Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Boss Sets the Record Straight on Melinda May

The internet was swirling with rumors of Melinda May's demise after the Nov. 5 episode of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but TVGuide.com can reveal that The Cavalry (Ming-Na Wen) did not die like fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg).

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In "FZZT," Coulson confided in May that he was the one to order the physical and blood work on himself because he's been feeling off since his death in The Avengers. Melinda quelled his fears by saying that a traumatic experience like dying would change anyone. "You know how long it's taken me to..." Melinda started to say before Coulson interrupted with, "I know."  Some fans believed Melinda May was revealing that she had also once died, but executive producer Maurissa Tancharoen wants to set the record straight.

"That is a misinterpretation," Tancharoen says. "They were just connecting on an emotional level about being scared by a traumatic experience. You come back from a trauma like that changed and all you can do is move forward. It's nice that they have that moment together because you feel the history of their friendship and you feel that, even though their relationship may be different now because she is a different person, there is a still a nice grounded touchstone that they have with each other."

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So, there you have it. Coulson is the only teammember that has died and come back to life — that we know of! And Melinda May's traumatic experience was probably what landed her with the name The Cavalry, which will get some backstory on soon. Until then, stay tuned for more Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. scoop next week!

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC.