Running A Strange Game On Us

Oh say, can you see? Does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave? Or do you regard it as just a flag, until you feel it is falling into the wrong hands. As some are celebrating Independence Day, a group of Earthlings are making a declaration, rather quietly. If you don’t open your eyes and pay attention this time Earth may be lost. And everyone can blame one man, with one good eye.

Secret Invasion, the newest series from Marvel Studios, began streaming on Disney+ on June 21, 2023. Before making the decision to become embroiled in this sci–fi spy series, you need to let go of some long held misconceptions. You’re going to have to acknowledge that aliens actually exist among us and unfortunately, they want war.

From the start, Secret Invasion sets you up to look at everyone suspiciously. A secluded location in Russia marks the meeting place for two C.I.A. agents. From the tense tone of their talk you can tell that at least one of them is threatened by what he has discovered. Despite any potential duplicity, there is a moment where any doubts disappear. Then, just like that, in the blink of an eye something shifts, leading one agent to attack the other. They scuffle, falling to the floor, with one choking the other until being fatally shot. The surviving agent escapes, now with an additional adversary in pursuit, until he finally makes a desperate call to another operative for assistance. Now with nothing more than that knowledge, who is the enemy?

Secret Invasion’s central thematic question is straightforward – even visible on the series posters. Who can you trust? There is however, a hidden secondary statement that comes to the surface. That question is for how long? Here again there is more than one way to look at these words; one obvious, the other obscure. Since trust isn’t a constant, similar to all life’s complexities it had a conception; and a date of cancellation.

Now let’s inspect that episode 1 opening scene a little more clearly. Taking a gander at the operative who requests the meetings in Russia, who is dangling a carrot to get what he wants, well it is Agent Prescod of the C.I.A. Yeah, never heard of him, wouldn’t know him from Adam. Let’s turn to the other agent, the one who arrives at the safehouse in Russia. Well, will you look at that, it’s none other than Agent Edward K. Ross. You’ve seen him before. Heck, even the Wakandans trust him, and they don’t trust anyone easily; or at all actually. Now, if that isn’t enough to convince you who the mole was during the fight, what if you discovered it was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill who was helping Ross escape pursuit. Unfortunately, Hill arrives just as the C.I.A. agent is fatally shot by the Russian who was chasing him. Did we all just witness the murder of Agent Ross?

NOPE

Ever since WW2, air pilots have told tales of encounters with little green men supposedly from Mars. In 1995, the MCU made first contact with the Skrull race, along with missing pilot Carol Danvers. Turns out reports of Danvers’ demise were incorrect, instead she became a warrior serving the Kree, until eventually regaining her memories and becoming Captain Marvel. This allowed her to return to her earlier mission, helping the Skrulls find a new homeworld, now with some assistance from a young Nick Fury. This was in no way seasoned, former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. he is today, so Danvers existence alone would have already been world changing. But imagine discovering you’ve been secretly working with a Skrull. Who aren’t all men, nor little, and they can look green – or you. Also, they aren’t from Mars, instead their long gone homeworld, Skrullos, was part of the Andromeda Galaxy. That is a lot of information to work with. Sometimes misdirection is the key. Making you miss the moment you should be asking, What If?

Even if Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t completely consistent with the comic book 616, meaning that Nick doesn’t necessarily have a father floating around by the same name, he is nonetheless grandfathered into the world of espionage. In fact, you could consider Fury a founding father to the Avengers, as well as this Secret Invasion.

Whether it is in direct combat or dialogue, victory is often achieved by confusing one’s opponent and controlling where they place their focus. Creating false indicators and exploiting, sometimes escalating situations allow individuals operating on the fringe to control the narrative. For the majority of Phases 1-3 of the MCU, those tasked with protecting the people of Earth were acting under false pretenses. Fury even admitted once, though forces were working against life on the planet, the origin of these threats was not of this world. Now, if humanity meets its end, the galaxy may believe it was of mankind’s own making. And they wouldn’t be half wrong.

The room where it happens shows up in a scene that starts Secret Invasion episode 2. Viewers get a glimpse of the gravity of the situation for the Skrulls in 1997. They are still without a homeworld, with some having found refuge on Earth. One of them, named Gravik, arrives at the moment Nick Fury makes a grand gesture, a bold proclamation from the good people of this planet. Here is when worlds begin to collide for the young Skrull. The act of offering something – even if only an illusion, and allowing others to make some investment, only for them to end up with nothing isn’t new. This is big business, remember. The difference in Secret Invasion is that the Skrulls are not powerless. Still, their pledge might as well have been a plea, considering historically either act can be done while on bended knee.

