Marvel’s Secret Invasion Season 1 Episode 2 Review

Marvel’s Secret Invasion is back with Season 1 Episode 2, “Promises,” and things are taking a turn for the exciting. This outing is definitely a step up from the premiere. I’m still not happy with the Maria stuff, but I’m willing to overlook it if the narrative is thrilling enough. As long as the show maintains this momentum along with the darker tone, we’re good. 

“Promises” provides more context regarding Nick Fury’s connection to Gravik and his mission to provide Skrulls with a home. It also sows the seeds of conflict between Fury and Talos and damn near starts a war between the US and Russia. The performances are solid across the board, with Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Olivia Colman, and Kingsley Ben-Adir being absolute standouts. 

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Brixton, London. 1997.

We open with Nick Fury in London two years after the events in Captain Marvel. He meets young Gravik, a shy Skrull who lost his parents. The woman who introduces Gravik to Fury urges the latter to let the boy assist with the cause.

Initially, Fury hesitates, considering Gravik’s age, but he ultimately allows it after chatting with him. Then, Fury delivers a speech to a group of Skrulls while standing next to Talos. Fury reveals he needs help protecting the Earth, which will require any volunteering Skrulls to don a human appearance. In exchange for their contributions to keeping the planet safe, Fury vows that he and Carol Danvers will find them a home. “This is the promise.”

Next, we see most of the group step forward, changing their exteriors from Skrull to human. G’iah and Gravik, however, remain in their Skrull form. G’iah especially looks skeptical. 

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Tell Me Something I Don’t Know

We flash forward to the present, right after Gravik detonates the bombs. He and G’iah escape the aftermath of the destruction. Fury weeps over Maria Hill’s body. A strange man grabs Fury and drags him away, throwing him in the back of a van. Once in the driver’s seat, the man transforms into Talos. One man is arrested at the scene who insists he’s an American.

Later, on a train, authorities question passengers if they’ve seen Fury in Russia. He was identified at the bombings via CCTV footage. After a blonde woman reveals she hasn’t spotted Fury, she retreats to her car, where she morphs into Talos. Our shapeshifting alien is keeping busy today.

Let’s Play a Game

Talos informs Fury that it’s okay to sit in the car now. Fury launches into a story about his childhood growing up in Alabama. He talks about a game he used to play on the train with his mother. So, he decides to bring the game back one last time. Fury asks Talos to tell him something he doesn’t know about the destruction of Skrullos. Talos claims Fury knows everything about that, though. 

Fury’s interrogation-style “game” transitions to the question of how many Skrulls are on Earth. Fury is shocked to discover one million of them are on the planet. Talos and Fury argue about Fury’s dedication to finding the Skrulls a new home. Perhaps they can all live in peace on Earth. Unfortunately, humans can’t even coexist peacefully, as Fury rightfully points out, let alone allow for another species in the equation. Angry at his friend, Fury kicks Talos off the train. 

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Bringing Her Home 

Fury is present when the US military brings Maria’s body to London. Maria’s mother asks Fury about how her daughter died. He doesn’t give her a straightforward answer, which is par for the course in these situations. Eventually, he tells her he was the target, and Maria became collateral damage. Maria’s mom hopes Fury will ensure her daughter’s death wasn’t in vain. I can’t believe this is still real. I was really hoping the Maria we saw die was a Skrull who simply transformed off-screen. Sigh. 

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Breaking News

Then, on a breaking news segment, the American man, Martin Wallace, is still under arrest in connection to the Moscow Unity Day bombings. The UK Prime Minister and other international officials denounce the attacks while Russia prepares to declare war against the United States. Well, Gravik’s terrorism worked — now the infighting starts. The humans will undoubtedly obliterate themselves. 

Later, G’iah drives Gravik back to New Skrullos. She asks if he knew Nick Fury was going to be there. He claims he had an inkling and wanted to see for himself. Gravik notes how old Fury looks now. Yes, humans involuntarily engage in this biological phenomenon called aging. Wow!

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Climbing Up the Ladder

Gravik attends a meeting with the Skrull Council. He hands a gun to G’iah and urges her to shoot the security guard if he doesn’t emerge in one hour. In the meeting, we see the UK Prime Minister is a Skrull, along with the NATO Secretary General and Chris Stearns, the news anchor from the earlier segment. You’re a Skrull; you’re a Skrull … everybody’s a Skrull! 

The council scolds Gravik for taking the mission too far. He killed 2,000 people while inciting warfare between two nations. Gravik claims that drastic times call for drastic measures. He then tries to install himself as the head of the council. He promises to make Earth the exclusive home of the Skrulls, but they must trust him to fulfill that vow. Gravik needs to have unchecked power and the authority to make decisions without protests from the council. The council votes to make Gravik their leader. Only one council member votes against Gravik. He reassures her that she can leave the meeting safely. 

While outside, the woman calls Talos to let him know what happened. Admittedly, I figured Gravik would have her killed for turning against him. Anyway, she informs Talos about Gravik’s quest for total power. It’s getting ugly. 

