Secret Invasion Season 1 Episode 1 Recap

 Resurrection – The episode opens in Moscow. Agent Prescod (Richard Dormer) narrates a world in which “information” is trustworthy. As society unravels, people turn to their closest allies who turn out to be entirely different than originally thought. Even worse, they are non-human.

Prescod warns of chaos, following this year’s five terrorist attacks. Agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) says it is just the norm. Prescod believes the world is at war. He voices concern about the conflict landing on the soil of the major power. Ross questions if all five terror strikes were carried out by the same people. Prescod suggests “Skrulls” are responsible. Holding out a file, he says Skrulls refused to accept Agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Carol Danvers’ offer of a new planet because they want Earth. Ross assures him there is only a small minority of Skrull living on Earth. Disagreeing, Prescod tells him the numbers are in the thousands. After reminding him of Fury being Skrull’s only contact, Ross guarantees they are their allies.

Ross stresses the importance of having evidence before having Fury returned from “S.A.B.E.R.” Prescod hands him a device with evidence of Skrull’s involvement in the latest terror attacks. Examining the device, Ross promises to turn it over to Fury when Prescod attacks him. The physical altercation ends with Ross stabbing Prescod to death before exiting the building. After calling for an extract, he turns to see a man pursuing him. The pursuit continues until Ross jumps off a roof, splattering on the ground below. The pursuer turns back as Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) pulls up near Ross who is inching in her direction. Spotting the oncoming pursuer, she draws her weapon before Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) reveals his true identity. Ross shapeshifts into a Skrull.

Nick Fury returns to Earth as Hill arrives to transport him to a location where he meets Talos. They briefly discuss Talos’ deceased wife Soren’s Santa Millika plant. Talos informs him of his daughter Giah’s (Emilia Clarke) disappearance. He claims Giah was frustrated that their people didn’t have a permanent home. He says the Council forced him into exile. Hill fills Fury in on Gravik’s (Kingsley Ben-Adir) new position on the Skrull Council. She claims he preys on young Skrulls infuriated at their situation. Skrulls have radiation immunity. Russia has more abandoned nuclear plants, many of which are off-record, than any other country. Talos says Gravik’s whereabouts are unknown. When Fury learns about the “dirty bomb” plan, intercepted by Prescod, and the “Americans Against Russia” (AAR) radical group, he believes Gravik is trying to start a war between America and Russia.

Hill tells Fury that a Kazakhstan weapon stockpile was raided on the same day of Prescod’s murder. Talos warns that such a war between Russia and America will wipe out Fury’s species.

Rhodey (Don Cheadle) informs President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney) of Fury’s “abandonment” of S.A.B.E.R. where he is building the world’s largest defense system. Ritson reminds him of the vitality of Fury’s position. Rhodey says they have been unable to decode encrypted correspondence between Hill and Fury.

On the orders of Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman), Fury is abducted while out for a walk. Sonya touches the eye of an owl figurine before pouring them a drink. He provides scant details of his plan to eradicate the rebel Skrull group. He asks for information about the break-in at the Kazakhstan storage facility operating as part of the black market. She denies having any knowledge of it.

Giah gives Beto (Samuel Adewunmi) a tour of Gravik’s compound with over 500 displaced adults and children. She tells him that only warriors have permission to leave. Warriors maintain their human form to avoid detection. She assures him that his true loyalty will be rewarded greatly before disappearing into a large room where Pagon (Killian Scott) grants Brogan (Ben Peel) his shell. She watches as a machine captures a man’s mind.

Sonya explains the extensive government infiltration of Skrulls. She says Fury’s return to Earth is proof. She warns Gravik is planning something “big” but their current concern is a bomb. She says from the five bomb specialists in Moscow, one sticks out, former Chechnyan rebel, Vasily Poprishchin (Uriel Emil). Fury suggests paying Vasily a visit. Talos asks if he is suggesting an attack on MI6 operatives. Fury assures him the only way to protect “innocent” Skrulls is to hurt people.

Pagon informs Gravik of Fury’s return to Earth. He claims their informant says Fury is no threat. Pagon says their initiative will be implemented tomorrow and continue until they take control of Earth. Zirksu (Mark Lewis) is ordered to take Giah to do an exchange – cash for two bags – with Vasily. Pagon stresses the importance of the two bags being delivered uncompromised to a safe house in Moscow. Giah arrives in Moscow. A Russian spy (Andy M. Milligan) appears to inject an agent in the neck to make him pass out. Giah reveals the money to Vasily as Fury and Talos enter the building through a secure location. With a backpack in hand, Giah walks away from the facility. Vasily enters a room to find Fury and Talos waiting for him. Hill is in her vehicle when Giah. Deciding to follow her, she alerts Fury. Vasily stresses the importance of a scheduled meeting. Fury demands to know who he is meeting before asking if he is in possession of a “dirty bomb.” Vasily denies any knowledge of the term.

