Shocking Plot Twist! Marvel's Secret Invasion Drops a Decade of Unfulfilled Promises on Fans

The death of Maria Hill in the first episode of Secret Invasion does not fulfill the potential of her character's legacy. As Hill, Nick Fury, and Talos work together to stop the renegade Skrull's attack on the Unity Day festival, Hill is unexpectedly shot and seemingly killed by Gravik, who is disguised as Fury. Secret Invasion promised an unpredictable journey with its shapeshifting Skrulls, but the early death of this character was not anticipated by many.

Although Maria Hill has typically played a supporting role, she has been an iconic presence in the MCU since the early days of the Avengers. She has always been a loyal companion to Fury, and it was expected that Secret Invasion would continue this dynamic. Actress Cobie Smulders even stated that Secret Invasion would provide a deeper exploration of Maria Hill's character, raising expectations for her to have a significant role. By killing her off early in the series, her story is abruptly cut short. While the MCU often finds ways to bring characters back, if Hill is truly dead, it would be a major failure for Marvel in developing her character.

Why Secret Invasion Killed Maria Hill

Fury and Hill have a long history of collaboration, with a strong bond of trust and friendship between them. The loss of Hill, following the death of another trusted partner, Phil Coulson, will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Fury. The decision to kill off Hill early in the series serves as a wake-up call for Fury, highlighting the consequences of his actions in abandoning the Skrulls. This pivotal moment raises the stakes for both Fury and the audience, setting the stage for the rest of the series.

Secret Invasion Killing Maria Hill Repeated An Awful Superhero Movie Trope

Killing off Maria Hill as the driving force behind Fury's actions may seem like a selfless sacrifice, but it falls into the tired trope of using female characters' deaths as a means to further the development of another, often male, character. This practice undermines the individual journey of these female characters by suggesting that their existence is disposable in service of the overarching narrative.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has not shied away from this trend of sacrificing female characters for plot purposes. Black Widow's death, for example, was seemingly necessary to acquire the Soul Stone, yet Marvel could have easily chosen to have Hawkeye meet this fate in Avengers: Endgame instead. In fact, it might have made more sense for a remorseful Clint Barton, seeking redemption for his past actions, to face this consequence. Similarly, Gamora was sacrificed by Thanos for the Soul Stone, and although she eventually returned, the version of her that underwent significant growth is now lost to the MCU. Even the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has recently followed suit, with Barry Allen's mother's murder serving as a major catalyst for his own story.

Maria Hill Never Got Her Own Real MCU Story

Maria Hill, a core pillar of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), made her debut in The Avengers in 2012. Despite her dedicated years, she has never been given her own solo MCU story. The opportunity to delve into her character was anticipated with the release of Secret Invasion, especially considering previous comments from Cobie Smulders. However, after watching episode one, it appears that Hill's story will end without proper closure. Unless Secret Invasion unveils her death as a deception, Hill's departure from the MCU will leave her legacy unresolved.

One of the major criticisms surrounding episode one of Secret Invasion revolves around the treatment of MCU icon Maria Hill. The show was expected to be a thrilling espionage political drama, offering the perfect platform for Hill to display her true capabilities. Unfortunately, her death seems to serve as a necessary catalyst for Fury's character growth in the series. Even if Secret Invasion finds a way to bring Hill back, the MCU has already failed her by reducing her to a damaging trope.