Uncovering the Hidden Gems: Exploring Easter Eggs and References in Secret Invasion Episode 2

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion Episode 2. Titled "Promises," episode 2 serves a dual purpose by continuing the storyline from the series premiere and addressing gaps in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that arose after the introduction of Skrulls in Captain Marvel. As the episode progresses and fills in these gaps, it also includes a few Easter eggs that delight the audience.

Although the Easter eggs in the second episode of Secret Invasion are not overly prevalent, they contribute to the overall coherence of the MCU. Most of the references are tied to the wider MCU rather than the comic books. However, fans will appreciate one particular Easter egg that directly relates to the comics.

The 1995 Opening Is From Captain Marvel

Skrull Emperor Drogge

In the first episode of Secret Invasion, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) and G’iah (Emilia Clarke) make their appearance. However, before delving into their story, the episode begins by showing footage from Captain Marvel. This serves as a refresher for fans, reminding them of who these characters are. The flashback to Captain Marvel smoothly transitions into 1997, where we are introduced to Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and learn about his presence on Earth for an extended period. These flashbacks serve a dual purpose - they not only connect the events but also establish the Council of Skrulls and unveil Nick Fury's wife. By incorporating previous MCU footage, the episode lays a solid foundation and engages the audience from the start.

According to Talos, there exists a Skrull colony led by Emperor Drogge. However, in the comics, the Skrull emperor is known as Dorrek, and this name is traditionally inherited by new emperors who often possess a similar war-like mindset as Gravik.

Dro'ge, on the other hand, is a Skrull character featured in the comics. Within the comic storyline, he serves as the esteemed scientist of the Imperial Court and his name does serve as a hint for what may transpire in the episode, even if he doesn't make an actual appearance. In the comics, Dro'ge's assigned task was to acquire DNA samples from captured heroes who ventured onto the Skrull homeworld. His objective was to conduct DNA experiments to generate Super-Skrulls endowed with extraordinary abilities, which seems to be precisely what another character is currently undertaking in the episode.

Rhodey References His Suit Multiple Times

In this series, Rhodey (Don Cheadle) deviates from his familiar War Machine persona, contrasting greatly with the audience's perception of him. Instead of acting as a go-between for Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and the government, he now serves the government in an official capacity. However, it is evident that Rhodey longs for the action-oriented experiences that come with being War Machine. He consistently brings up his suit throughout the episode, serving as a constant reminder to both himself and the audience that he is more than just a mediator.

Hydra And Alexander Pierce

When Rhodey and Fury meet, they discuss the latest threat to Earth. They bring up Hydra, a significant internal threat in the Captain America movies. Fury also mentions Alexander Pierce, who, similar to the Skrulls, infiltrated and aimed to take control of the organization. Pierce served as the primary antagonist for Hydra in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Despite Hydra's formidable nature, Fury emphasizes that the Skrulls pose an even greater danger due to their ability to assume the appearance of anyone, including Fury's own allies.

In an intriguing reveal during this scene, it becomes known that Rhodey has been aware of the Skrulls' search for a new home for the past 15 years. This means that Rhodey has been aware of them for nearly the entire time he has fought alongside the Avengers, while presumably, no one else had any knowledge of their existence.

Why Fury Won’t Call The Avengers

Fury emphasizes that he will refrain from contacting the Avengers due to his concerns about Skrull infiltration and the potential misrepresentation of the Avengers as terrorists. This cleverly acknowledges events from the comics where Skrulls replaced Avengers like Mockingbird. Moreover, this rationale within the story universe serves as a justification for the absence of most MCU movie characters in the series.

Groot

While eavesdropping on a scientist and one of Gravik's followers, G’iah makes a startling revelation - the scientist is extracting DNA from various creatures for an undisclosed experiment. As she delves deeper into the computer files, G’iah stumbles upon a DNA sample labeled as "Groot." Although it remains uncertain whether this refers to the renowned Groot from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, or another individual of his species, one thing is certain - it does not indicate his home planet, Planet X, as depicted in the comic books.

Frost Beast

Frost Beast DNA is among the various entities that G'iah discovers stored in the computer. The final sighting of a Frost Beast on Earth occurred during the events depicted in Thor: The Dark World. As the Aether, under the possession of Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman), caused a merging of realities, objects and living creatures from Thor's realm were inadvertently transported to Earth. After the containment of the Aether, a Frost Beast was witnessed pursuing birds along a street, making it highly likely that the DNA sample originated from this specific creature.

Cull Obsidian

Cull Obsidian stands out as an intriguing DNA sample among the listed ones. Serving as a devoted follower of Thanos, he actively participated in the monumental clashes during Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame on Earth. In the event that Skrulls were present during these battles or involved in the aftermath, there would have been an opportunity for them to acquire a sample of his DNA.

Extremis

The search conducted by G'iah reveals a DNA sample labeled as Extremis, although the origin of the sample remains uncertain. Extremis refers to a serum featured in Iron Man 3, which aimed to produce an enhanced version of the super soldier serum. However, its usage resulted in spontaneous combustion. Eventually, the serum was stabilized, evidenced by Pepper Pott's possession of Extremis, although she did not utilize its abilities post-movie.

The presence of various DNA samples extracted from individuals throughout the MCU timeline suggests that Gravik has been planning to create a machine utilizing these samples for several years. This plan appears similar to the development of Super-Skrulls in the comics, wherein Skrulls not only mimic someone's appearance and memories but also gain their powers.

Secret Invasion is available to stream on Disney Plus with new episodes dropping weekly.