The MCU's Unprecedented Plot Twist Unveiled: A Mind-Blowing Phase 5 Revelation

Warning: This piece includes spoilers for Secret Invasion.

Marvel's Secret Invasion has caused significant changes to the MCU, resulting in a plot-hole in Captain America: The Winter Soldier's ending. Despite being released nine years ago, the first solo project of Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., has been altered to focus on a more personal story for Fury. However, this retcon has also made references to previous Marvel movies, such as confirming the MCU origin of Groot through a brief Easter egg and altering the Avengers' origin by revealing their connection to the Skrulls.

While the changes to the comics' story may seem reasonable, some alterations to the MCU's lore raise concerns. Previously portrayed as an untouchable master spy, Nick Fury now feels like a diminished weapon who relied on deception to achieve success, as suggested by Talos' version of his past. This also raises intriguing questions about Fury's time at S.H.I.E.L.D., particularly when the organization was infiltrated by HYDRA during the events leading up to The Winter Soldier. Similarly, the events that take place after The Winter Soldier's ending leave us with various unanswered inquiries.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier's Secret Invasion Plot-Hole Explained

In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, as HYDRA's infiltration is confirmed, Black Widow takes action to undermine Project Insight by exposing all of HYDRA's secrets, as well as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s, to the world just as the helicarriers are about to be destroyed. Although Alexander Pierce warns her of the consequences that will uncover her own past sins, she sacrifices her anonymity to reveal HYDRA's existence to the world. However, a revelation in Secret Invasion nearly a decade later poses a problem.

In Secret Invasion, it is revealed that S.H.I.E.L.D. was aware of the Skrull invasion in 1995, as evidence of a "Phil Coulson Skrull" was included on Fury's official rap sheet. This confirms that S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA were aware of the presence of shape-shifting aliens on Earth in the 1990s. Therefore, when Black Widow leaked the database containing this information, it should have exposed the existence of aliens and the threat of invasion back in 2014. Surprisingly, the general public in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains completely unaware of these shape-shifting aliens, which would have caused significant chaos.

The Winter Soldier's Ending Never Really Mattered

Nine years later, the MCU has surprisingly faced minimal consequences from the significant secret reveal in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. None of the individuals targeted by Project Insight were aware of being on HYDRA's hit-list, otherwise Doctor Strange would have known about his near-death experience before becoming a superhero. Surprisingly, S.H.I.E.L.D. managed to survive, albeit in a diminished state, contradicting the established canon in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Furthermore, Bucky's Winter Soldier trauma was conveniently resolved with minimal explanation. Similarly, Black Widow's crimes had no real impact on her, as she continued to be an active Avenger until her death. Even Nick Fury's supposed death, previously hidden from those outside his circle of trust, was later revealed without any clear explanation. In retrospect, considering the undermining of HYDRA's secrets in Secret Invasion, one may question the true significance of these events.

New episodes of Secret Invasion air every Wednesday on Disney+