Broken Promises

"Broken Promises" is the ninth episode of the fourth season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D., it follows Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they are attacked by a rogue Life Model Decoy (LMD). It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and acknowledges the franchise's films. The episode was written by Brent Fletcher and directed by Garry A. Brown, serving as the first in the second "pod" of episodes for the season, subtitled LMD. Clark Gregg reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, and is joined by series regulars Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Henry Simmons, and John Hannah. Recurring guest star Mallory Jansen portrays Aida, the LMD that attacks S.H.I.E.L.D. A second version of Aida is also introduced, with Jansen wearing a slightly different costume to highlight the change. Another storyline follows recurring guest star Parminder Nagra as Senator Ellen Nadeer and Manish Dayal as her brother Vijay. For this subplot, Henstridge had to learn a Southern American accent and film a rare action sequence for her character. "Broken Promises" originally aired on ABC on January 10, 2017, and was watched by 4.66 million viewers within a week of its release according to Nielsen Media Research. Critical response to the episode was mostly positive, with reviewers feeling the episode was a strong beginning to the LMD arc and praising the comedic performances of Simmons and guest star Natalia Cordova-Buckley. However, the Nadeer subplot received mixed responses, with some considering it to be a "step back" for the series. Plot After gaining control of the Darkhold, the Book of Sins, S.H.I.E.L.D. looks to destroy it to keep it from being used for evil. Agent Leo Fitz and Dr. Holden Radcliffe are sent to clear the memory of the android Aida they have built, as she has read the book. However, Aida's reading of the Darkholds secrets appears to have granted her sentience, she overpowers the pair. She then takes control of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s systems, and attacks the secret facility in search of the book.