Despite his insistence that the pathogen's effects cannot be reversed, Radcliffe agrees to work with Fitz and Jemma Simmons to find a way to cure the Primitives, while the rest of S.H.I.E.L.D. focuses on locating Hive's acolytes and the warhead. While Fitz (having just found Mack's mislaid crucifix) ensures Hive is secure, Giyera remotely detonates a gas bomb smuggled into the Playground, which releases the pathogen into the hangar, transforming five agents into Primitives. Fitz escapes but the Primitives free Hive, who seizes the Zephyr, intending to use it to bring the pathogen into the upper atmosphere. At the mercy of her craving, Daisy escapes her cell, reaches the hangar, and begs Hive to control her again.
Production
Development
In April 2016, Marvel announced that the twenty-first episode of the season would be titled "Absolution", to be written by Chris Dingess and Drew Z. Greenberg, with Billy Gierhart directing.[1] The episode was originally titled "Forgiven".[2]
Noelle Mabry, Frank Moran, and Ralph Lammie, contestants on the "reality" web series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Academy,[7] make cameo appearances as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the episode.[8]
Broadcast
"Absolution" was first aired in the United States on ABC on May 17, 2016, as part of the two-hour third season finale.[1]
Reception
Ratings
In the United States the episode received a 1.0/4 percent share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, meaning that it was seen by 1.0 percent of all households, and 4 percent of all of those watching television at the time of the broadcast. It was watched by 3.03 million viewers.[9]