The Ultimate Ranking of Secret Invasion's Mind-Blowing Twists!

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for episode 3 of Secret Invasion titled "Betrayed." The MCU's Phase 5 has been filled with surprising twists that have the potential to greatly impact the franchise. Secret Invasion, which premiered on June 21, 2023, focuses on Nick Fury's return to Earth to confront a rebellious group of shape-shifting Skrulls led by Gravik, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir. Their goal is to eliminate humanity and make Earth their new home, fueled by the betrayal of Nick Fury and Captain Marvel, portrayed by Brie Larson, who failed to fulfill their promise to find the Skrulls a safe haven. While inspired by the 2008 Secret Invasion comic event, the MCU adaptation has chosen to veer away from involving the Avengers, instead presenting Fury as the sole protagonist in this espionage and crime-thriller narrative. The recent release of Secret Invasion episode 3, "Betrayed," has revealed eight significant plot twists that have permanently altered the landscape of the MCU, leaving viewers eager to uncover what surprises lie ahead. The show's skillful utilization of paranoia has made each twist completely unexpected, keeping audiences guessing about what awaits them in the future.

8 Soren Has Been Killed By The Skrull Rebels

Sharon Blynn debuted as Soren in the 2019 film Captain Marvel and appeared briefly in a post-credits scene in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Soren, portrayed as the wife of Talos, a former Skrull General, was initially shown living with other Skrull refugees on Mar-Vell's laboratory in Earth's orbit. They were awaiting help from allies. In Secret Invasion episode 2, titled "Promises," Soren appeared briefly in a flashback to 1997 Brixton. In this episode, Soren was portrayed by Charlotte Baker as a human and Kate Braithwaite as a Skrull. However, it was revealed early on in Secret Invasion that Soren is currently deceased.

The details of Soren's death have not been shown in Secret Invasion. However, Talos informed his adult daughter, G'iah (played by Emilia Clarke), that her mother was killed by Gravik and the Skrull resistance. The circumstances surrounding this event are not well-known, but it was surprising to discover that Soren had died between the events of Far From Home, set in 2024, and Secret Invasion, which takes place only a year later. It is likely that future episodes of Secret Invasion will delve into the details of Soren's death, especially since Talos will undoubtedly seek revenge against Gravik, as seen in the events of Secret Invasion episode 3.

7 Everett Ross Was A Skrull In The MCU

In Secret Invasion episode 1, "Resurrection," Martin Freeman's character, Everett K. Ross, shocked audiences by being revealed as a Skrull. Ross, previously seen as a CIA Agent and Deputy Task Force Commander, first appeared in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, where he worked with Tony Stark and the Avengers. He then became a key figure in the Black Panther franchise before becoming a fugitive in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This caused confusion among fans regarding his involvement in Secret Invasion.

The revelation of Everett K. Ross being a Skrull from the very beginning of Secret Invasion episode 1 creates an atmosphere of mistrust throughout the series. It is unclear how long Ross has been a Skrull in the MCU, but it is possible that he was replaced long before his debut in Captain America: Civil War. Another possibility is that he was copied between the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Secret Invasion. In Wakanda Forever, Ross was freed from prison by Okoye, the new Midnight Angel in the MCU, and is currently hiding from the United States government.

6 MCU's Phase 5 Will Introduce The Super Skrulls

Before its premiere in June 2023, trailers for Secret Invasion hinted that Kingsley Ben-Adir's Skrull character, Gravik, would be enhanced during Phase 5 of the MCU. This led to speculation that the show would introduce Super Skrulls into the MCU, which has now been confirmed in episodes 2 and 3. However, the Super Skrulls have been altered significantly from their original portrayal in the Marvel Comics. In the comics, the Skrull Kl'rt gains the abilities of the Fantastic Four, but since the Fantastic Four have not made their debut in the MCU yet, Marvel Studios has creatively replaced their powers with abilities from previous MCU characters.

In episode 2 of Secret Invasion, it is revealed that the Skrulls have collected samples from Guardians of the Galaxy's Groot, Thor: The Dark World's Frost Beast, Cull Obsidian from Thanos' Black Order, and Extremis, which was last seen in Iron Man 3 in 2013. These samples will grant the Super Skrulls in Secret Invasion abilities similar to those possessed by the Fantastic Four. In episode 3, Gravik uses the Extremis sample to heal his injured hand. The introduction of superpowered Skrulls in the MCU is a frightening concept and could potentially alter the balance of power in the upcoming episodes of Secret Invasion.

5 There Are A Million Skrulls Living On Earth

New information emerges in Secret Invasion episode 2 regarding the Skrulls' assimilation into human society. Flashbacks to 1997 Brixton and a conversation between Fury and Talos on a train reveal intriguing details. During their journey, Fury engages Talos in a game of "tell me something I don't know," delving into the Skrulls' homeworld destruction and the plans of the Skrull resistance. Astonishingly, Talos discloses that there are approximately one million Skrull refugees living on Earth, far surpassing the few known Skrulls integrated into human communities.

