'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.': Clark Gregg Introduces Sneak Peek Featuring New Secret Warrior, Talks Hydra and #Coulsalind

Welcome back to a Marvel Universe positively rife with superpowers. Terrigen-tainted fish oil means we’ll be seeing a lot more gifted and enhanced people in the last half of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s third year. We’ve got an exclusive look at the show’s midseason return — featuring the introduction of Secret Warrior, Slingshot — and some tidbits about upcoming episodes from star Clark Gregg.

Bobbi, Lance, and Mack are in the field tracking down an Inhuman. “That strike team,” along with Daisy, says Gregg, “are constantly out,” looking for people with newly-emergent superpowers. “They have to neutralize, contain, or put down [these people] because they’re an evil Inhuman or someone that they seek to make a Secret Warrior.” There’s also a fun exchange where we learn that Lance may have experimented a little, much to the surprise and chagrin of Bobbi and Mack.

The Inhuman they’re following is Yo-Yo Rodriguez, aka Slingshot. Though there’s no guarantee that the show will follow the arc of the comic, she is one of the original core members of the Secret Warriors, so we’ll probably be seeing a lot more of her.

“There’s definitely an us versus them dynamic that gets going in the back half of this season,” says Gregg. “Part of [Coulson’s] job is about containing and neutralizing Inhumans,” and that puts a rift between him and Daisy, who wants to believe the best of her people — even the ones trying to kill her. “I don’t think he sees Inhumanity as inherently evil, but it put him in a funky position with Daisy and the other Inhumans.”

Related: Get Caught Up With Our ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Recaps

Not only is S.H.I.E.L.D. dealing with superhumans popping up everywhere, but Gideon Malick (Powers Boothe) also remains a threat — a level of threat comparable to Alexander Pierce (played by Robert Redford in The Winter Soldier). “He represents a huge comeback for [Hydra],” says Gregg ruefully. And then there’s Ward.

Coulson is a changed man after killing Grant Ward on the alien planet of Maveth, though, “I don’t think he knows how yet.” Gregg says he likes that it was written as both an intentional act and an impulsive one fueled by pain and anger. “Either way he’s crossed a line that I don’t think he’s comfortable with,” and the fact that both he and Fitz hide this secret from the rest of the team, “will slowly lead to some kind of confrontation.”

Related: Brett Dalton Prepares Us for ‘Ward 2.0’ on 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’

Then there’s the matter of what happens when they find out that Ward is back from the dead. “Coulson’s very much, 'Of course, of course. This is what I did; this is what I deserve.'” Gregg says that Ward’s return stirs up feelings of both surprise and resignation. “'Oh really, it’s a world-eating creature who may be the source of Hydra and its logo? Of course, that’s exactly what I deserve to have created.'”

And what about the late, lamented #Coulsalind? The pairing of Constace Zimmer’s Rosalind Price and Phil Coulson played to the strengths of both the actors involved, creating an atmosphere of dry-as-a-bone wit and charm that grounded the show emotionally as the action grew more chaotic around them. “There is no replacing Constance Zimmer,” groans Gregg. “We’re all heartbroken she’s not around — me more than anybody. The guy does not have a very satisfying love life. I don’t know what he’s going to do right now. He’s a lonely, angry, tremendously-skilled special ops monk who’s grieving.” Hydra had better watch out.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns Tuesday, March 8 at 8 p.m. on ABC.