rogers took over as director though. One of those villains who isn't really bad.
Humby
Humby - 4/2/2014, 6:24 PM
It won't be Pierce or Zola. As hard as Marvel is trying to tie this show into the films, they won't risk alienating fans of just one of those mediums. So the next few episodes won't spoil nor rely heavily on the events of the film. They will simply be related via parallel events/timeframe; the stories themselves won't cross over. The Clairvoyant search will continue well into the remaining episodes of this season, which presumably will be set after the events of TWS (although I wouldn't be surprised if next weeks episode is set during said film).

Hand is certainly possible, for all we know, but I think it is more likely that she is either just another Hydra sleeper agent, or they will just play her out as a no-bs-hard-hitting bit*h. I'm leaning more towards the latter.

One thing I would like to point out, is that we do not necessarily KNOW that the Clairvoyant is a Shield agent. The team just seems to think so, and evidence strongly supports it. But nothing concrete as of yet. It could be someone with a similar skillset to Skye, who is capable of hacking Shield. Or it could be someone working for Hydra who has been getting his information from the many sleeper agents. Or it could be someone completely unrelated, whose timing just so happened to coincide with these major events in the MCU. Either way, well soon find out, and I can't wait!
Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 4/2/2014, 6:26 PM
Pretty sure it's Zola. Maybe Von Steucker
WYLEEJAY
WYLEEJAY - 4/2/2014, 6:37 PM
I would like them to clarify when the movies take place now. Obviously Thor TDW takes place before Captain America TWS. Cause of the tie in episodes. When does Iron Man 3 take place? The problems with SHIELDs infrastructure could explain why they weren't there to help in Iron Man 3. Seems like there were problems before the show even started. Nick Fury was acting sketchy from the beginning.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/2/2014, 7:03 PM
Iron Man 3 was six months after Avengers I think, then Thor was was a year after Avengers, and TWS is 2 years after Avengers.
GinjaNinja
GinjaNinja - 4/2/2014, 7:20 PM
MODOK could be using arnim zolas algorithem or however it is to crack all of shield.
Cles
Cles - 4/2/2014, 7:34 PM
I still believe it's General Ross. He makes the most sense to me.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/2/2014, 8:09 PM
Some "facts" given about the clairvoyant:

- The Clairvoyant's identity is revealed in CA:TWS. He has past links with Captain America, SHIELD, and Bucky. He has been working behind the scenes in SHIELD for decades.

- The organization which the Clairvoyant belongs to is also revealed, and this opens up opportunities for Marvel to introduce other well-known characters pertaining to that organization from the comic books.

- Nick Fury predicted that the Clairvoyant would try to bring down SHIELD from the inside, and tasked Coulson with creating an independent unit (the team on Agents of SHIELD) which could go off-grid when the time came.

Hand and Ross don't fit that. Zola completely fits.
Humby
Humby - 4/2/2014, 8:31 PM
@ruadh

Have you seen the movie/are those actual facts? I admit I haven't seen the movie yet, but from what I've read there are no actual or direct references to the clairvoyant, just fan assumptions.

(^After reading what I just wrote, it sounds aggressive, it's not meant to be. I'm just curious what you know. I can't wait two more days! haha)

It suppose could be Zola (from what I've heard about his 'role' in the movie) but unless the movie actually refers to him as "the clairvoyant," I find it hard to believe that AoS will play directly off of his appearance and assume that fans of the show have seen the movie. Just my opinion though, and I could certainly be wrong.
Wallymelon
Wallymelon - 4/2/2014, 8:47 PM
The film doesn't need to reference the clairvoyant at all. It was a name Edison Po gave Zola to hide him. Just has to reveal a character that is trying to bring down Sheild with access to files. That sounds like Zola. It could be an actual agent. It could be Strucker. I think it's anyone in Hydra
GageHarts
GageHarts - 4/2/2014, 8:51 PM
I've thought it was Zola ever since I read the first review of TWS
ruadh
ruadh - 4/2/2014, 9:08 PM
@Humby

I haven't seen the movie, just read SOME spoilers. And didn't take it as aggressive but it was a fair question! :)

Those facts were taken from an article on this site in the last month. Didn't save the article, just copied & pasted the list for myself.

"I find it hard to believe that AoS will play directly off of his appearance and assume that fans of the show have seen the movie."

Intellectually, I completely agree. It doesn't make sense to write a plot that relies on such a serious assumption that the audience will have seen the other work. BUT...how many people are there really who watch AOS that won't be seeing Cap 2? Four? Maaaaaybe five? I rarely go to the movies anymore, mostly due to my kids, but Cap 2 is something I'm seeing opening weekend for sure. And even aside from that, the rest of the season, and most definitely the second season, is going to be completely affected by the events of Cap 2.

