Entertainment

'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' Paid A Touching Tribute

The April 25 episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is not subtle about referencing the Trump administration, with nods to the Billy Bush tape and "alternative facts" in Aida's dystopian and Hydra-centric Framework. However, there's one detail in Sunil Bakshi’s talk show that you may have easily blinked and missed, and too bad if you did. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. paid tribute to Bill Paxton, who passed away earlier this year.

Paxton played John Garrett in Season 1 of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. He was a specialist who mentored Grant Ward.... right into the cool embrace of Hydra. He wore a lot of turtlenecks and tried to make Ward kill his dog. Let's never forget that. He was one of the show's first Big Bads and helped the show seamlessly react and respond to Captain America: The Winder Soldier — one of the best television events I have ever witnessed.

It's oddly appropriate that the arc on Agents f S.H.I.E.L.D. happens to feature a Hydra regime. By chance, the show is able to honor Paxton the actor without betraying his sinister character on the series. It's pretty sneaky, and more than a little lucky if you ask me. Tuesday's episode features an "In Memoriam" during Bakshi's broadcast and a scroll announcing the character's death in the Framework. In a reversal of his status in the real world, Garrett is a hero in the alternate reality. Catch a glimpse of the tribute below. TVLine has a closer look as well.

While Bill Paxton may be most remembered for his film roles, it's nice that Agents of S.H.I.E.LD included this little shout out. Garrett was a memorable guy, and even if he was pretty much pure evil, deserved this moment.