‘Agents of SHIELD’ has been a target of criticism for years for its place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially when it comes to its last two seasons. Some viewers think that the series drifted away from the MCU after Season 5, but that’s not the case.
Between the show’s production limitations, its connections to the movies, and the explanation provided by its series finale, there is a strong argument that ‘Agents of SHIELD’ never simply walked away from MCU canon.
Season 5 And Season 6 Were Victims Of Timing
It’s possible that Season 5 is the clearest indication that the series was still very much connected to the MCU. The final episodes of the season took place alongside the events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, and Thanos and his invasion loomed in the background.
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The apparent lack of a widespread Snap among the main characters is often treated as a continuity error, but there’s a practical explanation. The creative team behind the show was operating with the assumption that this season would be the final, and they didn’t know if the show would be renewed for another season.
It was even more complicated for Season 6. ABC had already announced the season would premiere in January 2019, before ‘Avengers: Endgame’ hit theaters in April. Of course, the writers would not be able to reveal or develop their story around the five-year time jump in the movie without risking big spoilers. Expecting the show to reflect an event that its creators weren’t allowed to acknowledge is a little unfair.
Season 7 Didn’t Abandon The MCU Either
The discussion becomes more interesting in Season 7. The team goes through various eras of history, meets with other possible scenarios, and eventually branches off the timeline. On the surface, this could be the definitive departure from MCU continuity for the show. But the ending is a more complex one.
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The characters eventually find themselves in the same time period as before, reuniting with their former lives. They don’t necessarily exist outside the MCU because of their time-traveling exploits. There’s also a larger connection to take into account: The multiverse and branching timelines eventually became a part of Marvel’s own narrative.
Season 7 delved into concepts that would be further developed in the larger franchise. Ultimately, declaring Agents of SHIELD non-canon simply because its final seasons don’t perfectly match the movies ignores the circumstances behind its production.
The series faced the challenges of release timing, spoilers, and uncertain renewals. Its relationship with MCU canon may be complicated, but that’s very different from saying it abandoned canon altogether.
