Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD: Will the Chronicoms explain how time-travel works?

Now that season six of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD is introducing more Chronicoms to the story, we’re getting the impression that their sole purpose is to protect the timeline. If true, could they possess knowledge of how time-travel “actually” works in the MCU?

With Avengers: Endgame leaving audiences stumped on how time-travel works in this particular movie universe, fans have proposed several theories which explain the mechanics. Endgame’s writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely attempted to provide us with one explanation but their simplification of time-travel loopholes has left many fans unsatisfied. And while the writers have yet to fully explain the mechanics of time-travel in the MCU, Agents of SHIELD’s Chronicoms might do just that in Season Six.

Warning! Spoilers for the latest episodes of Agents of SHIELD follow. Read on at your own discretion.

In the most recent season of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, several Chronicoms have shown up. Enoch (Joel Stoffer) has been around since Season 5 but it wasn’t until this past week’s episode aired that more Chronicoms entered the fold. A new Chronicom by the name of Malachi (Christopher James Barker) appeared in Episode 3 with the sole purpose of capturing Leo Fitz (Iain De Castecker). The Chronicom didn’t formally introduce himself or explain his motives but Enoch seems to know what Malachi’s presence means.

When Enoch is remotely shut down on the planet of Kitson, he comes to the conclusion that his Chronicom brethren have excommunicated him. Enoch falls into a deep depression upon coming to this realization but there’s a more significant reason for him being exiled.

According to Enoch, the Chronicoms are supposed to be observers — similar to the comics’ version of the Watchers. They’re not supposed to interfere in the affairs of humans, especially in those of people who are shaping the timeline. Since Enoch has disobeyed this very specific directive, the other Chronicoms are coming to snuff him out. Malachi left Enoch intact at the end of “Fear And Loathing On The Planet Of Kitson” but that doesn’t mean he or his comrades will show mercy next time. Malachi also took Fitz captive which leads us to believe that the Chronicoms are intervening to protect the timeline from further disruptions.

Who are the Chronicoms? And how do they factor into the Multiverse?

Apart from the description that Enoch gave of his people, his species’ name basically tells us everything we need to know about them. Since the prefix “Chrono” refers to something relating to time, it makes sense that the Chronicoms would be tasked with protecting the timeline. They may hold another purpose but the idea of them preserving the Multiverse’s constitution is in line with observers and watchers of the Marvel universe.

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Theories aside, everything depends on how the Chronicoms react to S.H.I.E.L.D. manipulating the timeline. They could go out in search of anyone else who’s done the same, though Fitz seems to be their main target.

Assuming we’re correct and their goal is to preserve the established timeline, they’ll likely place the spacefaring S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent into cryogenic stasis again. Keep in mind that the future destined for Fitz no longer exists so there’s a major problem with him being around.

Due to Fitz being misplaced in time, the Chronicoms might react more hastily to his presence. It’s quite possible they’re aware of the effects that time-travel has on the multiverse, leaving them with no choice but to erase people who manipulate history. Fitz will presumably be the first since he shouldn’t exist but who’s to say the Chronicoms will stop with him.

There’s a very real possibility that Daisy’s entire team will be viewed as inconsistencies in the timeline, potentially leading to their erasure too. They all contributed to changing history so the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. team could be in the Chronicoms’ crosshairs. Then again, no one expects S.H.I.E.L.D. to be wiped out so odds are that the Chronicoms will function as the voice of reason rather than an invading force when their purpose becomes known.

What do you think the Chronicoms are here for? And will they help stop Sarge? Let us know in the comments section below.

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD airs Fridays on ABC. Episodes are uploaded to Hulu the following day. For more on Agents of SHIELD, follow us on the Hulu Watcher Twitter Account @HuluWatcherFS or on the Hulu Watcher Facebook Page.