Nick Fury is completely taken aback by this revelation, unaware of the significant number of Skrulls seeking refuge on Earth. The presence of a million Skrulls living disguised as humans poses a grave threat, as not all Skrulls are allies, as evidenced by Secret Invasion. Notable figures among these Skrulls include British Prime Minister Pamela Lawton, NATO Secretary General Sergio Caspani, and FXN news broadcaster Chris Stearns, although the potential identities of Skrulls stretch far beyond these individuals.

4 Nick Fury Is Married To A Skrull

Charlayne Woodard made her debut in Secret Invasion episode 2 as Priscilla Fury, the enigmatic wife of Nick Fury. It was revealed that Priscilla, who is actually a Skrull named Varra, had been working with Fury since 1997 to locate and protect Skrulls, including a young refugee named Gravik. The episode ended with the revelation that Varra and Fury have been married for several years. Episode 3 delves into the beginning of their relationship in 1998, marking a significant twist for Secret Invasion and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it explores a previously unexplored aspect of Nick Fury's personal life.

In Secret Invasion episode 3, it is revealed that Varra was devastated by Fury's apparent death following Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War. She was left as a widow for the five years until Fury returned in Avengers: Endgame. However, shortly after his return, Fury chose to leave Earth voluntarily to work on the SABER Space Station, once again leaving Varra behind. Understandably, Varra harbors resentment towards Fury for this. The dynamic between Fury and Varra is intriguing, especially since she had never been mentioned before, except perhaps as a ruse in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There is even a popular theory that suggests Gravik could be Fury and Varra's adoptive son, which would have significant implications for the events of Secret Invasion.

3 Priscilla Fury Could Be Working For Gravik

The possibility of Gravik having a familial connection to Nick Fury in Secret Invasion gained further support in episode 3. In a conversation between Fury and Varra, Fury hints at their deeper connection by asking if she had any interaction with Gravik while he was away. It seems that Gravik's charm and cause may have influenced Varra, as she is seen retrieving a gun from a safe deposit box and attempting to contact Gravik at the end of the episode. This suggests that Varra might actively join Gravik's cause in the upcoming episodes of Secret Invasion.

Following the weapon retrieval, Varra receives a phone call from an unidentified man labeled "Man on Phone" in the show's subtitles. This call could potentially bring about an important twist in the series. The voice on the phone bears a striking resemblance to Don Cheadle's James "Rhodey" Rhodes. Cheadle, who portrays Rhodey, has returned for Secret Invasion, although his character no longer suits up as War Machine and instead serves as a trusted aide to United States President Ritson. However, there is also a popular theory suggesting that Rhodey might be a Skrull in Secret Invasion.

2 Gravik Killed G'iah In Secret Invasion Episode 3

Following her initial appearance as a child character in Captain Marvel, which took place in 1995, Emilia Clarke made her debut as the now-adult G'iah, the daughter of Talos and Soren, in Secret Invasion. G'iah's motivations in Secret Invasion have caused confusion, as she is both a high-ranking member of the Skrull resistance and has been secretly providing her father with information about their plans. However, in a shocking twist, Gravik discovered her betrayal and ultimately killed G'iah in episode 3 of Secret Invasion. This not only came as a major surprise due to her death, but also because it raises the question of whether Emilia Clarke's involvement in the MCU has come to an end.

Nevertheless, there is still a glimmer of hope, as there are unreleased clips featuring Emilia Clarke as G'iah in the trailers for Secret Invasion. While this could be a deliberate tactic from Marvel Studios, and G'iah may indeed be deceased, there remains a possibility that the human she had replaced could awaken, allowing Emilia Clarke to continue her role in the future of the MCU. Additionally, a popular theory suggests that G'iah may have already exposed herself to the Super Skrull experimental machine, granting her the ability to regenerate her body using Extremis and potentially match Gravik in combat.

1 Maria Hill Was Killed By Gravik (Disguised As Nick Fury)

In a surprising twist, the first episode of Secret Invasion concluded with Maria Hill's shocking demise at the hands of Gravik. Cobie Smulders, who previously portrayed Hill in The Avengers, made a notable appearance as the high-ranking SHIELD agent, often in the company of Nick Fury, in various MCU projects. Given her prominence leading up to Secret Invasion, it was completely unexpected for Hill to be killed in the closing moments of the premiere episode, seemingly by Nick Fury himself, only to later be revealed as Gravik in disguise.

The death of Maria Hill in the debut episode of Secret Invasion signaled a significant shift in Phase 5 of the MCU, highlighting that no character is immune to a sudden and dramatic demise. It also underscored the Skrulls' ability to impersonate anyone, as Gravik took on the appearance of Nick Fury to carry out Hill's assassination, leaving her with the haunting belief that her longtime friend was responsible for her death. This tragic development took the Marvel Studios fanbase by surprise, as Secret Invasion unexpectedly began with the loss of a character who was poised to play a significant role in the series.

New episodes of Secret Invasion release every Wednesday on Disney+.