‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ First Look: #Philinda at Last??

Consummating a “will they or won’t they” relationship has been the death knell of many a great show. How do you give fans what they want, while at the same time not ruining the tension that makes the relationship entertaining? Well, if you’re Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you break out the LMDs and let things get real creepy.

As we learned last episode, May absolutely has feelings for Coulson and, now that her husband is out of the picture, a romance is a real possibility. Unfortunately, Dr. Radcliffe has decided that a May1231231111111123-Coulson romance forwards his own agenda of retrieving the Darkhold, so he programs May’s robot doppelgänger to make it happen.

Related: See the Coolest Props from ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’

In the exclusive clip above, May is unusually forward, suggesting that she and Coulson take a vacation to Ireland. Obviously, that’s Radcliffe’s programming, but it’s also the sort of thing someone whose nickname is “The Cavalry” would do. What will happen once the LMD is uncovered and the real May returns? Will Coulson ever be able to be intimate with someone after being completely suckered by an evil copy? After three and a half seasons, we’ll almost certainly get to #Philinda (yay!), but it will be between a guy and an unwilling robot (boo!)? Be careful what you wish for, fans…

In a joint statement, executive producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen weighed in on the move to bring the couple together: “It’s been an ongoing debate for some time now — will they, won’t they? Given their history, and everything they’ve been through together — and the fact that May is now an android — maybe it’s their moment.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC. Watch clips and full episodes of MAOS on Yahoo View.