“Maveth” is episode ten of season three of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the mid-season finale.
In the previous episode, “Closure”, HYDRA had forced Fitz to go through the portal to the planet Simmons was on “4,722 Hours” by threatening her. Ward was convinced by Malick to lead a team through the portal to look for the Inhuman that HYDRA was apparently founded to bring back. Before the portal closed, Coulson managed to get through it too, although he was knocked unconscious on the other side. Although Malick and HYDRA know someone got through the portal, Ward doesn’t.
On the planet, Ward’s team encounters a large construction that looks to be in the shape of the HYDRA symbol. Fitz plans to bring Will, and himself, back through the portal, but not Ward and the Other. Ward, of course, plans to bring his team and the Other through the portal, but not Fitz and Will. Of course, both sides know that the others plan to betray them – although Ward didn’t know that Will was on the planet until Fitz led them to him. Fitz told Ward that Will was going to be their guide.
Back in Gloucestershire, S.H.I.E.L.D., under its temporary head Mack, are planning on assaulting the heavily fortified HYDRA castle (and just how did HYDRA manage to fortify it? The UK government would probably not be happy). An open assault is out, so a stealth one is needed. As well as the regulars – Mack, May, Daisy, Hunter and Bobbi – they are accompanied by Lincoln and Joey, the Inhuman seen at the beginning of the season in “Laws of Nature”, who are on their first mission.
HYDRA is shipping Inhumans from the ATCU to the castle, for the Other to use as an army. Simmons, who manages to escape during S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attack, bumps into Andrew, and lets him loose. Whether this is a good or a bad thing in the long run is another story. S.H.I.E.L.D. manages to infiltrate the castle, but are left with a dilemma – should they destroy the portal, stranding their fellows, or leave it open, and possibly allow the Other to come back?