SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for "Maveth," the midseason finale of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
In the first "Star Wars" film, Obi Wan told Darth Vader, "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could ever imagine." It seems the same holds true for Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), who died in "Maveth," the winter finale of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." -- only to be resurrected as the Beast both Will and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) feared.
Coulson and Ward finally came to blows on the planet Maveth in this episode, after a season-long buildup that resulted in Rosalind Price's (Constance Zimmer) death. Coulson was able to exact his revenge, crushing Ward to death with his prosthetic hand. Ward very clearly died in this scene, but it's far from the last time we'll see him.
While Coulson and Ward have their fatal fight, Fitz (Iain DeCaestecker) tangled with the Beast, who took possession of Will's body. As the Beast lumbered towards the portal, Fitz destroyed the Beast's vessel. After Fitz and Coulson escaped the planet, the Beast found Ward and an opportunity to escape to Earth.
Though we're guaranteed to learn more about this mysterious Beast now that he's found his way to Gideon Malick (Powers Boothe) and Hydra, it gave us a little tease while speaking to Will. It revealed the planet had once flourished with life; in fact, there was a civilization with nine cities -- until they went to war. The Beast believes they wasted their potential.
Additionally, in a bid to save her life from some Hydra goons, Simmons turned to Andrew Garner (Blair Underwood) for help and allowed him -- and thereby Lash -- to escape containment. After conducing a search, May discovered he had left the premise.
Starring Clark Gregg, Chloe Bennet and Ming-Na Wen, "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." airs Tuesdays at 9 pm EST on ABC.