Why is Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ignoring the Events of Avengers: Endgame?

It’s a common question among fans: why doesn’t Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. delve more into the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame? In reality, the series addresses some aspects of the battle but chooses to avoid others, which has led to speculation and curiosity. Let's explore the storylines and the reasons behind those choices.

SHIELD's Preparations Before the Snap

It’s true that most of the development and events in the show occur during the period of the Avengers' battle against Thanos. As the situation with Thanos escalates, SHIELD faces a series of challenges, including an alien invasion led by a powerful entity named Graviton. This invasion initially seems to be a result of Graviton being forewarned about Thanos's arrival.

Graviton, with his advanced knowledge, decides to take action to support the Avengers, particularly in their battle against Thanos. However, the situation becomes more complex when SHIELD discovers that using Graviton's powers to aid the Avengers could have catastrophic consequences. Ultimately, SHIELD manages to contain the situation by neutralizing Graviton and ensuring his peaceful end, all during the time before the snap.

This timeline aligns with the events of Avengers: Infinity War, where the battle took place over a relatively short period. The series would then transition to covering the aftermath, but due to the finite nature of the series, certain details were left out for the sake of storytelling and pacing.

Season Finale and Crossover References

The series finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. builds on the climactic event in Avengers: Endgame. In a poignant moment, the character Jedediah Fitz, also known as Lance, discovers a quantum tunnel that could potentially help the team escape the consequences of the events of Endgame. This was a reference to the quantum realm escape used by the Avengers but was not fully explored, as it was clear that the series was coming to an end.

The decision to avoid extensive references to the snap and other post-Endgame events can be attributed to the show’s approach to wrapping up its storyline. With the show’s audience already aware of the events in Endgame, the creators chose to focus on leaving some of the mysteries intact and giving the series a unique ending. This strategic choice allowed them to avoid diluting the impact of the original films.

Timeline Discrepancies and Alternate Timelines

Throughout the series, the narrative occasionally veers into alternate timelines, particularly after the characters began time-traveling after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Some elements of the show align with the two-year gap between Age of Ultron and Infinity War, but season 5 officially marked the end of the series’ connection to the MCU’s main timeline.

SHIELD's time-traveling and the concept of parallel universes introduced by the manipulation of the quantum realm make the series susceptible to different narrative possibilities. For example, the Avengers: Endgame storyline was acknowledged in a few episodes, specifically when Fitz mentions the use of the quantum tunnel. However, the show chose to focus on its own narrative arc, including the travels of Cloak and Dagger and the conclusion of other Netflix shows, such as Runaways.

These creative choices allowed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to maintain its unique identity while nodding to the broader universe of Marvel. The show’s ability to explore these elements has made it a fan favorite and a key element of the larger Marvel ecosystem.

In conclusion, while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. does reference the events of Avengers: Endgame, the show’s creators wisely chose to focus on its own narrative and maintain a unique direction within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This strategic storytelling has kept the show engaging and relevant, even as the larger series has evolved.