The Real Deal (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

agents as he reveals the details of his bargain with the Ghost Rider, while they deal with a space-time rift that manifests their worst fears.

Clark Gregg reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, starring alongside Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, Elizabeth Henstridge, Henry Simmons, and Natalia Cordova-Buckley.

The episode received positive reviews, with critics praising its emotional weight, Richards' return, and the cast's performances, especially those of Gregg and Bennet.

Upon reaching the rift, he is confronted by an illusion of Mike Peterson, who claims that everything Coulson experienced since the creation of the team was simply a hallucination, and that he is still being healed after being killed by Loki.

Whedon also said that the episode's reveal that Deke is Fitz and Simmons' grandson was put because "[i]t was a way of not just celebrating that they're getting married, but of showing that this isn't just the hope of a happy ending, there actually is one already attending the wedding.

[4] The episode also introduced a "Fear Dimension", which Whedon said that it was added "to keep [the] team together and have them only facing their internal demons, not to have some outside threat.

And the fact that he came back as both Mike Peterson and as Deathlok was a lot of fun for [the writers]", and Tancharoen stated that "It was a way to bring it full circle".

[5] In February 2018, Marvel revealed that main cast members Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Melinda May, Iain De Caestecker as Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Jemma Simmons and Henry Simmons as Alphonso "Mack" Mackenzie, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson / Quake, and Natalia Cordova-Buckley as Elena "Yo-Yo" Rodriguez would reprise their roles in the episode.

The episode also features Jeff Ward and Catherine Dent as recurring characters Deke Shaw and General Hale, as well as J. August Richards and Maximilian Osinski reprising their roles as Deathlok and Davis from previous seasons.

[4] The antagonists Lash and Hive also return from earlier seasons as illusions created by the "Fear Dimension",[4] though the actors were uncredited.

The wedding scene at the end of the episode was filmed in "a very remote location" in the Placerita Canyon State Park.

[5] Filming for the episode ended on November 27, 2017, with the cast and crew celebrating by posting a photo in which they appear with a cake resembling a poster for the series, as well as both S.H.I.E.L.D.

Megan Thomas Bradner, Vice President of Development and Production, Live Action at Marvel Television, said that "commemorates these creators, the actors, the characters and a hundred amazing stories", and called reaching 100 episodes "quite a feat... and it felt special enough to share with the fans that got us here.

By working with some of our favorite comic artists, we felt we could show a large variety of meaningful moments and the characters that helped get us to a 100."

program and a drug from a half-dissected Kree alien corpse, Grant Ward killing Victoria Hand and revealed himself to be working for Hydra, and Fitz giving Simmons the last remaining oxygen tank while declaring his love for her in the season finale.

[7] The second poster was created by Daniel Acuña and highlighted the second season, particularly Coulson writing the Inhuman map on a wall; Johnson coming out of her Terrigenesis cocoon; the S.H.I.E.L.D.

Specific moments highlighted include Fitz and Simmons after she has been pulled from the portal to the alien world Maveth, Coulson killing Ward on that planet, and the formation of the Secret Warriors.

[16] Marc Buxton, of Den of Geek, gave the episode a positive review, saying "Marvel has turned a cast of unknowns into some of the most beloved characters in the MCU".

Buxton also noted the episode's reflection on the series' progression adding, "All in all, shocking reveals, a pleasant trip into nostalgia, and an intense mission all remind us why this show has endured".

Club graded the episode a "B−", and discussed Kevin Tancharoen's direction, saying "it suggests he's more versatile with action than with tear-jerking character beats".

"[18] Danny Hale of Flickering Myth gave a positive review, saying that the episode manages to "deliver some emotional confrontations and new revelations all the while harkening back to the show's roots".

Hale singled out Clark Gregg for praise, noting he gives "an extremely moving performance and perfectly conveyed how this man is losing his grasp as Daisy berates him".