Travel back to an earlier – but not so innocent – time in the opening sequence of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, episode 21.
Though the knuckle-whitening preview for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, episode 21 made it clear that part of the episode will include flashbacks, the newly-released opening sequence demonstrates that the show will waste no time before going back in time.
The new sneak peek from the episode, titled “Ragtag,” shows fans a pivotal day in the unhappy, angst-ridden, and incarcerated adolescence of HYDRA agent Grant Ward.
In the flashback, young Grant is led in to meet an unexpected visitor. The man is John Garrett (Bill Paxton), who has heard of Ward’s recent escapades – running away from military school, stealing a car, driving a thousand miles to his home… and trying to burn it down. Garrett is impressed, though Grant claims that he did not know that his brother was in the house at the time.
Garrett believes that about as much as we do, and offers Grant a literal get-out-of-jail card – though it isn’t free.
“I work for a secret organization that’s always looking to recruit young men like you,” Garrett says. But he warns Grant not to trust him. “Going with me will be the hardest thing you’ve ever done,” Garrett warns. “But on the other hand, no one will ever screw with you again.”
At Garrett’s urging, young Grant agrees to go with him. Instantly, guards rush in and force the other young prisoners to the floor – but not Grant.
Check out another, more light-hearted sneak peek from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, episode 21, along with the preview and stills from the episode. The official synopsis for “Ragtag” says:
In the last episode before the epic season finale, Ward’s betrayal and HYDRA’s shocking secrets are revealed as Coulson’s team goes undercover on a mission that leaves no one unscathed.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, episode 21, “Ragtag,” will air on Tuesday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.