'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' season 4 episode 10 spoilers: Mace's true colors to be revealed in 'The Patriot'

The midseason premiere of ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." has really opened up the doors to some serious complications ahead when it revealed that the life model decoy (LMD) Aida (Mallory Jansen) is just a mere pawn in a much bigger game plan spearheaded by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s transhumanism consultant, Dr. Radcliffe (John Hannah).

After misdirecting all suspicions on a previous Aida model, which Mack (Henry Simmons) beheaded in the previous episode, Radcliffe is free to do everything he needs to do to get his hands on the Darkhold, with help from his other LMD, fashioned in the likeness of Agent May (Ming-Na Wen), who is doing quite a fine job averting suspicions, even from May's closest friend and ally, Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg).

But Radcliffe's grand scheme may have to take the backseat in the next episode of "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." as the show aims its spotlight on yet another suspicious character, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mysterious new director, Mace (Jason O'Mara). Titled "The Patriot," the episode will reveal the director's shocking secret, and it will be up to agents Coulson and Mack to decide what to do with it when it puts S.H.I.E.L.D.'s entire operations in jeopardy.

How bad can this secret be, and will it break S.H.I.E.L.D.'s newfound trust in their director? Will this secret reveal a villainous side to Mace that could potentially tear S.H.I.E.L.D. apart for good, or will this revelation serve to strengthen their bonds as allies and friends? Will S.H.I.E.L.D. have a new director by the end of it all?

The trailer for the next episode also features the real Agent May gaining consciousness and attempting to escape, only to be apprehended by the new Aida, who will come close to killing her, had it not for Radcliffe telling her to stop.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Jed Whedon shared that Radcliffe's intentions for wanting to possess the Darkhold were fueled by an innocent desire to gain the knowledge that he had briefly glimpsed in it before.

"He's just doing something very innocent to try to get it back. He's not going to harm a soul," Whedon said. He did not, however, vouch for Aida's good behavior.

"Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." season 4 episode 10 airs on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 10 p.m. EST on ABC.