Warning: Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion episode 3. In this episode, the Marvel Cinematic Universe explores the theme of betrayal with the help of numerous Easter eggs. However, unlike traditional comic book references, these Easter eggs serve as connections to the larger MCU, highlighting the interconnectedness of Secret Invasion with the rest of the universe.
Throughout the episode, which delves into the theme of betrayal, Fury finds himself questioning the trustworthiness of those around him, including Talos, his own wife, G'iah, and others. To further delve into Fury's history with the Skrulls, Secret Invasion also incorporates flashbacks to the 1990s. Additionally, tensions rise between Talos and Gravik regarding G'iah, leading to a climactic confrontation. Fans can discover these specific Easter eggs scattered throughout Secret Invasion episode 3.
The First Mention Of Super Skrulls
Dreykov’s Men In 1998
: The groundwork for Super Skrulls in Secret Invasion has been subtly laid out through numerous Easter eggs. However, it is in episode 3 that they are first mentioned, courtesy of Gravik. In his attempt to persuade the Skrull Council, Gravik reveals his plan to ensure the Skrulls' triumph over humans in their quest for Earth's dominance. He affirms that Super Skrulls possess the ability to replicate superpowers.In 1998, when Fury rendezvoused with the Skrull operative who would become his wife, he received an envelope containing valuable intelligence on "Dreykov's men." Dreykov was first mentioned in The Avengers when Loki referred to Natasha Romanoff as "Dreykov's daughter," and fans were finally able to witness him in action in the Black Widow movie. As the head of the Red Room, Dreykov has been orchestrating the creation of the deadly Widows for decades. During the 1990s, Dreykov had his operatives embedded in the United States, specifically Natasha Romanoff and Yelena Belova, who were undercover as sisters during their childhood.
Gravik’s Healing Hand
When Gravik and Talos convene at the museum, Talos succumbs to anger over Gravik exploiting his daughter. In a fit of rage, he ruthlessly thrusts a knife into Talos' hand, piercing through the flesh. Undeterred, Gravik calmly removes the weapon from his hand, witnessing an extraordinary phenomenon: a vivid orange glow emanating from his wound as it magically mends itself. Notably, this precise hue corresponds to the manifestation of Extremis, one of the genetic components discovered within the Skrull computer during the second episode. This revelation suggests that the experiments involving diverse DNA have already achieved success with Gravik.
Fury’s Skrull Network
Talos emphasizes that Fury's ascent to higher ranks and remarkable success at SHIELD would not have been possible without himself and his Skrull operatives. This clever retcon effectively acknowledges the numerous instances in the MCU where Fury appeared to possess uncanny foresight. In truth, he had strategically placed shape-shifting Skrulls across the globe, who supplied him with vital information instead of regular SHIELD agents. It comes as no surprise then that Fury always seemed to have an abundance of knowledge readily available to him.
“No One Calls Me Nick”
When Talos is captured by the Skrull that he and Nick Fury are chasing, the Skrull tries to pretend to be Talos. However, Fury sees through the deception because the other Skrull addresses him as "Nick," a name that no one else uses for him. This references a line from Captain Marvel, where Fury says the same thing. But it also serves as a clue for fans. In episode 2, James Rhodes also called Fury "Nick" during their meeting when Rhodes was supposed to fire him. This is just one of the many clues that have been mounting in the series, suggesting that Rhodey is actually a Skrull undercover in the US government.
The Voice On The Phone
In an effort to reach out to Gravik, Nick Fury's wife utilizes a concealed phone. However, instead of hearing Gravik's voice on the other end of the line, she is greeted by Don Cheadle's voice, who portrays James Rhodes. This strongly suggests that the prevailing fan speculations about the character being a Skrull are indeed accurate.
New episodes of Secret Invasion stream weekly on Disney Plus.