In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were an elite force of spies and soldiers who help keep the world a safer place from the weird threats. The Avengers and their associated heroes have usurped them in the movie arm of the universe, but they still reign supreme in the television arm - at least until the series ends with its seventh season later this year.
Over the course of the series, fans have been introduced to some of the best Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. has to offer. Not every agent, however, can be a member of the elite. The series has seen plenty of unnamed agents who have lost their lives by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We’re not discussing those unfortunate red shirts, but instead, the best and the worst of the named agents the series has had to offer.
Worst: Lance Hunter
Some fans might balk at sometimes-mercenary Lance Hunter leading off the worst of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. The truth of the matter is that, despite Hunter’s impressive skills in the field, he’s better as a freelancer than an agent in a secret spy group.
Hunter isn’t afraid to cross lines, break laws, and use shady connections to get a job done. His biggest issue, however, is that he’s not great at following orders or being part of a team. Those two things are necessary to be a part of S.H.I.E.L.D. It’s a shame we never got to see him in his element in the canceled spinoff Marvel’s Most Wanted.
Best: Phil Coulson
Phil Coulson is the reason the television series exists, so it stands to reason that he would be one of the best S.H.I.E.L.D. has. He might have made his debut in the Iron Man trilogy, but the audience has been able to see him grow as an agent thanks to the series and an appearance in Captain Marvel - where he was just a rookie.
Coulson is able to master the mechanics of being an agent: the fighting skills, the undercover work, and even diplomacy. He also understands the need to be a team player, the necessary secrecy, and when it’s time to reveal those secrets. Coulson is great at reading situations and people, knowing when he’s not the right person for a job, and just who needs to be the one to do it. There are few agents better than him at his job.
Worst: Robert Gonzales
At one time, Robert Gonzales was probably an excellent agent. He did, after all, garner the respect of a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. veterans and protect an alien monolith at sea after the Hydra takeover. Gonzales tried to organize the remaining agents into a new S.H.I.E.L.D., but it didn’t work because he exemplified some of the worst aspects of being an agent.
He was rigid, not believing in compromise between different factions. Gonzales also wasn’t great at anticipating surprises, or for that matter, at reading his agents or his enemies. It’s hard to figure out just how he rose through the S.H.I.E.L.D. ranks when he didn’t seem particularly adept at being in the field or in negotiations.
Best: Bobbi Morse
The Mockingbird made quite the entrance while undercover at Hydra in season two. Bobbi Morse has a reputation for her undercover work. She can become anyone to get intelligence, and she isn’t just good at hiding in plain sight.
Bobbi also proved herself as more than just capable in a fight with a variety of weapons and fighting skills. She’s on par with Black Widow. Bobbi is also one smart cookie, able to fill in doing lab work when the team is down one of their most intelligent members. She also makes a heartbreaking sacrifice for the good of S.H.I.E.L.D., allowing herself to become disavowed in season three so that the rest of the organization doesn’t become compromised. Bobbi is an exemplary agent.
Worst: Agent Burrows
Introduced in season four, Agent Burrows is less of a traditional S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and more of a public relations manager. He’s Jeffrey Mace’s right hand and the only one who knows the secret of just how Mace got his powers.
Burrows is in charge of Mace’s special briefcase and is always around to remind him of appointments, speeches, and to keep an eye on people. He also happens to be horrible in the field. Burrows might have the loyalty and secret-keeping down, but he’s unable to protect the one person he’s assigned to, or himself.
Best: The Koenig Siblings
The Koenig siblings make this list as a group because they serve a very specific function within S.H.I.E.L.D. that seemingly no one else would be able to do. Each of the Koenig brothers maintains a secret base while their sister is a field agent.
Yes, the first Koenig brother the audience meets is killed by a traitor in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s midst, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that each of them maintains a base for years without being detected. Each Koenig is able to operate the base completely on his own, has a direct connection to Fury, and is able to operate in the field even without the same high-level training that someone like Bobbi Morse receives. They’re the secret backbone to S.H.I.E.L.D. being able to operate in the shadows.
Worst: Trevor Khan
To be absolutely fair to Trevor Khan, he has the potential to be a great S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. In season six, he’s just not there yet, and unless the timeline is somehow reset for him, he never will be now.
Trevor has what seems like an easy assignment: babysitting Deke while he runs his tech startup. He does a decent job since Deke never suspects that his right-hand man is actually an agent keeping an eye on him. Once they’re attacked, however, Trevor doesn’t adapt to his situation well to get everyone - especially Deke - out. Trevor needs to learn some flexibility.
He also has the unfortunate luck to be trapped in the base when Chronicoms destroy it at the end of the season, so it’s unlikely we’ll ever see him again.
Best: Daisy Johnson
Once upon a time, fans only knew her as Skye. Now, she uses her birth name, Daisy Johnson, and the alias Quake. She’s grown from a young woman whose only skills are computer hacking and lying, to someone who can easily take on a room full of Hydra agents alone, and that’s not just because of her powers.
In addition to having those quaking abilities and hacking skills, Daisy continues to grow as an agent. She understands when things need transparency and when they need secrecy, and she understands the part she plays in a larger team. Daisy thinks of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents around her as family, which keeps her invested in the fight even when she thinks she might want to walk away. She’s been through more than most people will go through in a lifetime, but she’s still willing to learn and help keep the world safe.
Worst: Grant Ward
Much like Lance Hunter, Grant Ward is good at the job itself. He’s a strong fighter, adept at undercover work, and has no problem “crossing people off.” The trouble is that he’s not a team player and as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., he’s the worst.
Ward only becomes a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent thanks to John Garrett. He’s a plant for Garrett, and by extension, Hydra, the entire time. Ward puts the team in danger when he doesn’t play by the rules and only does the right thing when he knows it will keep his cover for Hydra intact. He attempts to start a relationship with two of his teammates, which is just poor form. His decision to throw Fitz and Simmons into the ocean instead of actually talking things out with them shows he lacks the will to find new solutions as well.
Best: Melinda May
When the series begins, Melinda May is the most senior member of the team other than Coulson. She’s only there to drive the bus, but it becomes clear very quickly that she has a lot of other skills besides flying.
May is able to compartmentalize better than anyone else on the team. She’s also able to recognize when the emotions she’s setting aside aren’t healthy and do something about it, like taking an extended vacation from work. May can transform herself to go undercover, there’s no better fighter on the team (without superpowers), and she’s willing to take on whatever role the organization needs her to. She’s truly the best of the best.