Talos bashes Vasily’s head against a wall. Out of nowhere, Vasily gains super-strength to get the best of Talos. When Fury tries to intervene, Talos orders him to stand down. The dispute continues until Fury shoots Vasily. In seconds, he shapeshifts into a Skrull. While following Giah, Hill is under attack when Talos approaches. When he catches up with Giah, he tries to convince her to hand over the bombs. He informs her of Soren’s (her mother) death. She asks how she died. He suggests asking Gravik while unloading his gun. She punches him before fleeing.

Giah returns the two bags to Brogan at a safe house. She informs him of her nearly being caught. He asks if she can identify the individual. She says no before suggesting delaying the attack which he refuses.

A Russian professional woman (Irina Kara) hails a taxi. The driver pulls into a parking lot between buildings. Talos emerges from the driver’s seat, followed by Giah from the rear passenger seat. She informs him that the strike is scheduled for Unity Day, tomorrow at Vossoyedineniye Square. She warns that Gravik is aware that he will be present. He questions where Gravik got his information. She says any of AAR’s operatives. She explains how three couriers, including herself, will be positioned at points with an infrared-marked bag.

Vossoyedineniye Square – Talos, Fury, and Hill set up along the perimeter of the square. Hill alerts of two couriers with backpacks approaching. Fury spots Giah. They move in on their targets. Fury turns to see a young Russian girl (Bebe Massey) with a ball. He turns to follow her while Hill tracks a male courier through the congested square. The young girl shapeshifts into the drunk Russian (Mihai Arsene) from the pub. The man shapeshifts into a female and again into Gravik. A decoy tosses Hill an empty backpack. Gravik detonates the bombs one at a time. Fury calls Hill’s name before shooting her in the stomach. The real Fury spots the impersonator Skrull but another bomb explodes before he can fire a shot. Gravik appears in the smoke. Rushing over to Hill, he denies shooting her before she takes her last breath. He flees, leaving her lifeless body on the ground as the episode ends.

 

Secret Invasion Cast

• Agent Talos (Ben Mendelsohn)
• Giah (Emilia Clarke)
• Agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)
• Sonya Falsworth (Oliva Colman)
• Pagon (Killian Scott)
• Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders)
• Beto (Samuel Adewunmi)
• Rhodey (Don Cheadle)
• President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney)
• Brogan (Ben Peel)
• Agent Everett Ross (Martin Freeman)
• Agent Prescod (Richard Dormer)

Where To Watch Secret Invasion

Secret Invasion premiered on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, on Disney+.

Where Was Secret Invasion Filmed

Filming locations where in and around London.

Secret Invasion Synopsis

An intercepted “dirty bomb” blueprint leads Agent Prescod to a rebel Skrull coalition, AAR. He pitches his theory of a future terrorist attack to Agent Ross, he ends up dead. Ross, a secret AAR operative, is killed a short time later by Agent Talos. Agent Hill warns Fury that his species is in danger. Fury returns to Earth to investigate further.

Skrull Councilman, Gravik heads AAR and a large compound for displaced Skrulls. Talos’ daughter, Giah works alongside Gravik and Pagon. He is unaware of her affiliation with the radical group. MI6 Agent Sonya believes Vasily builds bombs for AAR. As Talos and Fury arrive to question Vasily, Giah is leaving with three bombs. She has no idea her mother is dead, let alone killed by Gravik, according to Talos. She later alerts him of a terror strike scheduled at Vossoyedineniye Square tomorrow.

Fury, Hill, and Talos set out to divert the attack but Gravik’s plan is too strategic. Gravik shapeshifts into Fury before killing Hill.

Secret Invasion Review

The episode isn’t perfect but decent nonetheless. My biggest qualm is the subpar camera work. While the contrast is overall good, the camera is too far away from the target.  The only exception is during the fight scenes when the camera is so close, it is impossible to see all the action.

Killing off main characters, A-list actors, in the pilot episode seems risky. Avengers actor, Cobie Smulders, Game of Thrones Richard Dormer, and Black Panther Martin Freeman are a few examples. Each kill-off weakens the main cast.

The missions are too easy. Nine writers, most series have no more than two, this is what they come up with. The acting is strong and believable.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Secret Invasion recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our platform. Learn how our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, clicking the link.