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An Investigation

G’iah does some snooping at New Skrullos. She observes while the scientist, Rosa Dalton, discusses their scant supplies. Pagon, Gravik’s right-hand man, reveals the “Harvest” wasn’t there. Rosa remarks that it’s back to scavenging. Their DNA selection is also minimal. Hmm. Something’s up. 

Next, we see Rhodey, our fearless colonel, answering questions about the Moscow bombings. You know, the ones that are being pinned on the US. The reps from other countries aren’t fond of Rhodey’s answers, but the investigation process is ongoing. He certainly knows how to play the political game. After the press conference, Fury calls Rhodey. The pair then set up a meeting at a restaurant. 

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“You’re Fired.”

Rhodey and Fury chat in an empty restaurant about the consequences of Fury’s involvement in the bombings. Fury claims he and Maria were there to stop Gravik, but that doesn’t matter. Fury is all over the CCTV footage. Our former S.H.I.E.L.D. director reminds Rhodey who got him his job. That’s irrelevant now — Rhodey has more power than Fury thinks. Fury mentions the Skrull invasion on Earth, which Rhodey already knows about. He suggests they call the Avengers. However, Fury insists on stopping the invasion solo. The Skrulls’ shapeshifting abilities make this fight 10 times worse. 

Rhodey finally gets to the meat of their conversation — Fury’s employment termination. Ya fired, Fury. Rhodey has already arranged a flight to take Fury back to the US. But this is Nick Fury. He doesn’t go away quietly with his tail between his legs. He departs before Rhodey can get in another word. I love watching Samuel L. Jackson and Don Cheadle play off each other. You can sense the history between them even if you don’t have extensive MCU knowledge. 

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“What does that tell you about me and doors?”

Next, Sonya barges into a butcher shop in Russia. The man behind the counter wonders how Sonya gained ingress. Her response made me giggle, especially, “What does that tell you about me and doors?” Olivia Colman’s comedic approach is so subtle and understated, which makes this character funny.

Sonya enters a meat locker where the Russians are interrogating Martin Wallace. She kicks them out. MI6, baby. Then, she removes one of his fingers with a pair of pliers. We then see it transform into a Skrull finger. Gotcha. Sonya orders him to tell her about Gravik’s plan. 

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Research

G’iah researches Dr. Rosa Dalton on the computer. She finds info on the doctor’s DNA experiments, including the sourcing of Groot (we all know him), Frost Beasts (as seen in Thor: The Dark World on Jotunheim), and Cull Obsidian, one of Thanos‘ adopted children and a member of the Black Order. So, is Dalton sourcing from the aforementioned’s DNA to make Skrulls stronger?

Gravik asks G’iah what she’s looking at on their computer circa 1995. G’iah claims she is monitoring Beto’s progress. Gravik orders G’iah to accompany him on a rescue mission. There they found Brogan, aka Martin Wallace. 

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To the Rescue 

Meanwhile, Sonya employs other methods of torture to get Brogan to talk. She boils his blood, for starters, which doesn’t sound like fun. Brogan mentions Gravik is building a machine to “make us stronger.” Hmm. That is why Dr. Dalton has those DNA files. Brogan discloses a married couple with the last name Dalton is leading the science. Well, he’s revealed too much already. Gravik won’t let him live. 

Suddenly, Gravik and his team burst into the butcher shop. Sonya escapes via a hatch in the floor before the fighting starts, leaving Brogan chained to a chair. Gravik kills all the Russians therein, even putting a meat hook to use for one of the deaths. It’s undoubtedly one of Marvel’s more creative fight sequences. After Gravik prevails, he and his team save Brogan. Brogan insists he only told Sonya lies. 

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Coming Home

While en route to New Skrullos, Gravik eventually orders G’iah to pull over in the woods. He hands Pagon a gun. Then, Pagon takes Brogan off the road and shoots him in the head. I love the framing of this shot — we see Pagon’s and Brogan’s outlines and hear the gunshot while the camera mainly focuses on Gravik’s and Gi’ah’s facial expressions. Brilliant. 

Later, we see Fury uncover a car in storage, which he drives to a lavish home. A Skrull woman, Priscilla, cuts vegetables inside. Fury enters the house with a sense of familiarity. The woman spots him. However, before finally approaching her, he must put on his wedding ring. The Skrull transforms into a human woman, and they kiss. Dun, dun, dun!

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What Comes Next?

I love the MCU Easter eggs on Dr. Dalton’s file. Clearly, she’s DNA harvesting from some intriguing sources. Here’s hoping she leaves the actual Groot alone. Groot himself is a Flora colossus from Planet X. Dalton’s experiments must yield some fruit. Why? In one of the trailers, Gravik’s arm shoots out like a tree limb à la Groot. He better leave “I am Groot” alone. There’s only room for one MCU character with that catchphrase. But I digress. 

“Promises” ends on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Fury’s wife is a Skrull! This certainly adds a new layer to Fury and his inability to find Skrulls a new home. I’m curious to see how this affects his actions moving forward. Also, he needs to mend fences with Talos. I adore their friendship. 

What are your theories for episode three? Do you think Fury is equipped to handle this fight alone, or does he need Avengers-level backup? Join the conversation alongside other Marvel fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in the Let Your Spoiler Sideshow: MCU Phase Five Facebook Group, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!