Secret Invasion Episode 1 Ending Explained, Cast and Plot
by Mathelene
Updated Jun 21, 2023
Secret Invasion Episode 1 Ending Explained
In the midst of Fury, Hill, and Talos' efforts to stop Gravik's strike, Gravik consistently outmaneuvers Fury, successfully executing his attack and weakening Fury on multiple fronts. Fury's presence in Russia during the attack indirectly implicates the U.S., and the existence of a terrorist organization called Americans Against Russia, revealed to be one of Gravik's puppet regimes, further complicates matters. It appears from an outside perspective that Fury has gone rogue and is working against America's interests.
Adding to the devastating blow, Gravik also eliminates one of Fury's most trusted allies, Maria Hill. Her death weighs heavily on Fury, as Gravik, disguised as Fury himself, was responsible for killing her. This moment is incredibly harrowing for Fury, and it forces him to reevaluate his strategies and prioritize the protection of his loved ones.
However, despite the significant impact of these events, there is a lingering feeling of emptiness. Taking Maria Hill off the board in Secret Invasion, while a logical choice to hit Fury where it hurts, feels frustrating. Hill has been a consistent ally to Fury since her introduction in The Avengers, yet her character has often been sidelined in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is disappointing to see such a charismatic actress like Cobie Smulders relegated to a diminished role, considering Hill's significance in Marvel Comics.
Secret Invasion presented an opportunity to delve into Hill's emotional journey and give her character the exploration she deserved. With Fury stepping out of the shadows and leading his own adventure, it would have made sense for Hill's role to deepen as well. While the series attempted to explore her relationship with Fury, especially in the aftermath of the Blip, it feels like too little, too late.
Tragically, Hill dies in Fury's arms in the first episode, and it appears that she was not a Skrull in disguise. This means that the character is gone for good. Marvel has missed opportunities in the past to fully develop characters with potential, but the frustration is heightened considering the untapped potential of Maria Hill.
Secret Invasion' Episode 1 Recap
The opening of "Resurrection" sets the stage with Richard Dormer's frantic narration as Agent Prescod in a safe house in Moscow. The theory presented is that a series of terrorist attacks are actually orchestrated by Skrulls who have ambitions to claim Earth after being promised a new planet by Nick Fury and Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel.
Everett Ross, portrayed by Martin Freeman, is informed of this theory but is attacked by Prescod and pursued by a presumed Russian assassin. In a surprising twist, the assassin turns out to be Talos, while Ross, seemingly dead after falling from a building, is revealed to be a Skrull impostor, but not one associated with Talos.
Gravik, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, is now a member of the Skrull council and is stoking hostility among displaced young Skrulls who lack a home. He is hiding in an off-the-books nuclear plant in Russia, using the radical group Americans Against Russia (AAR) as a front for an impending terrorist attack. Agent Prescod had discovered schematics for a dirty bomb that supported his theory about Gravik's plan to provoke a war between the United States and Russia.
Sonya Falsworth, portrayed by Olivia Colman, an MI6 agent, becomes interested in Fury's return but remains unaware that Fury has bugged one of her ornaments, allowing him to gain information about the AAR plot. The story also explores the villains' perspective, introducing New Skrullos, a refuge for displaced Skrulls located in a decommissioned nuclear plant.
G'iah, Talos's radicalized daughter played by Emilia Clarke, shows Beto, a Skrull refugee played by Samuel Adewunmi, around the place. New Skrullos focuses on Skrull agriculture and traditions, and those seeking refuge there have the option to assume human "shells" to make identification more challenging.
The narrative brings the characters together as G'iah is tasked by Gravik's right-hand man, Pagon (Killian Scott), to retrieve a bomb from the bombmaker Propischchin (Uriel Emil). Simultaneously, Fury, Talos, and Maria attempt to interrogate Propischchin while evading Sonya and MI6.
The mission ends disastrously with a fight between Talos and Propischchin, resulting in Fury shooting the Skrull dead. Maria pursues G'iah but fails to capture her. G'iah returns the bomb to Pagon but secretly meets with Talos to inform him about the impending attack, revealing there will be three bombs and three couriers, including herself, marked with infrared spray.
It is also revealed that Gravik has knowledge of Talos's involvement, although the source of his information remains unclear considering the secrecy surrounding Talos and his operatives.
Secret Invasion Episode 1 Plot
In the Czech Republic, Everett Ross secretly meets with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Prescod, reveals a global conspiracy orchestrated by Skrulls. Their goal is to create conflicts worldwide as part of a plan for a Skrull takeover. When Ross offers to inform Nick Fury about the situation, Prescod attacks him. Ross manages to defend himself and kills Prescod. He then escapes, being pursued through the city streets. In a desperate situation, Ross contacts Maria Hill for assistance.
As Ross falls in front of Hill, she confronts his pursuer at gunpoint, who turns out to be Talos, a Skrull ally of Fury. The injured "Ross" reveals himself to be a Skrull imposter, and Talos refers to them as a group. Meanwhile, Nick Fury returns to Earth after being on the S.A.B.E.R. space station prior to the events.
He meets with Hill and Talos, who informs him that the Skrulls are upset because Fury has not fulfilled his promise to provide them with a home, leading to Talos being expelled from the Skrull Council and growing distant from his daughter. Talos also reveals that Gravik, a former ally of Fury's, has gained influence among the Skrulls and is capitalizing on the dissatisfaction of the younger Skrulls to instigate conflicts.
Agent Prescod's intel reveals that he was monitoring a group called Americans Against Russia, which Gravik plans to use as a front for committing acts of terrorism to escalate tensions between the United States and Russia. In Washington D.C., James Rhodes briefs the U.S. president on Fury's departure from S.A.B.E.R. and informs him about Fury's contact with Hill. The president instructs Rhodes to take action against Fury and Hill.
Secret Invasion Episode 1 Cast
Samuel L. Jackson
Nick Fury
Ben Mendelsohn
Talos
Kingsley Ben-Adir
Gravik
Killian Scott
Pagon
Samuel Adewunmi
Beto
Dermot Mulroney
Ritson
Richard Dormer
Agent Prescod
Emilia Clarke
G'iah
Olivia Colman
Sonya Falsworth
Don Cheadle
James "Rhodey" Rhodes (War Machine)
Cast
Character
Secret Invasion Trailer
Secret Invasion Episode 1 Ending Explained - FAQs
"Secret Invasion" is a television series based on the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name.
Nick Fury, the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., returns to Earth after spending years working with the Skrulls in deep space.
Talos is a Skrull and an ally of Nick Fury. He leads a Skrull sect and assists Fury in uncovering the global conspiracy. Talos has previously appeared in the film "Captain Marvel."
Yes, "Secret Invasion" is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and is connected to other Marvel projects.
The main conflict in "Secret Invasion" revolves around the Skrulls' plan to infiltrate Earth and create conflicts that will facilitate their takeover.