'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Exclusive Sneak Peek: Talk to the Hand

On January 7, “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” comes back from its midseason hiatus with a bang. From the previews, it looks like we may finally learn about Agent Coulson's time in “Tahiti” and get an explanation for how he came back from Loki killing him in “The Avengers.”
In the exclusive sneak peek above from the episode called “The Magical Place” (Coulson frequently mentions that Tahiti is a “magical place”), Coulson has gone missing, and Skye's attempts at tracking him are being shut down by Victoria Hand. Ward backs Skye, but May sells her out, giving Hand the excuse she needs to kick Skye off the plane.
[Photos: Check Out 'Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Season 1 Pics]
Victoria Hand first appeared several episodes back as the director of The Hub — when she sent Ward and Fitz off on a mission without an extraction plan — so that makes it twice in a row now where her primary objective appears to be abandoning S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives. Is it a clumsy bureaucrat move, or is it just payback for zapping Agent Sitwell? Maybe she has something even more malevolent in mind?
"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." returns with all-new episodes Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. on ABC.