Helping solidify the deal, and sealing several fates, was Tallus. The senior Skrull was the first alien that Fury encountered. In Nick’s own words their relationship began with a lie. Was it then that Tallus set the basis for the rest of their dealings. Instead of tell me something I don’t already know, were they always playing tell me what I want to hear? And help me win the game.

Many legendary battles have been waged and won on the field, while others take place in the heart and the mind. Either way, best bring a good mouthpiece – a pastor, politician or pundit typically works. As episode 2 later reveals that now, decades after that day in 1997, members of the Skrull high council also sit at seats of power throughout the world. As influencers in the world of media, business and politics to witness these figures vote to promote Gravik to general makes their actions more than merely treason to their “own” country – but the entire civilization.

In the 616 Universe, this deception would work so well, the Secret Invasion was well underway before even the Avengers would discover a Skrull disguised as Jessica Drew, aka Spider-Woman. So it’s quite ironic that the first bit of this tangled little web showed up during the end credits scene from Spider-Man: Far From Home. This may have been the first time you noticed a Skrull in the MCU since the events that took place in Captain Marvel. The next time would be episode 9 of WandaVision’s end credits. Each time it appears a Skrull was acting, in good faith, on Fury’s words, again.

So Gravik, unfortunately, may not be the Skrull that should draw the greatest concern from the audience. Maybe Gravik is like Wanda and Pietro, having grown up as a child caught in the crosshairs, being positioned by powers so desperate to control tomorrow they make decisions that bring those fears to life today? Fear which eventually leads to suffering. Whether its the Age of Ultron or a Time to Kill…a Mockingbird.

The Man Who Sold the World

Was it all for nothing? Looking back, there doesn’t appear to be any deception with Mrs. Hill’s words. It was just hard to accept her account at the time. Especially considering it was speaking against such a well regarded public servant, questioning the character of this black man. Now battle lines, even though invisible, are being drawn. All because of one who may not be willing to admit he’s not seeing things so clearly. But, according to her mother, Maria Hill, the woman who has worked beside Fury for so long, believed in him. So,is there anyone else who can look Nick in the eye, call bullshit and be right?

Not knowing if you can trust someone is a situation most people can relate to, but when you can’t trust yourself, that shit is personal. Trust is a motherfucker. Something has definitely gotten under Fury’s skin. Causing the seasoned spy to behave so inconsistently that it is irritating everyone that Nick keeps close. Its as if since the SNAP/BLIP, Fury has needed some space. Or just a vacation, under the guise of a setting up S.A.B.E.R. Sometimes the only secrets are the ones we keep telling ourselves.

Wasn’t it covering their own assets, with disregard to civility or common ground, that led to the Civil War. Which one? Any of them, they may look different on paper but, they’re really all the same.

Meanwhile, not every entity is allowed to evolve. That is exactly the scenario that took place in Falcon and the Winter Soldier when Sam attempts to carry on Cap’s legacy. The masses just didn’t feel that Wilson was a suitable replacement to carry the shield. Colonel James Rhodes, must accept that with the world on the precipice of war, this isn’t a time to attempt to save face or for an extreme show of force. Rather than being regarded as merely a New Avenger or Tony Stark’s bodyguard (or replacement), in Secret Invasion the former pilot opts to lay down the armor the character once famously declared he would drive one day – guess he’s saving that war for another day. With this act, Rhodes reminds the world’s leaders, and viewers, of who he is. His appearance, his face is a visible proclamation that despite any differences or discord he won’t hide away from his responsibilities, even those seemingly committed by the country he represents.

Now, as for his countryman, Rhodes is quick to read Fury the riot act, refusing to play the race game. His friends few and far between, could you even trust any other Avenger – for many reasons, can there be peace between these brothers in arms.

Filthy Mind, Dirty Ways

After a Skrull initiated attack in Russian, Fury is looking to hold someone accountable and so are the leaders of NATO. Amazing how quickly leaders forget, no matter the cost. To get the Avengers assistance it seems the world leaders completely forgot about the incidents leading up to the Sokovia Accords. Much like what is taking place within the Skrull resistance, the enemy of my enemy…until.

Which brings up the lurking variable in this Secret Invasion. The question that not only assists in determining aspects of trust, but also its terms. Why?

Because it should never get to that point? Surely working to help create S.A.B.E.R, an endeavor that has taken years and Skrull specific insight, would earn them some type of legal status among our species, right Ms. Walters? Clearly, they have done more for the citizens of Earth than the Asgardians. And yet the people of Norway had no problem offering that populance a place after the destruction of their realm due to Ragnarok. What makes the Skrulls’ situation so different? They can be just like you, if you let them. Or even if you don’t. At this point consider the Skrulls investors…or invaders.

