He’s the villain that just won’t die. Grant Ward is back on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Season 4, despite his body being blown up in a quinjet last year. The Framework, Aida’s virtual reality, throws the agents into a world where Hydra took over. In this alternate world, Daisy and Ward are together, something they could never quite accomplish in the real world.

The “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” writers always figure out ways to bring back actor Brett Dalton, whether it’s a redemption arc or an alien using his dead body. Executive producer Jed Whedon noted that the new storyline is partially because they wanted to work with the actor again.

“We figured when you get dropped into an alternate reality, what better way to show that it might not be everything you imagined than the return of one of our most loved and most hated characters,” Whedon told Entertainment Weekly. “Also, we wanted to have Brett back. We missed him.”

Though he only appeared in a photo in Season 4, episode 15, the actor will have more to do in upcoming episodes. Marvel released a video that shows Dalton on set with a script. It isn’t clear how long the arc will last, but it might not be everything Skyeward shippers are hoping for.

When Whedon was asked if Daisy (Chloe Bennet) would be unhappy with Ward, the EP hinted that the couple would not be in a honeymoon phase. “We could look back at their history and see if that tracks with what’s happened in the past, but that sounds about right,” he said.

Obviously, Ward still has many fans, and they’re thrilled to see Dalton on the show. The twist was a welcome surprise for them.

The writers can’t please everyone, though. Some longtime “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” viewers are a little tired of Ward being the only character who gets to repeatedly come back when there are so many good guys who could return.

The cliffhanger won’t be resolved immediately. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” Season 4 is on hiatus. It will return to ABC on April 4 at 10 p.m. EST.

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