Agents Of SHIELD: Every Season Ranked Worst To Best

Arguably no season reinvented the show as much as its fourth. From the outset, it felt darker and dangerous - helped by a shift back on the schedule to a later hour - and the show embraced its pod structure with three distinct but connected storytelling pods, with Ghost Rider taking center stage in the first, Aida coming to the forefront with the middle LMD arc, and the team's entrapment in the Framework serving as the core of the Agents of HYDRA story.

Aside from Robbie Reyes and the Spirit of Vengeance being brought to life spectacularly, Aida proved herself to be one of the series' greatest antagonists ever, Daisy finally took up the mantle of Quake, we got to see alternate reality versions of Trip and a good guy Grant Ward, Jeffrey "Patriot" Mace made his introduction (and heroic exit), and the group's time in the Framework challenged them in huge ways, from Mack's desire to stay behind just to be with his daughter causing friction between him and Yo-Yo to the unleashing of Fitz's darker nature leading to terrible, irreversible consequences to Holden Radcliffe coming to terms with his idea of "immortality."

In all ways, season four represents Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at its best: Tight, surprising storytelling, a perpetual interest in continually challenging its characters, and the ability to redefine itself over and over again in ways that make sense, all of which is wrapped up in a package made of slick action and - most importantly - an abundance of heart, something that proves just why this show has continued to chug along without wearing out its welcome five years on.

Which season is your favourite? Let us know down in the comments.