Holden Radcliffe quotes from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Radcliffe

[pouring himself a whiskey, sitting on the beach at sunset] Though immortality may have eluded me... perhaps it's for the best. After all... what is eternity without my beloved Agnes by my side? This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a– [vanishes]

Hive

The world fears our kind of power because not everyone has it. Only billionaires can build iron suits. Only the military can make super soldiers, which can only lead to a war of its own. Whereas I plan to apply a more... collectivist philosophy.

Dr. Holden Radcliffe

Does, uh... Does that mean we can get started?

Radcliffe

You ready?

Simmons

Hell, no, I'm not ready. We're about to kill May.

Radcliffe

We're about to save May.

Radcliffe

The point is, even though you may be feeling better, you suffered real, severe brain trauma.

Fitz

That said, we're gonna have to keep you a wee bit longer for further testing.

Radcliffe

Just to track your movements before we release you.

Radcliffe

Excuse me?

AIDA

Agent May says you can shove all your tests up your ass.

Radcliffe

Well, that's not very nice.

Radcliffe

I'm building an inter-dimensional gateway with an android I've created. If this works, I could die happy.

May

We've put our faith in a robot who says she hears ghosts. If it fails, you might die quickly.

Agent Coulson, I took the liberty of bringing Dr. Radcliffe up to speed.

Radcliffe

Yes, quantum cells, flaming skulls, androids - just another day at S.H.I.E.L.D., huh?

Radcliffe

Time for you to work your magic, dear.

AIDA

I don't perform magic, doctor. Magic just means deception.

Radcliffe

Yeah, I just meant it's time to start connecting the power cells. I really need to update your cache of common vernacular.

Mack

First of all, that thing is not a she. It's a damn robot. And second of all, what is the matter with you two chuckleheads? Have either one of you seen a movie in the last thirty years? The robots always attack.

Radcliffe

Well, technically speaking AIDA's not a robot, she's an android.

Fitz

That's true.

Mack

Android, robot, it doesn't matter what you call them, the end results always the same. They rise up against their human overlords and go kill-crazy!

Radcliffe

You make a fair, if intense, point.

AIDA

If I terminate anyone else for your protection, I will dispose of the body more discreetly.

Radcliffe

No! Don't terminate anyone.

Radcliffe

What happened? She was supposed to be in a relaxing simulation!

AIDA

She was in a day spa, getting a hot stone massage.

Radcliffe

How hot did you make the stones?

Billy

I don't care what this is or what you guys do. I'm not gonna talk.

Radcliffe

You won't have to. That's the beauty of it. This machine will allow me access to his mind. We'll get all the information we need without laying a hand on him

Billy

Well, you're not gonna get anything out of me. Because my mind is a steel trap inside of a sealed box surrounded by quicksand and - [Radcliffe puts the machine on his head] Oh, is that a puppy?

This book better be worth it.

Radcliffe

If you want to get rid of the Inhumans, the answer will be in it.

And what's in it for you?

Radcliffe

A better world.

Then we want the same thing.

AIDA

There's a beauty to it.

Radcliffe

This body you're building ... the Russian won't approve.

AIDA

He'll come around. I've observed his behavior. I've observed much human behavior. And the more I see, the harder it gets to find a logic to it.

Radcliffe

Oh, you sweet girl. There is no logic to love, anger, wonder, joy.

AIDA

I understand the concepts, but I don't feel them myself. And unfortunately, they've created a paradox in my programming.

Radcliffe

What do you mean? Explain.

AIDA

My two main parameters are in opposition due to human emotions. I was programmed to protect the Framework but also to preserve your life above all others.

Radcliffe

Well, how is that a contradiction?

AIDA

Because the greatest threat to the Framework, Doctor... is you.

Radcliffe

That's simply not accurate.

AIDA

A defining human trait seems to be regret, or so I've observed. You even asked me to repair one regret for each person entering the Framework.

Radcliffe

Yes.

AIDA

Well you Doctor, exhibit poor self-control, and if you someday come to regret building the Framework, you could change my parameters and have me dismantle it.

Radcliffe

[laughing] Why would you think I would ever do that? I am saving these people. I am giving them a replica of their life with less pain.

AIDA

Yes, but their physical bodies will eventually give out because of it.

Radcliffe

Oh, AIDA, that doesn't matter. Reality is just perception. They perceive it as real, which makes it real.

AIDA

They might not believe that.

Radcliffe

Yeah, but I do. I know it. I believe it to be true, wholeheartedly.

AIDA

Thank you for clarifying. That statement fixes the paradox. I can now solve both problems at once. [slits Radcliffe's wrists and inserts him into the Framework] Shh. You'll live a long life, free of pain.

Radcliffe

Subversives? They are people who happen to be our friends. I wanted to help them. You've turned them into prisoners.

I did exactly as you asked.

Radcliffe

Don't play innocent with me. We both know it's gone much further than that.

I took away their one greatest regret. How things played out from there wasn't up to me.

Radcliffe

You put yourself into the Framework, you've been manipulating it ever since! The whole thing is an unmitigated disaster! And all you do is lie.

Sometimes it's okay to lie, to save a life. You taught me that.

Radcliffe

Don't use my words, or my BLOODY PROGRAMMING, against me, AIDA!

Do not call me that here. AIDA is an acronym. The "A" stands for Artificial. Do you know how degrading it is to be kept in a closet? To be used? To be treated as a thing? Well, I am not your tool. Not anymore.

Daisy

Are you crying?

Radcliffe

[Sarcastically] No, I'm laughing with utter joy.

Daisy

Yeah, well– you won't get any sympathy from me. Sounds like you're getting everything you deserve for creating this– hellscape.

Radcliffe

You can say whatever you want, nothing hurts me anymore. Not after what he did to Agnes.

Daisy

What happened?

Radcliffe

Fitz. I begged him not to. But he– he killed her, right in front of me. She was all I had.

Daisy

How could he do that?

Radcliffe

Because that's who he is here. AIDA changed them.

Daisy

She said she took away one regret. One regret can't change an entire life. It– It doesn't change who you are.

Radcliffe

Of course it can. One person in your life, one decision, one sentence has the power to change you forever.

Daisy

One sentence?

Radcliffe

Yeah, that's right. One single sentence, like– "I love you"– or– "we're having a baby" or– "she's gone."

Daisy

I just– I didn't think Fitz is capable of doing something like that.

Radcliffe

[Scoffs] Oh, my dear, depending on the circumstances, anyone is capable of anything.