Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The Well

"The Well" is the eighth episode of the first season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), revolving around the character of Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they search for an Asgardian weapon while fighting a paganist hate group. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The episode was written by Monica Owusu-Breen, and directed by Jonathan Frakes. Clark Gregg reprises his role as Coulson from the film series, and is joined by series regulars Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Chloe Bennet, Iain De Caestecker, and Elizabeth Henstridge. The episode serves as a direct tie-in to the film Thor: The Dark World, depicting the immediate aftermath of the film, but has its own stand alone storyline revolving around a separate Asgardian character (portrayed by guest star Peter MacNicol). The storyline also begins to reveal the backstories of several main characters, especially Dalton's Grant Ward, whose memories of the titular well are revealed as flashbacks throughout the episode. "The Well" originally aired on ABC on November 19, 2013, and according to Nielsen Media Research, was watched by 6.89 million viewers.