(SPOILERS!!)
We’re back, baby! It feels so long ago since we’ve had a Marvel Disney+ series. I’ve missed waking up at three in the morning for these shows. Our last series was She-Hulk: Attorney at Law in October last year. The reception was mixed, and that’s been the case for many of Phase 4 and Phase 5 of the MCU so far. Secret Invasion isn’t a stranger to mixed reviews from critics, either. Although it’s just the start, I’m nervous and excited for the rest of the show. Before we jump into the first episode, let’s talk about Skrulls and the comic storyline Secret Invasion. In the comics, the Skrulls’ first appearance was in The Fantastic Four #2 in 1961, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby! They replaced each F4 member and did horrible things using their appearances. Ultimately, they were defeated by the F4. In the MCU, The Skrulls first appeared in Captain Marvel. They are a race of shapeshifting aliens. The biggest twist to the plot of that movie was finding out the Skrulls weren’t actually the villains of the story. They were looking for a safe home since the Kree were constantly after them. By the end, Captain Marvel and Nick Fury promised Talos, the leader of the Skrulls, they would help the Skrulls find a new home. Secret Invasion’s comic storyline is basically Skrulls invading Earth over a long period and hiding among them for years. They weren’t only shapeshifting into normal people but heroes as well. It sparked the question… who do you trust?
Episode One:
Set in Moscow. The paranoia kicked off quickly. Agent Prescod warned Agent Everett Ross about the potential dangers of the Skrulls. With no new home, the shapeshifters decided Earth would be their new ground. This information needed to be seen by Nick Fury. He has had his hand full in space working on S.A.B.E.R, though. Prescod met his end after suspecting Ross of being Skrull. His suspicion would be proven correct when Ross died from a high fall. Agent Maria Hill thought a random person had chased Ross, but it was Talos. The Skrull who replaced Ross was one of the bad ones. He is not one of us. He is one of them.
Something horrific is going on involving the Skrulls. They’ve already invaded, so how long till they take it all? There’s no better time for the real Nick Fury to return to Earth. Reunions everywhere! Hill met Fury upon his arrival. A warm welcome. The same goes for Talos. A strong companion for nearly 30 years. Fury softens up with him as they remember Soren, Talos’ wife. During Fury’s disappearance, Talos was also voted out of the council, exiled, and his daughter, G’iah, left. The Skrull council appointed Gravik as a new member. He shared the same frustration that G’iah had for not having a new home yet. Many Skrulls did. Gravik promised them a home. They stay at nuclear plant bases in Russia since they are immune to radioactivity. He supposedly wants to start a war between the USA and Russia. With the materials secured from a raid in Kazakhstan, there’s a possibility that the human race will cease to exist.
In the US, Rhodey told the President about Fury’s departure from S.A.B.E.R. There’s no way to communicate with him or Hill, so to them, they are listed as AWOL. Back in Moscow, Nick Fury had a nightly walk. It might stand out, but a girl with a colorful bounce ball stood out more. He dropped his guard, and men bagged his head. Fury was taken to Sonya Falsworth. The two remembered the lovely past they shared and the present. Sonya knew this was a different Fury. For the second time, he was told how Thanos’ actions changed him. Ever since The Snap and the Blip, Fury become a whole different person. A retired man with no steps ahead. Sonya believed he wasn’t fit for this upcoming battle with the Skrulls. It didn’t even matter if there were personal stakes. She recommended he leave back to Space. Sonya lied about Kazakhstan too. She knew about it. Fury saw past her lies and planted a camera at her place before leaving.
G’iah welcomed a lost Skrull, Beto, to New Skrullos. A Skrull-producing land where they didn’t have to hide their natural form. A place for refuge and resistance, but only the warriors can leave. The resistance held their human shell longer. It was harder for humans to distinguish them. It became more difficult to tell them apart when they took their shell's minds. In the end, Gravik will reward you. Sonya informed Hill, Fury, and Talos through the hidden camera about Vasily, who dealt with paintings and bombs. Fury was ready to go, but Talos was hesitant. He doesn’t want to hurt people, especially his people. Gravik knew how soft he was and used that against him. It was time to prove him wrong. G’iah was sent to pick up bags from Vasily. A few moments behind her were Fury and Talos. Hill spotted G’iah and followed her. Vasily let out two lies, which prompted Talos to attack him. He never let out where the bombs were. Fury shot him dead. The pain in Talos was heartbreaking. G’iah bested Hill but didn’t make it out before seeing her father. It was the first time seeing his daughter after her mother died. He let G’iah know about her passing. He told her the resistance was responsible for her mother's death. It didn’t stop her from pushing him away. The fact was he couldn’t protect anyone in her eyes. A very devastating reunion.
