"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 3 will return with episode 11, "Bouncing Back," and a report from ComicBook reveals that the agent-turned-traitor Grant Ward (Brett Dalton) is no longer the same as he has now transformed into the collective villain known as Hive.
According to the report, Hive first appeared in the comic books as an experiment by Hydra. Hive is capable of absorbing the memories of the people it killed, taking their most important traits to create a powerful singular being. Using Ward's body and memories and then mixing it with the memories of Hive's previous victims make it one of the greatest threats in the series thus far.
This is further reiterated in the promo trailer for season 3B as the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the band of Secret Warriors are said to be facing a threat unlike any other.
It is also important to note that Hive made his first appearance in the "Secret Warriors" comic books, and both Hive and the Secret Warriors will be making their full-fledged live-action appearance this second half of season 3.
As with all adaptations, it is expected that there will be a few changes made to Hive's origin and powers. Actor Brett Dalton further explained to Entertainment Weekly what kind of story the series will tell in regards to Hive's abilities and history.
Dalton also confirms that while he is portraying Hive as it inhabits Ward's body, Ward as an individual is no more. According to Dalton, Ward is now a completely different person, particularly now that the memories of other people have merged with his own.
"He's inhabited by another creature which has existed for centuries on this other world called Maveth. There have been monuments that have been built in his honor," he explained in the report. "He has access to all of the thoughts and memories that Ward had."
"Agents of SHIELD" season 3 episode 11 airs this March 8.
