Secret Invasion is now streaming on Disney+.
By Greg Wheeler
The fifth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe commences with Secret Invasion, a Disney+ series consisting of six episodes running for approximately 35 minutes each. The season can be likened to a three-and-a-half-hour Marvel movie, although lacking the clear direction and well-defined intentions you’d expect a film to have.
Secret Invasion does not stand as a fulfilling television series with its own distinct arcs and purpose. Instead, it serves primarily as a springboard for the company’s next theatrical release, The Marvels, and other upcoming MCU projects in the next few years. As a result, viewers might be left with a bitter taste as the concludes, undoing much of the promise offered in the first two episodes.
Since Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios has seen a real decline, as the franchise has made numerous mistakes in its attempts to kickstart its new wave of heroes and stories. While there have been notable exceptions like Moon Knight and Loki, the new focus on streaming series has been lackluster. If Disney is smart, Secret Invasion will prompt a reconsideration of their output. If MCU shows are just meant to be introductory and lack creative intent, merely functioning as setups for crossover films, what purpose do they truly serve?
Secret Invasion begins with an ominous suggestion of an alien invasion of Earth by the Skrulls, shape-shifting creatures whose planet fell victim to internal conflict, leading many to abandon it. The new faction of Skrulls, led by Gravik, establish their base in the abandoned area of Chornobyl, Russia. Nick Fury returns from deep space exploration to join forces with Talos, another Skrull who seeks to protect Earth from this planned invasion.
Gravik’s plan is simple: instigate conflict among the world’s superpowers, allowing the Skrulls to exploit their vulnerability. G’iah, Talos’ daughter, initially supports Gravik but changes her loyalties after discovering his ruthlessness and disregard for Skrull life. Sonya Falsworth, a high-ranking British intelligence officer, closely monitors the plan and Fury’s efforts to prevent it. However, the task becomes even more challenging as world governments are heavily infiltrated by Skrulls.
While there was anticipation that Secret Invasion would take the MCU in a darker, more mature direction, this failed to materialize. Pre-release marketing heavily promoted this as a gritty portrayal of Fury, delving deeper into the character’s defeated, worn-out, and guilt-ridden persona beneath his heroic exterior.
Marvel found an imposing villain in Gravik, difficult to stop, and a worthy nemesis in G’iah, fueled to be pitted against him. Even Talos and Sonya Falsworth (portrayed by talented actors Ben Mendelsohn and Olivia Coleman, respectively) had the potential to be strong additions. However, the end result proved unsatisfying, evident in the underwhelming finale.
Things took a downturn after a strong opening in the first two episodes. Although it may seem trivial, the episode’s time frame significantly impacted creative limitations. Introducing many characters for the first time required better planning and writing to spread out the plot proportionately. The episodes lacked cohesion, leaving a noticeable disconnect when watched consecutively.
The limited time led to several arcs being stunted. Gravik’s motivations were conveyed in a mere 5-minute flashback, and while his journey had a beginning and end, the middle was lacking. The same applied to G’iah and Sonya, both underutilized. G’iah, in particular, suffered from insufficient development, making it challenging for viewers to invest in her character.
The relationship between Fury and Priscilla was also inadequately explored and lacked meaningful development. The blame for this falls not only on the writers but the entire technical team. Despite the show’s dubious vision, the final execution remains subpar. Consequently, Secret Invasion leaves much to be desired, becoming a disjointed sum of its parts rather than a satisfying whole.
I give Secret Invasion a C.
TV and City 