For the third time, Fury was told he wasn’t the same person after The Blip. This time it was from Hill. She knew something was wrong with him. Like Sonya, Hill recommended he stay out of this fight. It could get ugly, and people will get hurt. It’s time to really face reality. G’iah met with Talos and told him about the planned bombings on Unity Day. To help them know which ones were the bombs, G'iah sprayed infrared on the bags. But she let him know that Gravik knows they’ll be there. The danger is only beginning. Talos viewed this meeting as a sign his daughter was back on his side. Hill, Fury, and Talos looked around Vossoyedineniye Square for the bags. The bags were in sight until the handoff. They spotted them then Hill and Talos ran to retrieve the bags. Fury was distracted by a little girl with a colorful ball. Similar to the girl he saw the other night. He followed her until she shapeshifted into an old man he saw at the bar. He then changed into a young woman by the river. Then finally, Gravik appeared. At this moment, Hill, Fury, and Talos knew it all a decoy. With one press of a button, the bomb went off. The crowd went wild. Fury couldn’t shoot at Gravik with everyone around them. Gravik looked calmly into Fury's eyes. This is only the beginning. Hill tried to get everyone to safety. She saw Nick, but before saying anything, Nick shot her. Fury saw himself in shock. He still couldn’t shoot him. He went by Hill’s side to comfort her in her last moments. All she could whisper was, it was you. But it wasn’t him.
Final Thoughts:
Let’s address the elephant in the room. This is not going to be anything like the Secret Invasion comic. I know that might be something strange to say after the first episode, but the atmosphere that the showrunners set already provides backup for that statement. And I’m not saying it’s going to be bad because of that, either. The comic storyline is a big event. It isn’t the best for a movie arc or saga. The series uses the element of Skrulls invading Earth, but other details will be left out. It’s a high probability that no other hero will be revealed as a Skrull. I’m excited to see what this adaptation brings to the table, though. It’s a Samuel L. Jackson lead series with Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Coleman, and Emilia Clarke co-starring. I believe that alone brings so much promise. The cast is great. The style and feel of the show are welcoming since it brings the same energy as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Black Widow. Now, the main point of the episode. I’m curious to know why Fury and Captain Marvel never found the shapeshifters a new home. You would figure in a 30-year period that would be easily accomplishable. The bad blood between Marvel, Fury, and Skrulls? I understand where the anger comes from the antagonist. Gravik and other Skrulls feel betrayed. It’s sad how G’iah and Talos grew apart. They had lovely moments in Captain Marvel. Something horrible to think about is the new ability the Skrulls have, which is taking their shell’s memories. It makes it 10x harder to tell who is the real person. One of my craziest predictions would Super-Skrull to appear in the series or at least tease for a movie. I think he is pretty cool because he is man-made with the combined powers of the Fantastic Four. I know Fury has Talos by his side, but even then, how do you fight these powerful aliens? A retirement man and an individual who doesn’t want to hurt his race? I’m intrigued to see how they fair up against Skrulls. The final scene is sad. Maria Hill may not have had the biggest role in the MCU, but she is an OG. Hill’s death set the stakes. Anyone can go! The title for her credit being Special Guest Star was an “oh shit” moment. There is a part of me that believes she isn’t dead. She could’ve been a Skrull somehow, or she’ll become a Skrull later on because they did leave her body there. If they at least follow something else from the storyline, then I am positive they’ll have Rhodey set up to be a Skrull. He’s the only other hero in the series, so that’s what I’m basing it on. We’ll continue to guess next week!
** I like to add that the intro for this series was AI-generated, and I don’t like that. The idea was to have it feel like Skrulls are taking over. It’s not who you really think or something like that. I personally feel it’s better to hire real artists. Their creative minds will never be replaced by AI. Artists deserve better, in general.
Hello there! I’m happy you took the time out of your day to read my post. Remember, if you have any questions or want to have a discussion, leave a comment! Till next time comic folks! Happy days and take care!