Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers for the finale of Secret Invasion. In the series, a group of Skrulls attempts to take over Earth by infiltrating positions of power. However, the villains in Secret Invasion, like the Flag Smashers in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, fail to pose a legitimate threat to the heroes. This lack of danger and impact weakens the storylines and the overall quality of the shows.
Gravik, the leader of the Skrulls in Secret Invasion, plans to make Nick Fury suffer by replacing influential people with Skrulls. The Skrulls would then reveal themselves and claim Earth as their new home. However, this plan is overly complex and fails to consider the outnumbered position of the Skrulls. Additionally, the impact of Gravik’s plan on the general population is not explored, further reducing the stakes of the story.
Moreover, Gravik’s personal vendetta against Fury is not effectively portrayed. Despite his claims of wanting to harm Fury, Gravik misses multiple opportunities to kill him. His lack of determination weakens his character and diminishes the threat he poses.
Similarly, the Flag Smashers in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier fail to convincingly challenge the heroes. Their initial ideology of unity and helping others is overshadowed by their violent actions, ultimately undermining their credibility as a threat. Just as Gravik’s plan lacked impact on the human population, the Flag Smashers’ actions had little effect beyond a superficial change in the heroes’ surroundings.
Instead of focusing solely on physical threats or death as the ultimate punishment, these shows could explore deeper psychological impacts on the heroes. Breaking their spirits or provoking significant personality changes would be more compelling alternatives. Without meaningful consequences for the heroes, these shows risk becoming forgettable updates rather than engaging stories that drive audience investment.
To learn from more successful projects, the Marvel shows should prioritize the strength of their villains. The recent Loki series effectively establishes Kang the Conqueror as a formidable adversary, raising the stakes and creating anticipation. Placing the heroes in genuine danger and presenting them with seemingly insurmountable challenges engages viewers and strengthens the overall narrative.
Ultimately, the Marvel Cinematic Universe must address its villain problem to maintain consistency and viewer interest. Whether through political thrillers or cosmic adventures, compelling and impactful antagonists are vital to the success of future Marvel shows. If characters like Gravik and Karli Morgenthau had posed real dangers and challenges to the heroes, Disney+ series could have become the cultural phenomena they were intended to be. Without strong villains, the interconnected aspect of the MCU loses its appeal.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
