'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.': The Secret of Coulson's Resurrection Revealed

Take it from Clark Gregg, who plays Coulson on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," and who told us he wouldn't let his daughter watch this week's episode: This one is grim.

Chiefly because of two main scenes: one with Mike Peterson, who survived the explosion at the end of last episode and is now covered with burns and missing a leg; and another where Coulson's brain is being rebuilt by a terrifying robot while he moans, “Please let me die. Please let me die.”

[Related: Clark Gregg Preps Us for a 'Very Intense Episode' of 'S.H.I.E.L.D.']

There had been a lot of fan speculation that Coulson was a robot or a clone following his death in “The Avengers." The actual explanation for his resurrection turns out to be much more disturbing than that. Ron Glass reprises his role as Dr. Streiten, who explains that Nick Fury “had a team of scientists working around the clock using procedures that no good doctor would ever allow.”

So the mystery is explained — though we still don't know why Fury thinks he's important enough to do that sort of awfulness to him. We're not sure what else S.H.I.E.L.D. wiped or changed in his mind. (Did Raina, the girl in the flower dress, seem more familiar with Coulson than maybe she should have?) Questions were answered, but more remain.

Watch a scene from tonight's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." right here:

Clark Gregg live-tweeted the episode on both coasts and you should definitely watch the episode with his commentary if you can.

As for the rest of the Internet… the response was mixed. Some bad:

Some baffled:

But mostly positive:

It looks like as long as secrets continue to be revealed on "S.H.I.E.L.D.," the audience will stick around. And if next week's previews are to be believed, Coulson's revelations will lead him to give Skye some uncomfortable truths as well... so good news all around.

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.