The Shocking Truth Behind Secret Invasion Episode 1: Unveiling the Fate of THAT Character!

Marvel's Secret Invasion episode 1 concludes with a shocking twist - the death of Maria Hill, which will undoubtedly have significant consequences for the MCU. After making a brief appearance in Spider-Man: Far From Home, Nick Fury (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson) and Maria Hill (portrayed by Cobie Smulders) finally reunite on-screen for the first time since Avengers: Endgame. Following the events of Far From Home, it is established that Nick Fury left Earth and has been working at SABER. This absence sets the stage for the story of Secret Invasion episode 1, revealing Hill's disappointment in Fury's lack of communication.

Secret Invasion season 1, episode 1 effectively establishes the tone for the entire show by unveiling that Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) is actually one of Marvel's Skrulls in disguise. The mystery surrounding when the real Everett Ross was replaced and what became of him remains unsolved. However, the most significant twist in Secret Invasion episode 1 occurs with the unexpected death of Maria Hill, heightening the stakes for the upcoming episodes of the series.

Maria Hill's Death & Killer Explained

Maria Hill lost her life in the first episode of Secret Invasion while on an unauthorized mission. She, along with Talos and Nick Fury, attempted to thwart Gravik's Skrull group from carrying out a bombing in a public location in Russia. Gravik's ultimate plan in Secret Invasion appears to be instigating a global conflict between nuclear nations, leading to World War III and the destruction of humanity. The Skrulls had already been responsible for several acts of terrorism, and Fury believed that by stopping this impending attack, he could prevent further devastation. Unfortunately, Maria Hill was fatally shot by Gravik, who had disguised himself as Nick Fury.

The circumstances surrounding Maria Hill's death in the ending of Secret Invasion episode 1 were not only tragic but also intensified the impact. In her final moments, Hill mistakenly believed that Nick Fury was the one shooting her, when in fact it was Gravik, who had used his shapeshifting abilities to impersonate Fury. This twist highlights the theme of mistrust within the Secret Invasion storyline, where any character from the MCU could potentially be a Skrull in disguise. Moreover, Gravik's merciless act of killing Maria Hill serves as a testament to the ruthless nature of this newest MCU villain.

Additionally, the ending of Secret Invasion episode 1 offers insight into the complexity of G'iah, the Marvel character portrayed by Emilia Clarke. G'iah initially appeared to have switched allegiances and provided Talos with crucial information regarding Gravik's plan. This led Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Talos to believe that they could thwart the Skrulls' bombing attack even without assistance or allies. However, the ending of episode 1 suggests that G'iah never truly betrayed Gravik but instead led her father and his associates, including Maria Hill, into a carefully orchestrated trap. This revelation hints at the multi-layered nature of G'iah's character as a protagonist.

Was Maria Hill A Skrull & Could The Real Maria Hill Return?

In a world where any Marvel character has the potential to be a Skrull in disguise, one might speculate that Maria Hill's death could have been a ruse, with a Skrull taking her place. However, the ending of Secret Invasion episode 1 clearly depicts Maria Hill's demise, dedicating a significant amount of time to her character while the real Nick Fury makes an appearance. When the imposter Ross perishes in the opening sequence of Secret Invasion, his lifeless body gradually transforms back into its Skrull form, starting with a greenish hue overtaking Ross' face.

Considering this, if Maria Hill were indeed a Skrull, the same transformation would have occurred upon her death. Furthermore, any Skrull attempting to infiltrate Nick Fury's team would likely be under the command of Gravik. Therefore, it would be illogical for Gravik to orchestrate an attack on this hypothetical imposter Hill. Additionally, given that Nick Fury himself feigned his demise in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, utilizing a similar tactic with Maria Hill in Secret Invasion could be perceived as a cheap and unoriginal move.

That being said, the unexpected demise of Mara Hill in episode 1 of Secret Invasion was truly shocking. Hill had been an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) ever since her debut in The Avengers (2012), marking the character's transition from the pages of Marvel Comics to the silver screen. Throughout the MCU timeline, Hill had been one of the select individuals whom Nick Fury trusted implicitly, standing by his side during pivotal moments. These include the HYDRA infiltration in The Winter Soldier, the crisis brought about by Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the catastrophic day of the blip in Avengers: Infinity War, and the various escapades concocted by Fury and Talos during Fury's time in space.

How Maria Hill's Death Sets Up The Rest Of Secret Invasion

Maria Hill's demise in Secret Invasion amplifies the risks involved in the show and establishes the prevailing atmosphere for the remaining Disney+ MCU TV series. The act of Gravik masquerading as Nick Fury and ruthlessly eliminating Maria Hill serves as a stark reminder that no one can be deemed trustworthy in Secret Invasion, not even characters whom the audience believes they are familiar with. Hill was not the sole victim of Gravik's deception; indeed, it is highly likely that most viewers of the show initially perceived it as Fury aiding Hill. Moreover, Hill's untimely demise underscores Gravik's unwavering determination to accomplish his objectives at any cost, even if it means mercilessly taking lives.

Nick Fury's long-standing partnership with Maria Hill, which spans over a decade in the MCU timeline, makes her death a significant implication for him in Secret Invasion. Both Talos and Hill express disappointment in Fury's decision to hide on SABER's space station after the Blip, highlighting the potential guilt he may feel regarding her demise.

While Nick Fury has faced numerous challenges in the MCU, the loss of a partner on the battlefield could have a transformative impact on his character, unlike anything seen in the movies before. Although Agent Phil Coulson, a trusted ally of Fury, was killed by Loki in The Avengers, the MCU did not delve into Fury's grieving process for Coulson. In fact, Fury used Coulson's death as a means to unite the Avengers. However, the current situation differs as Fury is responsible for Hill and Talos being involved in this perilous mission without any backup.

In the upcoming episodes of Secret Invasion, Nick Fury is depicted as even more ruthless and reckless than he has ever been in the MCU. With the added element of Maria Hill's death, the paranoia surrounding the Skrull invasion presents a challenge unlike anything Fury has faced before. The portrayal of the Skrulls in Captain Marvel (2019), where they were depicted differently from the comics and the focus was on the Kree as the antagonists, made it difficult to envision how Secret Invasion would redefine the Skrulls as villains. However, Hill's death at the hands of Gravik establishes that this group of Skrulls can be just as dangerous as the Skrulls in Marvel Comics. Fans can catch new episodes of Secret Invasion every Wednesday on Disney+.