Agents, enemies, and those in the middle stand poised between darkness and light in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 cast photos.

The image of the substantial main cast reflects the overall tone of the character shots. Light cuts across through a dark room, landing – interestingly enough – on Lincoln and Mack to the far right. At the extreme opposite is Ward, who is nearest (gulp!) to Simmons.

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Most of the cast is dressed in black, matching the dark tone of the image – and presumably Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3. Only Fitz wears white, while Bobbi is dressed in an almost disconcerting blue.

The individual shots from the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 cast photos are equally evocative… and perhaps, equally frustrating. Coulson (who is back in a suit, thank goodness!) gets to show off his black-gloved replacement hand, though he doesn’t seem too happy about it.

Neither May nor Skye appear in combat clothing, though for once, Skye looks like she might mean even more business than May – even without her new supersuit. Melinda’s loyalty to S.H.I.E.L.D. has been rumored to be a potentially turbulent subject in the upcoming season; her images certainly suggest a consideration of her future.

Meanwhile, Fitz looks remarkably put-together, taking on Simmons’ role as the blazer-wearing member of the scientific duo. (Though – don’t call us crazy – doesn’t it seem like someone is looking at him?)

Related: New characters, new powers debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 premiere photos

In contrast, Simmons (whose post-Kree rock fate remains a major mystery) is dressed in simple, baggy black – and seems kind of miserable.

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 cast photos for Grant Ward are the darkest-lit of the set, and remind everyone that he is definitely Team Hydra… as if we could forget that little development.

As for Bobbi and Hunter, the two on-again, off-again lovers seem just as morose as everyone else, though Bobbi is standing quite distinctly in the light. (We have no idea why Hunter is face-planting that wall.)

Unsurprisingly, Mack is possibly the least conflicted of the group, standing emphatically in the light. Lincoln, meanwhile, stands in a swirl of shadow and an intriguingly reddish light.

Finally, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 cast photos round off with a formal look at Constance Zimmer’s character, Rosalind Price. The head of the Advanced Threat Containment Unit is dressed in white… but somehow, we still don’t trust her.

A new poster for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 was released yesterday, and also played with light and shadow amongst the significant cast of characters. But the seasons’ shrouded secrets are nearing revelation, as the premiere date inches us mercifully closer to a reunion with our favorite, uniformly depressive agents.

Cheer up, guys! It can’t be that bad… can it?

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 3 premiere, “Laws of Nature,” airs Sept. 29 at 9:00 p.m. on ABC.

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