Secret Invasion episode 1 of the Marvel series raises intriguing questions about the actions of Nick Fury regarding the Skrulls. The episode reveals that the promise made by Captain Marvel and Nick Fury to protect the Skrulls was not fulfilled, as they were left behind in deep space. As a result, a younger group of Skrulls, led by Gravik, plan to invade Earth in search of a new home. Nick Fury, who has been in space for many years, returns to Earth to assist his former ally Talos in stopping this invasion. The episode leaves viewers wondering about the reasons behind Nick Fury's presence in space and his decision to abandon the Skrulls when they needed him.
Why Nick Fury Was In Space Before Secret Invasion
Fury's presence in space was first hinted at in Spider-Man: Far From Home, where it was revealed that Talos and his wife were impersonating Fury and Hill, while the real Fury was on an unidentified space station. Secret Invasion episode 1 finally reveals the purpose behind Fury's presence in space and how his mission has evolved.
Fury's mission in space was centered around a station called SABER, as mentioned in Secret Invasion episode 1. This name is referenced twice in the episode, first by the Skrull posing as Everett Ross and later by President Ritson. SABER is an MCU space station that was also teased in the trailer for The Marvels, set to be released in November 2023. While the specifics of Fury's mission with SABER were previously unclear, Secret Invasion episode 1 unveils that he was overseeing the construction of SABER as a sophisticated aerospace defense system.
This likely originated from the numerous extraterrestrial invasions that Earth has endured in the MCU. While the Avengers were successful in safeguarding the planet against otherworldly dangers like Loki, the Blip from Avengers: Infinity War demonstrated that they cannot always emerge victorious. Despite ultimately triumphing over Thanos and restoring some semblance of normalcy to the universe, Thanos proved that the Avengers are not invincible. This presumably prompted the U.S. Government, along with Fury himself as he discusses his crisis of faith in Secret Invasion, to initiate the development of SABER as a primary defense against alien threats. This sheds light on Fury's absence from Earth before the events of Secret Invasion.
Why Nick Fury Deserted The Skrulls & How
Many Easter eggs in Secret Invasion episode 1 allude to the events of Captain Marvel. Talos mentions that Fury and Carol abandoned the Skrulls, leaving them feeling deserted. Although Secret Invasion does not provide specific details on how or why this occurred, certain lines of dialogue suggest that Fury's crisis of faith plays a significant role in the series. Following the Blip, many characters notice a change in Fury, indicating that his crisis of faith led him to dedicate all his time to SABER. He no longer trusts himself or the Avengers to consistently protect humanity.
After the five-year Blip, Fury ventured into space to focus on his work with SABER and has remained there ever since. This suggests that he may have neglected his responsibilities towards the Skrulls, prioritizing his work in space over his promises to them. While the first episode of Secret Invasion does not explicitly reveal the events that transpired on the Skrull homeworld established by Captain Marvel, which led to Gravik and other displaced Skrulls seeking to invade Earth, it is highly likely that this unknown incident is connected to Fury's abandonment of them.
As Secret Invasion unfolds and provides more insight into its narrative and characters, as well as the time Fury spent with SABER in space, the true reason behind his desertion of the Skrulls will undoubtedly come to light. It is plausible that Fury's unwavering dedication to perfecting the space station, SABER, ultimately drove him to forsake the Skrulls. By ensuring the success of the space station, he may have believed he could safeguard the Skrull homeworld that he played a part in establishing. Regardless of the specifics, it is evident that Skrulls like G'iah and Gravik hold Fury accountable for their present predicament, leading them to infiltrate Earth, the planet they have come to consider their new home.
How The Blip Changed Nick Fury's Space Mission
The impact of the Blip on Nick Fury's mission in space remains undisclosed in Secret Invasion episode 1, just like the reason behind his departure from the Skrulls. Nonetheless, it is evident that the Blip significantly influenced Fury's decision to establish SABER and subsequently abandon it due to his ongoing crisis of faith. Secret Invasion marks the first MCU project since Avengers: Endgame to delve into the post-traumatic stress caused by the Blip, with Fury still grappling with the aftermath of vanishing due to Thanos' snap and returning five years later. This trauma compelled Fury to completely detach himself from Earth and focus on SABER.
As previously explored, Fury's unwavering dedication to SABER inadvertently led to the Skrull infiltration of Earth, thereby instilling in him a sense of responsibility for the titular invasion. Consequently, he abandoned SABER and returned to Earth, joining forces with Maria Hill and Talos to thwart Gravik's invasion. These series of events make it evident that the Blip had a profound impact on Fury's space mission. Prior to the Blip, his mission revolved around collaborating with his superpowered allies to safeguard the innocent inhabitants of the MCU cosmos, a commitment that was evident as far back as the 90s in Captain Marvel and throughout the Infinity Saga.
Fury's mission took a new direction after the Blip. Drawing on his SHIELD days, he started to place his trust in organizations like SWORD. SABER, likely born out of SWORD, emerged as a way to safeguard Earth following the Avengers' initial defeat to Thanos and their subsequent retirement. This shift led Fury to prioritize establishing methods, such as SABER, to enhance the protection of humanity and other sentient beings across the universe, rather than directly assisting individuals like the Skrulls. It is hoped that Fury's involvement with SABER and his abandonment of the Skrulls will receive further exploration in the future, adding depth to the intricate characters of Secret Invasion. Don't miss new episodes of Secret Invasion, premiering every Wednesday on Disney+.