#skyewardees

CBR: As far as you were concerned, once Hive was blown up in space, did that conclude your time on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?” Or did the producers indicate you could somehow be back for more?

Brett Dalton: As far as I knew, that was the end of my time on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” There’s always that open-door policy, but they’ve had that open-door policy for every one of our fallen agents — and it’s never quite come true. Deathlok, for instance. He never really died, but his storyline wasn’t picked up. The same with B.J. Britt; he died, and he was a fan favorite. There was always a hint of, “Well, you never know.” I’ve heard the line before, so I was like, “Sure, somewhere down the line. In comic books, no one ever really dies, but this may be something I am never going to see. Maybe in Season 5, I will be coming back.” So there was always a small hint, but I wasn’t sure it was actually going to play out.

When I got the call, it was very exciting news. However, I was working on my winter body and I didn’t know I had to don the jacket again. Honestly, scene one, day one, it was a shirtless scene. I had so many Christmas cookies, it was sheer panic. I basically starved myself and holed myself up in the gym for 10 days.

In terms of storytelling and Grant Ward, what does this Framework curveball allow the writers to explore?

At the end of the day, it’s their chance to hit the reset button on everyone’s storyline. It’s a cool opportunity to be part of it because I wasn’t ready to give up Grant Ward. Hive was OK. That was fun to get the chance to play another character within a network TV show, where I was already playing a character. It was a very cool opportunity for an actor. But, as a person and someone who also watches the show, I really liked Grant Ward’s storyline and wanted to see it continue.

What is so cool is, it’s like in the comic books where you have this alternate universe. It’s kind of Coulson, but it’s also not Coulson. He seems to be a teacher now and not affiliated with any spy organization. It’s kind of May – actually, it’s pretty close. She’s in a Hydra building instead of a S.H.I.E.L.D. building. Mack picking up a child’s bike – you see with all these people that they are those characters, but it’s a “What If” episode. It’s so cool because it’s a chance to explore all the fan theories and fan fiction. This is the place where all those things could be a possibility and for it to exist within the context of our show.

Paint a picture of the Framework and Hydra’s presence in it.

That speaks to a larger point about this new reality. Hydra won. We’re doing what that show “The Man in the High Castle” is doing. It’s an alternative history that affects the present and the future. It explores that idea of, Hydra won and it’s normal to see Hydra propaganda or Hydra-sponsored TV and news networks. It doesn’t have the stink on it anymore. For better or for worse, it’s kind of the norm.

One of Hydra’s posters hypes “Vigilance Against Inhumans. Safety for Humanity.” In what ways does Daisy/Skye’s super-human bloodline cause conflict with Ward in this reality?

It’s all a series of “who knows what and when?” That’s where the conflict really lies. You are right; the camera does zoom in on Skye and Ward seemingly in a happy relationship. But does Ward know her Inhuman status? Does Skye know her Inhuman status, because she’s waking up in this reality? Does that Skye, who woke up yesterday, know she is an Inhuman? All of those things are coming into play. That’s the real drama. As an organization, Hydra is against the Inhumans. Whether Ward knows – or is okay with it – these are all question marks. The answer to all of them is, “Maybe.”

Ward always gets into at least one major physical altercation per season. What can viewers expect to see in terms of action?

That is a good question. I will say this: I get to do something that I’ve been asking the producers to do for four years, and they finally gave it to me. You’ll get to see that when we come back in that first episode that brings us back into this world.

How many episodes are you slated for?

I’m in the Framework, so any, or every time they’re in the Framework, I’ll be there as well.

How much contact does Ward have with his other former teammates besides Daisy?

There’s a lot of interaction. What this does is, it’s a chance to interact in probably the most interesting ways. As I said, it’s kind of like hitting the reset button. I’ve shared scenes with people I would never have shared scenes with if Ward was still alive in the real world. It’s really cool. The other question is whether people in the Framework know they are in the Framework. It’s like we’re in the Matrix. Who has taken the red pill, and who has taken the blue pill? And knowing something doesn’t mean you believe it, either. That’s another interesting thing that plays out.

After being absent for the first half of Season 4, what’s it like returning to set and having the team back together?

It was fantastic. When they called me, it was like, “You had me at hello.” I love being on set, whatever particular story we are telling that week. I love the family we have there, and I think it translates. We have some rich chemistry that we get for free because of that. We still hang out. Here we are in the fourth season, hopefully, fingers crossed, a fifth season, and we’re all still super-good friends. We’re all really excited when we get to work together, and are still patting each other on the back. “That was great. That was the best take.” We’re still encouraging each other and keeping the ball in the air. And we’re a well-oiled machine at this point.

It’s great, too, because I’ve had a bit of a break. I’m coming in at this great time. In Season 1, 2 and 3, you would come back after a restful break and be like, “Oh, my God. We still have so much to shoot.” I got to come in with, “Hey guys. How are you doing?” It was this puppy energy. Hopefully, I injected a little energy into everything. It was just so fun to be back on set.

i don’t care if people say that Skyeward only exists in the framework. that this version of Ward is only in that universe. but that’s what it is, right? an alternate universe. what this pairing has in there, was all that could have been, even if Hydra is in the forefront. can you see how amazing that is?

even if Ward was recruited by Garrett, his loyalty is with Skye/Daisy. this is what Ward’s like for having her in his life, dude! like i said, all that could have been.

and even if this framework ends with Skye/Daisy not feeling the same for Ward, ‘coz realistically it’s difficult to have feelings for someone who’s different in the real world compared to the framework.. it still will bring out one of my fave tropes – UNREQUITED LOVE.

it doesn’t matter if she’ll love him back, they are on a mission here. let’s take note of that. but Ward doing everything to save Skye/Daisy? and all those scenes i’ve seen, it does feel like he’s going to sacrifice himself to save her, ok? i’m fine with that. it’s waaayyy better than how they’ve treated Ward’s story arc since season 1.

really sad to see people giving up on the fandom after the season 2 finale.. but i do understand their decision. i wish them well, and thank you for being in this crazy ride with me .. even the ones who may not know me but i highly regard their opinion and some [coughs] occasional outbursts.. :D 

though i’ve said it before, i came to tumblr coz of Skyeward. more than a year later, it’s not about only that anymore. still, i'm a Skyewardee, no doubt about that! yup, even after the finale. and i’m curious how it all pans out until the end of the series. honestly, i’ve never had a ship as complicated as them. though my other ships took at least 4 or 5 seasons before they end up together. they're not as complex as Skyeward. and season 2 just ended, i'm hoping AoS has a very long way to go. like that Lenny Kravitz song title goes: “It Ain’t Over, ‘til It’s Over”