Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Writing on the Wall

"The Writing on the Wall" is the seventh episode of the second season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), revolving around the character of Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they hunt two killers: one a former friend and prisoner, the other with possible answers concerning Coulson's mysterious resurrection. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The episode was written by Craig Titley and directed by Vincent Misiano. Clark Gregg reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, and is joined by principal cast members Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, and Nick Blood. Brian Van Holt guest stars as a former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent resurrected by the same program that Coulson was. "The Writing on the Wall" originally aired on ABC on November 11, 2014, and according to Nielsen Media Research, was watched by 4.27 million viewers. The episode received a mostly positive critical response, with the conclusion of Phil Coulson's resurrection storyline, started in the pilot, and Grant Ward's story in the episode receiving praise, though those two points were also criticized by some.