WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Eternals, in theaters now.
While the Eternals have been active in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for millennia, working together to hunt down and eliminate any monstrous Deviants that threaten the course of humanity's evolution on Earth, the ancient beings are not all on the same page despite their apparent common goal. Over their time together for thousands of years, the Eternals eventually stood divided by the modern-day MCU, resulting in one of their greatest heroes standing revealed as a murderous traitor in their midst: Ikaris. And in several ways, this shocking heel turn followed a similar character arc to one of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most notable moments when the team was betrayed in Season 1 by Grant Ward.
Throughout Eternals, the candidate presented as the most likely to turn on his fellow heroes is Druig, with the Eternal resentful of being relegated to the sidelines as humanity descends into violence and genocide, using his mind control powers to form his own sanctuary in Latin America before seemingly abandoning Arishem's mission. However, the real traitor is revealed to be Ikaris, with the stoic superhero murdering Ajak after learning the truth behind Arishem's directive and his intention for humanity to fuel the creation of a new Celestial. With the majority of the Eternals opposing the wholesale sacrifice of humanity, this led to Ikaris engaging his old friends directly before eventually stopping as he realized the extent of his love for Sersi, flying into the Sun as he was consumed with the guilt of his betrayal.
Both Ikaris and Ward are portrayed as the most stoic, no-nonsense members of their respective hero communities, exceedingly confident and focused on the job at all times. This single-minded drive concealed the fact that both characters were secretly working against their friends all along, with Ikaris continuing Arishem's plans for Earth while Ward was a sleeper agent working for Hydra that had successfully infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. This heel turn was hidden by misdirects, with Druig built up as the more likely antagonist in how he was presented while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. offered in a feint away from Ward with Victoria Hand, a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. operative whose harsh command style aroused suspicion.
In the end, Ward was not a figure that actively sought redemption for the villainous path he embarked on, though he retained a noticeable soft spot for his former love interest Daisy Johnson. Over the course of his character arc, Ward would rise to take command of Hydra and unleash its full fury on S.H.I.E.L.D. before eventually being killed by Phil Coulson. By contrast, Ikaris was a character who discovered his own humanity and autonomy through his love for Sersi, it is only his connection to her that stays his hand from allowing Arishem's plan from succeeding and reminding him all the beauty humanity is capable of as experienced with her at his side for centuries.
Much more serious and reserved than their counterparts, it's clear that this unwavering stoicism is what successfully concealed Ward and Ikaris' true natures. Daisy offered Ward a chance to escape the villainous life he had chosen but, ultimately, Ward is a case study in a traitor that fully commits to his sinister agenda wholeheartedly while Ikaris is a man at odds with himself and his dedication to his supposed life's purpose all along. There is a nobility and code of honor that Ward lacks but their respective paths to breaking bad have noticeable parallels that pit them against their teammates in moments of raw betrayal.
Directed and co-written by Chloe Zhao, Eternals is in theaters now.
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