What Went Wrong with the MCU's Secret Invasion?

While Secret Invasion drew in audiences, there were multiple things the show could have done better.

This article contains spoilers for the MCU's Secret InvasionMarvel's Secret Invasion left many fans disappointed, despite the immense excitement buzzing around the show's release. The stakes felt low; there were multiple unanswered questions and no attempt to hint at future resolution, and various characters in the show were not as compelling as promised.

And while Secret Invasion drew in audiences, there were multiple things the show could have done better. Fans hoped for more, but as the show came to an end, many were disappointed. This may just be another show Marvel may need to learn from to enhance further enhance projects in the future.

While the reveal of James Rhodes, or 'Rhodey', being a Skrull brought higher stakes to the show with a Skrull posing as an Avenger, many fans were disappointed in how Rhodey's Skrull identity was depicted. While the audience discovered Rhodey's true identity, Fury learned of Rhodey's Skrull identity off-screen.

When the real Rhodey is discovered in the season finale by G'iah, the hospital gown he wears and his struggle to walk may be an indicator of when Rhodey was first captured and the new Skrull, Raava, took his place. Since Rhodey lost mobility in his legs in Captain America: Civil War, it is assumed that he could have been taken anytime after those incidents.

Because of this, many fans have theorized that Rhodey has been a Skrull since Captain America: Civil War, and Director Ali Selim even confirmed the theory in an interview with ComicBook. This would drastically change every appearance of the character since then, making extremely heartfelt moments like Tony's death in Endgame lose much of their impact.

Related: This Huge Secret Invasion Reveal Changes Everything for the MCU

The final battle between G'iah and Gravik was quick, and the involvement of two completely new characters lowered the stakes immensely. The CGI was subpar compared to other previous projects, and multiple moments where G'iah and Gravik displayed various body parts from MCU characters were extremely cheesy. Even though the two were evenly matched, Gravik was defeated too easily with no real reason behind it.

Gravik's Super Skrull machine gave him and G'iah dozens of powers, supposedly from the blood of the events of the battle in Avengers: Endgame, but some of the powers they received leave questions on that origin. Where did the extremis power as well as Ghost's powers come from? G'iah assumed so many powers that she is now presumably the most powerful character in the MCU, yet her future (and another MCU tie-in) is unknown.

Secret Invasion may have promised too much to the audience, leaving many fans wanting more from the project. The comic storyline of the same name incorporated much higher stakes and a longer buildup that the show just couldn't do in the same capacity. No previous projects teased a Skrull takeover. The concept may have been better if Secret Invasion were a movie that was led up to for an entire phase, making the project a tipping point for an immense buildup.

The lack of Avengers in the show lowered the stakes immensely, as the storyline always involves big players in the Marvel universe. Multiple new characters were introduced, and took up more screen time debating the stakes, but the audience had no real grasp of the discussion. Many of the deaths don't seem to make a large impact on the final climactic battle. Both Maria and Talos seemingly died without major

Nick Fury is one of the coolest characters in the MCU, especially with the brilliant performance of Samuel L. Jackson, but Secret Invasion depicted the once great leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a shell of what he once was, despite the promises of a strong and fearsome version. The upcoming film, The Marvels, may show audiences a stronger and greater Nick Fury from the effects of the show, but Fury seems to be utterly defeated at the start of show, and not much changes by the finale.

Related: Secret Invasion: How a Forgotten Animated Series Does the Marvel Storyline Better Than the MCU

The show's promotional material promised an MCU espionage show focused on alien xenophobia and political unrest and controversy. Yet, as the show went along, it quickly changed to a focus on the challenges of marriage and political overreactions. There are too many themes that are never fully addressed, making the real main identity of the show absent.

Many fans are unsure how the show may lead into other upcoming Marvel projects, and while no future MCU projects hint at a tie-in, there may still be projects already announced or in the works that will address the events of Secret Invasion. Fury will be appearing in The Marvels in a few months, so fans will just have to wait and see.

Hannah is an avid film lover and enthusiastic writer. When she isn’t writing, you can find her pursuing a film degree, having adventures, or, most likely catching up on some film and tv.