Editor’s Note: The upcoming content contains spoilers for Episodes 1-5 of Secret Invasion.
Secret Invasion has failed to fully explore the intriguing concept of the Skrulls’ massive population on Earth. With approximately 1 million Skrulls residing on our planet, they are reduced to mere plot devices in service of Nick Fury’s storyline. Killing off Talos, who shared a deep bond with Fury, serves no narrative purpose and undermines the significance of the Skrulls. Instead, the series prioritizes shocking character deaths over delving into the complexities and motivations of the Skrulls, relegating them to background roles.
As we approach the conclusion of Secret Invasion’s six-episode run, there remain numerous loose ends to tie up. While it’s not unusual for a Marvel project to have some loose ends, it feels more pressing considering the storyline being adapted. Based on the 2008 comic event written by Brian Michael Bendis, Secret Invasion compelled Marvel’s heroes to question the loyalty of even their closest allies. Although the MCU’s adaptation diverges from the source material, the absence of the Avengers is a notable change. Instead, the series leans into the realm of espionage, with Nick Fury taking the lead as the protagonist. This alteration works to the series’ advantage, as it allows for a more mature tone in both the dialogue and action. However, despite elevating its content, the series falls short in providing satisfactory answers to the questions it raises, thus reducing the Skrulls to mere plot devices.
Let’s discuss the alarming population of Skrulls. As established in Captain Marvel, the Skrulls are not dissimilar from humans. The majority of their species are kind and humble individuals who sought refuge on Earth after losing their home planet in a devastating war against the Kree. To avoid rejection, they blended in with humanity, assuming human forms. After the events of Captain Marvel, Talos, the leader of the Skrull Council, and a small group of Skrulls returned to Earth and began collaborating closely with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. through their shapeshifting abilities. Over the years, as Fury ascended to become S.H.I.E.L.D.’s director, tensions grew between him and the Skrulls due to his unfulfilled promise of finding them a new home. In the second episode of Secret Invasion, Talos reveals to Fury that there are approximately 1 million Skrulls on Earth, a staggering fact that significantly alters the MCU. Unfortunately, the series fails to explore this subject in depth, instead depicting the majority of Skrulls in human form without giving them much attention before they are swiftly eliminated by Fury, Sonya Falsworth, or even other Skrulls. Although they inhabit human bodies, their alien nature allows for heightened violence within the confines of the MCU’s TV-14 rating. Consequently, Skrulls can undergo brutal torture or be shot in the head, with purple blood flowing freely.
Talos’ death in Episode 4, “Beloved,” serves no purpose to the overall story of Secret Invasion. It leaves Fury devastated, as he witnesses his closest friend and confidant, Talos, brutally murdered by Gravik. While it is a heart-wrenching moment, it feels strikingly similar to the death of Maria Hill, another close friend of Fury and a long-established MCU character, in Episode 1. Maria’s shocking demise effectively establishes the stakes and motivates Fury to investigate Gravik and his plans. However, the killing of Talos lacks a clear motive. The series had spent the preceding episodes building a strong bond between Fury and Talos, showcasing their exceptional chemistry and vulnerability with each other. Talos served as a vital connection to the Skrulls and their culture, and his sudden demise raises the question of whether Skrulls are merely expendable. Furthermore, Talos’ death emphasizes the prioritization of Fury’s story over the exploration of the Skrulls, undermining the essence of Secret Invasion.
Secret Invasion seems fixated on shocking its audience with character deaths, evident in three out of the five episodes released so far. However, the focus on deaths detracts from the central theme of the Skrulls and their cause. Talos passionately stresses the importance of finding a new home for the Skrulls, whereas Gravik’s anger towards humans stems from his struggle to find a place where he can truly exist. Despite these compelling conflicts, the series opts for violence instead of expanding on these concepts. Skrulls in positions of power are killed, and explosions occur without offering a deeper exploration of the Skrulls’ complexity as individuals. The Skrulls are portrayed as a fractured people, with those who don’t blend in among humanity residing in a Russian nuclear power plant under Gravik’s command. However, when Gravik kills his right-hand man, his followers react with fear. Shortly after, they launch a coup against him without any on-screen discussion. This lack of exposition diminishes the intricate backstory established for the Skrulls in the MCU. The only Skrulls we’ve truly come to know, aside from G’iah, have already been murdered by Gravik, leaving the rest nameless and lacking any significant presence or development. This portrayal contradicts the cause Gravik supposedly fights for, as he appears to disregard the well-being of his fellow Skrulls. His master plan in the penultimate episode involves bombing New Skrullos, which goes against the Skrulls’ ultimate objective and the reason they supported him. This glaring flaw further highlights the show’s disregard for the Skrulls’ importance.
In conclusion, Secret Invasion fails to fully explore the intriguing concept of the Skrulls’ population on Earth, treating them as mere plot devices. Talos’ death serves no narrative purpose and diminishes the significance of the Skrulls in the series. The focus on character deaths detracts from the central theme of the Skrulls and their cause, leaving their complexities and motivations largely unexplored. Secret Invasion prioritizes Fury’s story over the Skrulls, resulting in a missed opportunity to delve into the rich potential of this comic event adaptation.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
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.