Some were actually even invited? Tallus is the reason for the severe Skrull overpopulation. Somewhere in Fury’s absence his doppleganger put out a relay, welcoming over one million Skrulls to Earth. Perhaps it was the loss of his homeworld, then wife Soren, that saw the Skrull feeling the need to reconnect. Surely, losing his daughter G’iah’s to the side of the Skrull resistance wouldn’t help. Still even now they both are conflicted, with all their actions. The situation with Fury is becoming tense for Tallus. The two old friends have been at odds since Nick’s return, with the human killing a Skrull perhaps too much. Tallus’ assertion that it was his fight implies to the Skrull, Fury had no right to take that life. Does Tallus feel his species has given, and taken, enough already from the people of Earth. The task of finding somewhere inhabitable for the Skrulls species isn’t something as simple as finding a snail a home. However, as one aspect of G’iah’s look into Gravik’s operation uncovers, Skrulls are adaptable.

The original introduction of the Skrull race in Marvel comics saw the species merely shifting their shape to assume the form of another. As the years went on the Skrulls would showcase the means to access memories, the minds their “shell”, allowing them to assume an identity, inside and out. Much like what audiences are seeing in Secret Invasion. Now, think about if you had this ability, you could infiltrate the highest pillars of society – so long as you look the part. Who needs citizenship when you can supplant yourself so well that even the slightest suspicion would receive no more than a shrug? Making others fall for their entire impersonation, with or without the benefit of Maybelline. So was that really a riot? If all the world’s a stage they simply could have been paid actors.

Actually, it is very interesting to notice their decision to use the Cold War era conflict to sow seeds of discord among the nations of Earth. Initially, this makes it seem like the Skrulls are thinking too small; all too human. Given their abilities and technological superiority, they surely could have crafted a more sophisticated scheme to overtake the planet. This subtle strategy, however, allows the Skrulls to start the drums of war and then sit back and let the music play. As Fury explains to Tallus humanity has always been at war with itself. Can we truly not coexist with one another? With knowledge of human thoughts and behaviors, the Skrulls have been operating from within the ranks, infiltrating organizations – bodies – to gain understanding of the internal workings, creating a symbiotic connection. Until, like Venom, the host loses control.

But the stakes in this one are too high. This war cannot be won alone, nor with eyes wide shut. Acting dumb and blind to the stories that are not only his, but also hers and theirs. The deep impact of any occurrence on Earth reverberates, with lasting implications upon all aspects of life on this planet.

In fact, Gravik’s resistance is just a way of now exploiting humanity’s consistent deception, degradation and destruction to the Skrulls’ advantage. This foreign mentality with the need to claim superiority, as if each aspect of mankind represents a completely separate people, creates a sense of isolation. Like everyone is an island unto themselves. Allowing outsiders to carry a familiar banner, again initiating crusades that feel right but, like before they turn out to be fools errands; for fools gold. What environmental regulations could you be convinced to disregard? What personal protections or provisions would then get abandoned? This land was made for you and the media can control the narrative. A race to the top of witch mountain, destroying the magic kingdom in the process. Always under the guise of progress, concealing who is profiting.

It doesn’t matter, as long as you have a place in this whole, brave, new world, right? Somewhere you belong. That’s the American tale.

That doesn’t feel so alien. In fact, it feels all too human. An all not for us are against us mindset will make almost anyone out to be your enemy.

It did appear that following the confusion after the explosion in Russia, Gravik impersonates Fury a little too well. Is there something else Tallus isn’t telling about his role in this Secret War? Was this contempt bred from familiarity? Actually, for Fury and Gravik, while Secret Invasion creates the image they are foils, this feels like it might actually be false; the two are a lot alike. Both would likely acknowledge their actions were at the behest of other individuals, with the best interest of the masses in mind. Their behaviors are a byproduct of their upbringing, with similarities in their backstory.

Seems like the only way to survive the Secret Invasion is to avoid becoming an enemy mine. Gravik even gets upset by the implication that his image, like Fury’s, would become the face of the Skrulls’ fight. The Skrull doesn’t want this burden because he recognizes what it can bring about. Wars have a way of altering the landscape, the physical terrain, and changing the climate – even including each individual’s temperament. Everyone is blaming Nick for everything from the battle of New York to the BLIP. Even Nick seems to be double checking his reflection since his return. Is this who he really is, who he has become?

You can’t win. And you can’t get out of the game.