A briefly but deeply loved character may be returning from the dead on an upcoming episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
According to Marvel, the incomparable Lucy Lawless will be reprising her role as Agent Isabelle Hartley in an episode airing on March 31. Brash, funny, and deeply loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D., the character made an immediate impression in the season 2 premiere of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – but unfortunately, Hartley found herself on the show’s mounting list of casualties.
As fans will recall, Isabelle Hartley was very nearly the first victim of the then-mysterious Obelisk, almost turning to stone before Hunter amputated her arm. Unfortunately her bravery appeared to be in vain, as the agent was killed when Carl Creel stole the Obelisk back for Hydra.
Hartley’s near-immediate demise made Lawless’s casting seem like something of a “Gotcha!” on the part of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but now it seems that the show may have had a longer arc in mind for Hartley. Admittedly, it’s hard to imagine just how the agent will be revived satisfactorily – the show made a point of showing her funeral, often TV code for “Stick a fork in her, she’s done.”
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Of course, it’s always possible that Lawless will just appear in a non-living capacity – a flashback or a video clip, for example. But the rules have definitely been changing on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. recently – Skye has earthquake powers, the Universe is shifting, and the Kree are totally a thing now. We won’t give up hope that these changes will allow Xena Hartley to walk amongst the living once again.
Speaking of changes, ABC promises quite a shift in the status-quo in Lawless’s episode, ominously titled “One Door Closes.”
“War comes to Coulson’s doorstep in a way he never anticipated as shocking revelations are brought to light,” ABC flat-out warns. “And Skye struggles to control her new abilities but will soon make a decision that irrevocably changes her life.”
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 2, episode 13, “One of Us,” airs on Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.