The team’s race against time peaks in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10, and we have a few hints for the events of “Past Life.”

The Emperor is mad

After Sinara’s rather abrupt death in last week’s episode, it’s finally time for Kasius to take his place as the Big Bad in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10. And if you thought this wannabe deity responded poorly when his pretensions to God-hood were rejected by the lowly humans, believe me — you ain’t seen nothing yet.

“Past Life” goes full-on Caligula crazy with Kasius, so extremely that it would be funny if it weren’t straight-up freaky. Kasius’ already grand monologues are cranked up to eleven, peppered with random acts of violence and more than one diabolical plot. But will Kasius’s rage lead him to fiddle fruitlessly while the team burns the Lighthouse around him, or do his plans have sharper edges than we previously thought?

‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ goes ‘Walking Dead’

A subtly-referenced element makes its proper debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10, and quickly presents a bloody new challenge for our agents. But that’s not the only part of this episode that recalls the motifs of The Walking Dead. In addition to the violence, “Past Life” makes full use of its title and takes the time to contemplate the fallout for those who return to life from death — a conversation that has wider relevance than we might initially think.

Deke makes a stand

Whatever you think of the (somewhat half-heartedly) enigmatic Deke, “Past Life” will give you a new perspective. Deke has spent the first half of this season being dragged kicking and screaming along with the agents’ adventures, but in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10, he finally stands up and makes a solid choice of his own.

In doing so, Deke profoundly effects the events of this week’s episode, as well as the story going forward. It’s a refreshing development for the character, but don’t worry; there is still plenty of mystery left hanging around this scruffy-looking nerf herder to satisfy the most speculative of fans.

Seer sights

Here’s one mystery that won’t linger for long, though. The identity and circumstances of Kasius’ recently-mentioned “Seer” are integral to the events of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10, and the consequences are truly breathtaking. Yes, there is an unexpected clarity cast on the confounding problem of the timeline (future? past? time loop? destiny? WHAT?) but there is also a marvelous emotional fallout. This is territory that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has never visited, and the show pulls off a challenging development with grace, sensitivity… and revelations that will leave your heart pounding.

Coulson has an idea

Our prime director of S.H.I.E.L.D. has kept things on the down-low over the past few episodes, mostly content to follow his team’s logical plans and bark out decisive orders. But “Past Life” isn’t playing like that anymore. With the team so close to achieving their goal of building a magical monolith to travel backwards in time and save the planet, Coulson snaps back into Executive Decision Mode.

And boy, does he execute those decisions. Boy, oh boy, oh boy.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5×10, “Past Life,” airs Friday, Feb. 2 at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.