Secret Invasion Episode 3 Review: An Episode Between Light and Shadow | Disney Plus
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Samuel Adewunmi, Killian Scott, Katie Finneran, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Don Cheadle, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman
Director: Ali Selim
Streaming Platform: Disney+
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3/5 (three stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
After the Secret Invasion Episode 3 premiere, we have officially reached halfway with the story of the Skrull invasion on Earth and the threat is becoming more and more worrying. In the last episode of Secret Invasion, we left a wounded and defeated Fury, abandoned by the American government and back home, in the arms of his wife who, surprisingly, is also a Skrull. On the other hand, we had instead left Gravik in a delusion of omnipotence, ever closer to the realization of his plan and intent on creating an army of super soldiers to face the human response to his attacks. In Secret Invasion Episode 3 we do not make too many steps forward in terms of the overall plot, at least until the end. The episode is very vertical, it revolves around a precise threat and is resolved at the turn of its completion, but right towards the end it opens up scenarios that will inevitably be explored next week. Let’s, therefore, throw ourselves into the analysis of this episode of the Disney+ series, from the story of what we have seen to the sensational twists of the episode finale.
If we have praised Secret Invasion over and over again for its radically different tone from other MCU productions and praised Marvel Studios ‘ new serial adventure as this change perfectly accompanies the type of story told, the feeling halfway through is that something it’s not in the right place yet. It is a bizarre feeling to almost completely find the components that have been wondering about for years and in any case not feeling 100% satisfied: the darkest, most mature, most violent, most complex story made of espionage and high voltage operations is here, it should make us rejoice and instead we are only pleased with it and little more. And it is a feeling that goes beyond the immediate defects found, such as the excessive phlegm of the second episode (here you can retrieve our review of Secret Invasion Episode 2) or the staging of some sequences that could have been more accurate and slower – Gravik’s scene with the Council is perhaps the most striking case, it goes a little too easily from revulsion to acceptance.
Secret Invasion Episode 3 Review: The Story Plot
Gravik’s (Kingsley Ben-Adir) plan continues to develop uninterruptedly, and his machinations are increasingly taking possession of an Earth on the verge of collapse and chaos, but he knows he has a traitor in his ranks and organizes a trap to capture him. Meanwhile Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), thanks to the information provided by G’iah (Emilia Clarke), desperately try to slow down what would effectively be a Third World War. Now, let’s start from the basic assumption: this is by no means a disappointing or annoying episode to watch, on the contrary, it is full of well-crafted if not very impactful scenes. The expected comparison between Talos and Gravik, first of all, in terms of presentation, charm, and incompatible worldviews that inexorably collide can only stand out and demonstrates for the umpteenth time the charisma of the Skrull leader, who in contrast with the vast majority of MCU-branded villains take action and work.
avoiding getting bogged down in an endless preparation phase that allows the heroes to save the universe every time. In short, he is a tangible threat far more intimidating and fearsome than the dark elves of Thor: The Dark World or Hawkeye’s Tracksuit Mafia. She’s a macabre figure who will stop at nothing to carry out his plan, from which we learn more details – with some faint references to Fantastic 4. But we’re just wildly speculating. And of course, we cannot fail to mention the entire closing sequence of the episode, full of pathos and suspense where every second counts and could be decisive, as every thriller should do.
Secret Invasion Episode 3 Review and Analysis
The main problem that, at least from our point of view, is afflicting Secret Invasion is therefore not the management of its main plot, but a no less crucial aspect: the characterization of its protagonist, Nick Fury finally at the center of a project after having been a part of the MCU since its inception. The intuition of bringing a Fury in some ways exhausted, a little weak, and marked by the recent follies caused by Thanos is sensible and intriguing, first of all, because it is already one of the rare situations in which the Blip has had a real impact on the Cinematic Universe – otherwise shamefully ignored as if it never happened. But it is a decision that must above all be framed in the context of a path, of growth that he will have during the miniseries to complete his last battle. Doesn’t seem like such a crazy assumption, does it?
