What Happened to Mel in Thunderbolts?

If you watched the final scene of Thunderbolts, you were treated to one of the most exciting and longest scenes in the MCU. The mysterious appearance of a spacecraft marked with a huge “4” stole the spotlight, and understandably, it has left a lasting impression. However, a lingering question remains for fans invested in the shady new world of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s operations: Where was Mel?

Who is Mel in Thunderbolts?

Played by Geraldine Viswanathan, Mel was quickly one of the most fascinating new characters in Thunderbolts. As Valentina’s calm and calculating assistant – who may not be as loyal as she seems – Mel works behind the scenes, pulling subtle strings and orchestrating the outcome of several pivotal moments in the film, like a true sleeper agent. When the team ends up in the Avengers Tower (renamed the “Watchtower”) and in contact with the apparent Fantastic Four, it’s natural to wonder: Is Mel just off-screen, or was she done with her part? According to Viswanathan, Mel is still very much in the picture – and she finally has an office.

Mel’s Whereabouts Revealed

Speaking to Perri for Collider Ladies Night, Viswanathan confirmed that Mel is indeed at the tower after the credits. “She is. Yes. She has a small office. She has a small coffee machine there. It appears. She has a small view. But she’s still scheming,” Viswanathan said. This single quote could be one of the most insightful things we’ve learned about Mel so far. It tells us that she still operates within Valentina’s sphere of influence and didn’t disappear or get disposed of after surrounding her morally cloudy decisions about her boss, especially when it came to tipping off Sebastian Stan‘s Bucky Barnes, where the “Thunderbolts” were at the beginning of the film.

Mel’s Power Trajectory

It also indicates that she’s gaining status – tacitly moving up the command chain – but still not quite in control. There’s ambition there. That cup of coffee? It’s probably brewed with precision, just like Val likes – because Mel is still playing the long game. When asked how “it” would look for her character, Viswanathan replied: “Just calling the shots, pressing buttons, getting off the damned phone, and not getting coffee for people. I just think speaking, making decisions, making calls. Whatever that position is.”

Conclusion

Thunderbolts is now in theaters. Take a look at Viswanathan’s complete episode from Collider Ladies Night to learn more about Mel’s character and her role in the MCU.