chloe

ABC

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. debuted on ABC in September 2013 to massive ratings and decent reviews. Three years later, the positive reception to the superhero series, minus the superheroes, has increased, but the numbers haven’t. The most recent episode, the penultimate of the season before tonight’s finale, was one of the show’s lowest rated, with only 2.93 million viewers. And most of them were wondering, where are the Avengers?

Chloe Bennet wants to know the same thing.

During a Q&A session at Wizard World Des Moines this weekend, the S.H.I.E.L.D. star was asked why Tony Stark or Steve Rodgers haven’t dropped by to help fight Hive, an evil ancient Inhuman. “I don’t know,” Bennet replied, “People who make movies for Marvel, why don’t you acknowledge what happens on our show? Why don’t you guys go ask them that? Because they don’t seem to care!” Extra fuel was thrown into the fire when she later added, “The Marvel Cinematic Universe loves to pretend that everything is connected, but then they don’t acknowledge our show at all. So, I would love to [appear in a Marvel movie], but they don’t seem too keen on that idea.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was recently renewed for a fourth season, but its time slot was moved from 9 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. ABC president Channing Dungey says the scheduling change will allow the show to “go a little bit edgier, go a little darker, and take some risks.” But considering some of the most recent ABC shows to air on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. are Wicked City, Forever, Lucky 7, Body of Proof, Detroit 1-8-7, and the ironically titled The Forgotten, it’s easy to interpret the move as a demotion. Especially with Marvel ruling the box office.

If only Captain America or Iron Man were around to solve S.H.I.E.L.D.’s problems (or, sadly, Agent Carter‘s). But that’s the point — they’re not.

(Via io9)