It's comparable to having a show based off the assumption that everyone saw Avengers. No, it's not something you should assume...but it's a pretty safe bet.
WYLEEJAY
WYLEEJAY - 4/2/2014, 9:55 PM
Lol. What sucks....is my weekends booked. So I wont have time to see the movie this weekend. That means I cant watch next weeks episode until I manage to watch the movie.
:(
Alphadog
Alphadog - 4/2/2014, 11:48 PM
Zola created an algorithym that allows him to predict future events and prevent attacks on Hydra by eliminating possible threats. That sounds like the clairvoyant to me.
Alphadog
Alphadog - 4/2/2014, 11:50 PM
He's in a computer so he doesn't like being touched because he's vulnerable and nobody would do anything for him if that were so. It also explains many other things.
kinghulk
kinghulk - 4/3/2014, 12:04 AM
i think the clairvoyant is Zola and i also believe that zola's algorithm will evolve into ultron.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/3/2014, 12:16 AM
"and i'm already ruling out Hand, just cuz it's too obvious from last episode ( which is a cheap reason, but true, i think )"

Not at all. It's totally valid, and correct.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 4/3/2014, 12:49 AM
I think it's Zola or maybe even MODOK. I think that's who it could be but it's just a speculation.
Baka
Baka - 4/3/2014, 4:07 AM
I think it could be a derivative of Zola or a sub routine codenamed MODOK
BaronZemo
BaronZemo - 4/3/2014, 5:11 AM
The Winter Soldier Spoiler!
















Zola is back bitches!!!!!!!! And it's him.










BaronZemo
BaronZemo - 4/3/2014, 5:18 AM
Spoiler!


Oh, you have seen the movie. Lol. But it seems like you haven't been concentrated. Zola examinated EVERYONE's past because Shield has everyone's files and knows everything. So he evaluates their past and this way he predicts their future. And if they look like they are going to be a menace for Shield they get killed by the insight programm? Where you paying attention?
Pasto
Pasto - 4/3/2014, 6:11 AM
It's not Pierce. let me go ahead and tell you that. I've seen Cap: TWS, it is not Pierce.
ruadh
ruadh - 4/3/2014, 7:50 AM
"examinated" sounds fatal.
Peel
Peel - 4/3/2014, 8:38 AM
I really hope it is Zola and that he did survive the explosion in Winter Soldier, he was such a great villain. Hopefully he'll appear as well in CA3.
fortycals
fortycals - 4/3/2014, 10:18 AM
Spoilers


A key piece I think you're missing is that zola and the zola algorithm are 2 different things. Personally I think it has something to do with one or the other. Either is someone using the algorithm or zola himself. If it's someone using the algorithm, it could be anyone or group introduced or not. I lean more towards zola himself. Key reason is, it's been stated that no one has ever seen him(cause he exist on a digital level only) he only communicates through tech. Also his motivation to find out about coulsons resurrection would serve double (for an army and hisself)
wookiefit
wookiefit - 4/3/2014, 12:05 PM
I'm still thinking Agent Sitwell.
wookiefit
wookiefit - 4/3/2014, 12:06 PM
MCott
MCott - 4/3/2014, 12:30 PM
This is just an afterthought. I didn't think of this until after I published the article.

Last time AOS cross-over into the MCU (Both episodes involved Thor: The Dark World), they had unique plots related to the events of the movie (in fact, one of these episodes has the team on cleanup duty). We know the Uprising story arc will involve events of The Winter Soldier. But...and here's the kicker...unlike the episodes that followed Thor: TDW, the Uprising story arc is not its own story. It's still following the Centipede/Clairvoyant story arc. Which means that TWS plays a part (big or small, we don't know yet) in what is to come in AOS
MCott
MCott - 4/3/2014, 12:34 PM
@ruadh It's not Hand because it's too obvious? I kinda agree and disagree with you on that. I mean, I like to think it's Hand if the Clairvoyant is a show-specific villain.
DEVLIN712
DEVLIN712 - 4/3/2014, 12:51 PM
Nice write up, I think it's down to Zola's AI or Hand. Don't think they can afford Reford on the small screen
ruadh
ruadh - 4/3/2014, 1:02 PM
@MCott
"It's not Hand because it's too obvious? I kinda agree and disagree with you on that. I mean, I like to think it's Hand if the Clairvoyant is a show-specific villain."

It's too obvious when you think about how to write a show, and there's several episodes left. Hand as the Clairvoyant is a red herring teased at the end of an episode long before the season finale. If it was the season finale, or the penultimate episode, then yeah...I wouldn't be so quick to argue. There's still a handful of episodes left though, so they are most likely going to be throwing a few deadends along the way to trick the audience.

In fact, I'd be willing to bet that anyone that is a viewer's first guess as to the clairvoyant's real identity is wrong at this point.

Otherwise, if they're really giving solid clues about the clairvoyant's identity when the season still has another month or so...why would the audience continue to watch? Everyone figured out it was Hand, now they can go back to NCIS instead.
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