Interview: 'Agents of SHIELD' Star Coy Stewart Teases Flint's Role in "Past Life"

Agents of SHIELD's trip to the future reaches its climax in tonight's episode, "Past Life." A lot is riding on the shoulders of one young Inhumans named Flint. In fact, Flint may be the key to sending the agents of SHIELD back to their own time.

ComicBook.com caught up with Coy Stewart, the actor who plays Flint, to discuss his character's state of mind going into tonight's big episode. Check back later for Stewart's spoiler-filled thoughts on "Past Life."

ComicBook.com A lot is riding on Flint at this point. Is he happy to follow SHIELD's lead, or does he want to go his own way?

Coy Stewart: I think what we're starting to see with Flint is kind of an understanding of who these guys really are and what they're really about. One thing I had to continue to remind myself early on in these episodes is that this kid has no idea what it means to be a SHIELD agent, who these agents are, and what they've done, so to him they're complete strangers, but throughout these episodes he's seeing the dedication to helping people for the better.

I think in this week's episode he's finally come to the conclusion that he really trusts these people, and understands that they are on the good side and that he has a lot to learn from them, so I think there's a little bit of confidence, newfound confidence, especially with having Mack and Yo-Yo in his corner, as well as a bit of nervousness about how well he will be able to complete the task at hand.

There seems to be a stronger relationship, possibly even a familial one, between Flint and Mack and Yo-Yo. How does Flint feel about that?

I think one thing to remember about Flint is that he did lose his parents at a young age, and I think he blames himself for that. Especially now, his newfound power, he feels like maybe there was something he could have done, so with Mack and Yo-Yo I definitely think that the feelings are coming from both ends, for sure. I think out of anybody he trusts them the most, and they've proven to him time and time again that they will sacrifice their lives for him, as he did when trying to avenge Tess's death, as well.

I think it's definitely coming from both ends. We'll have to see where it blossoms, of course, but I definitely can see the love coming from both ends.

There's been some debate within SHIELD's ranks about their tactics and how far they should go in fighting the Kree. Is Flint willing to use any means necessary, or does he have a certain moral code he wants to stick to?

I think he's somewhere in the middle. I think we kind of saw him go the "any means necessary" route, and I don't think he's thought of the repercussions, because, again, this kid just got his powers and he's a kid, so a lot of emotions swirling up with the death of Tess, as well, so I think he definitely made that choice in the beginning, but as he sees how these agents operate and that he can successfully do something for the greater good and not lose as many lives, it's showing him that it's possible, and I think that's really important, as well. He's kind of somewhere in the middle. He understands what it truly means to be a hero, and help people without having to take such grave chances and sacrifices.

I don't think this has come up on the show at all, but what Flint a believer in the SHIELD prophecy?

That's actually one of the questions that I had for the producers and the writers coming into the show, and you're right, it hasn't been addressed on camera, but the conversation that we had, it was kind of like this kid obviously heard about it, but he was young and more focused, just like we saw in 506 when we first met Flint, more focused on survival more than anything else. I think he was more focused on, "I can't rely on this prophecy to come save me. I have to take things into my own hands," and when these agents come I don't think he knew that he would even really be a part of it. He wasn't expecting it at all, so it's definitely a lot of new information coming and going throughout this arc, but I think he definitely had heard of it but chose not to rely on it as much because really all he had was Tess.

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Marvel's Agents of SHIELD airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.