Based on the same-titled 2008 Marvel Comics storyline, Kyle Bradstreet’s Secret Invasion miniseries for the streaming platform Disney+. It is the tenth TV show in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), created by Marvel Studios, and it follows the same timeline as the franchise’s movies. It centers on Nick Fury and Talos as they unearth a Skrull conspiracy to rule Earth. Skrulls are shape-shifting creatures. Ali Selim is the director, with Bradstreet serving as the primary writer.
The MCU’s signature wit and entertainment are mixed with an extraterrestrial invasion, a spy mystery, and an action blockbuster in Secret Invasion. In the series, Nick Fury returns to Earth to investigate a Skrull invasion plot, and both recurring characters and a number of newcomers play significant roles. But how do the episodes compare?
Ever since the first trailer, the program has several highs and lows and has received mixed reviews. Every episode has a following and also critics. It’s difficult to choose the best and the worst of anything. However, we made an effort. The Geek Twins have listed their final rankings for each episode of Secret Invasion that has been made available so far. Starting with the worst episode.
6. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Home”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Kyle Bradstreet and Brian Tucker
Season 1, Episode: 6
Airdate: July 26, 2023
Official Summary: “All hope for humanity rests on Fury’s shoulders”
A lot of time was wasted on the unsuccessful MCU series Secret Invasion. But overall, the series featured excellent work from Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Emilia Clarke, Cobie Smulders, and Olivia Colman. The show struggled with each episode and fell short of its potential.
A satisfying end to a standalone MCU story and a good tease for The Marvels was needed. But the finale, “Home”, fell short. The show had the potential to be an espionage thriller, but it ultimately fell short.
The big fight between G,iah (Emilia Clarke) vs Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) should have been epic but it was anti-climactic. And confusing. The whole struggle was between Fury and Gravik. But the final fight was between Gravik and the daughter of the main character’s best friend.
The fight between Daisy Johnson / Skye (Chloe Bennet) and Grant Ward (Brett Dalton) / Hive in the season three finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was better than this one. And we’re talking about 2016.
5. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Betrayed”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Roxanne Paredes and Brian Tucker
Season: 1, Episode: 3
Airdate: July 05, 2023
Official Summary: “Fury uncovers a rebel Skrull plot”
“Betrayal” is a poorly crafted episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series, with heavy-handed and immature twists. The show has a rich tapestry of characters but lacks a cohesive story making it unsustainable. While the show benefits from some momentum, it still feels unfocused and disparately crafted.
The events should change the way we see characters and make us nervous for the next section of the MCU’s storyline, but “Betrayal” feels like a cheap network drama. The moral ambiguity of other MCU villains like Scarlett Witch in WandaVision and Killmonger in Black Panther is gone. The show relies on heavy-handed techniques to make Nick Fury a hero and Gravik a villain.
4. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Beloved”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Brian Tucker
Season: 1, Episode: 4
Airdate: July 12, 2023
Official Summary: “Fury must make some hard choices”
Secret Invasion became a show with minimal action for 2/3 of its runtime. The series’ VFX budget increased in this episode but not its emotional impact, squandering its chance to make a mark on the MCU. “Beloved” is a good episode, but it’s also flummoxing. The series falls short of firing on all cylinders, with flat action and an underdeveloped central idea.
The biggest action scene of the season is when President Ritson is under attack from Gravik and his fellow Skrull rebels. Unfortunately, while the scene earns praise for its use of practical effects it falls short of the attack on Nick Fury in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
However, the scene between Fury and Varra is genuinely moving.
3. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Harvest”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Michael Bhim and Brian Tucker
Season: 1, Episode: 5
Airdate: July 19, 2023
Official Summary: “Fury gathers his allies. Gravik deals with unrest”
The episode of Secret Invasion lacks character development and has stilted dialogue. The finale sets up events for The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World but fails to shine again. The show’s turgid plot leads toward an inevitable conclusion.
This episode should have been the series’ big push to make the Skrull threat as all-encompassing as it should have been. After the first four episodes of the Samuel L. Jackson-led spy-thriller series, most mysteries have been solved or explained. So there’s much left to wrap up in the finale.
2. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Promises”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Brian Tucker and Brant Englestein
Season: 1, Episode: 2
Airdate: June 28, 2023
Official Summary: “Fury grapples with past and present”
Secret Invasion’s second episode fixes some of the first episode’s flaws. It focuses on the Skrulls’ discontent with Fury’s promises and their eventual war with humanity. The episode showcases the talent of Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik. The series’ plot doesn’t get much more interesting, but the performances of Jackson, Mendelsohn, and Cheadle create tension and stakes.
The reveal of young Gravik’s pain should have helped flesh out his character and motivation. While it is impactful it does nothing to explain why he would be motivated to sacrifice the entire Skrull race to conquer humanity. How his parent’s death changed him is never explained.
Compare this to Thanos’ brief explanation and how his motivation to destroy half the universe is based on balancing the scales of life in the universe. That said, the scene where Sonya Falsworth tortures a Skrull agent is the most brutal scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1. Marvel’s Secret Invasion – “Resurrection”
Directed by Ali Selim and written by Kyle Bradstreet, Brian Tucker
Season: 1, Episode: 1
Airdate: June 21, 2023
Official Summary: “Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by Skrulls”
Secret Invasion, the first TV show of the MCU’s Phase 5, starts with a thrilling plot and stakes based on past Marvel stories. The pilot brings Nick Fury to Earth, a brilliant spy with trust issues. The dark, gritty, neo-noir thriller delivers fantastic action and humor, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. The death of a major character in the first episode set up what should have been a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game. It feels unlike anything seen in the MCU before and stands as a thrilling reminder that if a show is willing to take risks it can break out of the Marvel formula.
What do you think? Which episode of Secret Invasion is your favorite? Which did you hate? Do you agree with the rankings?
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="43896 https://thegeektwins.com/?p=43896">2 Comments
I didn’t really love any of them. The whole series felt pretty pointless.
Resurrection of course, always looking for hope and good to defeat evil!