But Secret Invasion is betting a large portion of its chips on what’s bugging him and so far, we know absolutely nothing. And we’ve already had at least 4 characters give Fury the same thing – you vanish with the Blip, you come back changed and then you vanish again. It’s becoming an extremely annoying endless roundabout; a good thriller would have already spread some substantial clues to generate curiosity and give context to a protagonist that is particularly different from the usual. At the moment, halfway through the series, the only result we have left in hand is a considerable amount of playing time repeated ad nauseam with no clues, no clues, and an aura of mystery that is deflating.
Secret Invasion Episode 3 gives a lot of space to explore the relationships between the protagonists, giving important moments in this sense. At the center is Talos, perhaps the most complex character in the series, completely split between love for his daughter, the desire to safeguard one’s people, and the goal of stopping Gravik. Precisely with the latter, Skrull has a tough confrontation, showing all his suffering for the boy’s decisions and also leaking a discreet personal resentment that will be exacerbated by what happened to G’iah. Secret Invasion Episode 3 also showcased several passages on the relationship between Fury and Talos, really beautiful and profound. Seeing Nick apologizing is certainly something unexpected, but Skrull’s confession was also striking, who candidly admitted that he had turned against Gravik precisely because of his loyalty to his friend.
The Disney+ series is delving into this really interesting relationship, which may be the key to success in winning this silent war and certainly constitutes one of the deepest and most loyal bonds in the entire MCU. Other relationships, then, are decisive for the unfolding of the plot of the Marvel series. We have mentioned the one between Fury and his wife, all to be discovered in the next episodes, but also the link between the super spy and Sonya Falsworth can be fundamental, considering the woman’s abilities. In war, on the other hand, relationships are important, and the impression is that it will be precisely these, their solidity and their stability, that will make the difference.
We are far from the final, still half of the episodes, so there is much to discover. Secret Invasion Episode 3, however, opens implications for the future, especially the near future, but perhaps even further away. The main issue to be resolved is that of the fate of G’iah, which as mentioned could completely change the behavior of Talos. The implications of his death are enormous, not least because the Skrull could seriously feel responsible considering his demand on his daughter, which cost her the attack of Gravik. In short, G’iah’s future is yet to be discovered and that of Talos and consequently also that of Fury will depend on this, who will have to face the upheavals of his most precious ally and now his most trusted friend.
The other major implication to be resolved soon is that linked to Fury’s wife and the hypothesis that Rhodes is on the phone, so it is difficult to make predictions, while the powerful revelation that will surely characterize the rest of the Marvel miniseries is that, already mentioned in the last episode, of the creation of the Super Skrulls. Gravik has spoken openly about it and there is no doubt that this will be the ultimate threat, an army of enhanced aliens that Earth must contend with. Ultimately, Secret Invasion Episode 3 is a largely transitory episode, very self-defined, but still capable of throwing pebbles in the finale, indeed real stones, to be found in the next episodes. The scenario does not change: the Skrull threat is always skyrocketing and Gravik seems to have the situation under control, for Fury and Talos the task is difficult and G’iah’s death could make the picture even darker. The response to the series is also unchanged compared to a week ago: Secret Invasion convinces with its spy story format and so far, it has been able to keep the pace high and the tension constant.
Secret Invasion Episode 3 Review: The Last Words
Halfway through the miniseries, Secret Invasion offers an episode that in all respects offers the best and the worst of the new Marvel Studios serial production. The strengths are the usual: the confrontation scenes – in this case between Talos and Gravik – are a marvel to watch and shine for their staging, the spy part and more devoted to the thriller manages to have its say with a final sequence full of pathos where every second counts, the Skrull leader finally confirms himself as a villain of excellent workmanship. The most serious problem, however, unfortunately, falls on the characterization of the protagonist, currently incomplete. How many times should we hear that Fury, once back from the Blip, was it different and went away? Why hasn’t Secret Invasion dropped the clues yet to heighten the curiosity and sense of mystery? It’s becoming a rather annoying endless circle, which undermines an intriguing intuition that for once could face the consequences of Thanos’ snap.
Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn
