Warning: The following content contains spoilers for Secret Invasion on Disney+. Do not continue reading unless you have watched episodes one to four.

That’s settled, then

Congratulations to everyone who correctly predicted that G’iah (Emilia Clarke) would survive being shot by Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) in episode three. Enjoy a Smartie – or your preferred sweet treat.

As the credits started to roll, we were shown a quick flashback of her giving herself the Super-Skrull treatment. Then, we saw her sitting up on the road where she had been shot, with the wound glowing and healing. It was quite an impressive trick. It also makes sense – would Marvel really bring in Emilia Clarke for only three episodes in a minor role, just to kill her off before her story becomes more interesting? Most likely not. Here’s a piece of advice, G’iah, if you happen to be reading this – if your enemies believe you are dead but you are actually alive and can shapeshift, it may be a good idea to change your appearance so you cannot be recognized.

We will forever have Paris.

In 2012, we arrived in Paris, France. It was clear it was a flashback because Nick Fury (played by Samuel L Jackson) was wearing his signature eyepatch. From the newspaper that Priscilla (portrayed by Charlayne Woodard) was reading, we found out that the Avengers had recently destroyed New York City in order to protect the Earth from Loki and the Chitauri. Priscilla wanted to praise her husband for bringing together the most powerful heroes on Earth.

Following a brief moment of poetic expression, we returned to the present time where Priscilla, with a new hairstyle, is seen in a flashback meeting James “Rhodey” Rhodes (played by Don Cheadle).

In the church, it was revealed that Priscilla has been actively working against Fury and her ultimate goal is to eliminate him. If she fails, Rhodey will be ordered to kill her. Personally, I preferred when he was Iron Man’s assistant rather than Gravik. Meanwhile, Fury was eavesdropping on their discussion. It’s hard to say which realization was more painful for him: the fact that his marriage was a lie or the acknowledgement that others have noticed his age and physical decline.

At the runway, Gravik tells Pagon (played by Killian Scott) that G’iah was the traitor, but he seems unaware that she is still present.

Alive and well, we witness her engaging in conversation with her father, Talos (played by Ben Mendelsohn), who expresses regret for placing her in such a dire situation. “All I need is a plan from you. What is your strategy for finding our people a new home?” she inquired. He proceeded to outline his vague plan – defeat the enemies, then approach the US president with a bargaining chip and negotiate for a new territory. There are 1 million Skrulls, and Talos seems to believe that the president will simply hand over a state for them to inhabit. I am not well-versed in international affairs, but I cannot help but think that this is overly optimistic at best. “You’re delusional,” G’iah remarked to her father. Indeed.

Fury v Fury

This week’s standout moment was the confrontation between Fury and his wife regarding her betrayal. He stood by his decision to not change anything, even if he had known she was a spy for the Skrulls. She then shared the story of how she chose Priscilla’s appearance.

Fury then enters Rhodey’s hotel room to confront his former friend about being a Skrull. He offers him some whiskey and secretly adds a liquid tracker to his drink.

Endgame

We quickly realized Gravik’s primary intention – to sabotage the motorcade en route to the Russian meeting and take on the role of President Ritson (played by Dermot Mulroney). Gravik was able to demonstrate his impressive Groot-like abilities (a reference to the computer screen G’iah was previously viewing).

Fortunately, Fury and Talos showed up to provide assistance, shatter a window, and save Ritson. However, this would be Talos’s final deed. He was injured by Pagon and fatally stabbed by Gravik before being abandoned on the runway by Fury as they escaped with Ritson.

He strongly believed that the Skrulls simply needed to reveal their true identity to be accepted by humans. Despite his green skin, the doubtful soldier only needed Fury’s declaration that he was on their side for everything to be okay. Maybe Talos was correct from the beginning?

What next?

Talos is no longer present, G’iah has returned, the president has been rescued, Rhodey’s secret identity has been revealed, and Gravik has displayed his destructive abilities. I am curious as to why, with his newfound invincibility, increased strength, and ability to stretch his limbs like a tree, he did not make quick work of the soldiers in the final battle instead of hiding behind a car and commanding his men to shoot.

Notes and observations

• Priscilla referenced righteousness when discussing Fury. Perhaps a nod to Pulp Fiction?

• The episode’s title, Beloved, relates to the Raymond Carver poem Priscilla was reading. Late Fragment was his final poem, from A New Path to the Waterfall, completed shortly before his death in 1988.

• Rhodey, please don’t confuse your wrestlers and their signature moves. I would argue that the DDT is more commonly associated with Jake “The Snake” Roberts, rather than The Undertaker.

• The expensive and elusive bourbon that Pappy Van Winkle 23 is enjoying in Rhodey’s hotel room is highly coveted. If one were to come across a bottle, it could cost up to £6,000. This explains why Fury wanted Rhodey to fully savor every sip.

  What are your thoughts? Are you still here? Please share your opinion in the comments section.

Source: theguardian.com