Secret Invasion is all about hidden identities and shape-shifting, however after 4 episodes it nonetheless hasn’t actually dedicated to the bit of a shock-and-awe conspiracy thriller. Sure, we’ve gotten a number of reveals about politicians secretly being Skrulls, and the U.S. authorities vaguely blames Nick Fury for Maria Hill’s demise, however they might be going a lot additional.
[Ed. note: The following contains spoilers for Secret Invasion episode 4.]
The present’s fourth episode finds Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and his males discussing the truth that they’re alleged to be talking Russian throughout their subsequent operation: an try and assassinate the American president. It is troublesome to overlook how reminiscent the scene is, deliberately or not, of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s “No Russian” mission.
In the sport’s mission, a terrorist chief, Makarov, reminds his males to not communicate Russian throughout a terrorist assault on a Russian airport, in hopes of framing America for the assault and sparking a struggle. The degree was extremely controversial on the time as a result of it put gamers ready to shoot digital civilians, however it’s additionally precisely the sort of politicking Secret Invasion retains feinting at then shying away from — it’s a present dealing in half-measures.
This week offers us a first-rate instance: Gravik might have hoped to border the Russians for the assault on the president within the strategy planning stage, however then his mission seemingly fails. He and his crew steadily communicate English all through the operation. Then, as if his cowl wasn’t blown sufficient, he goes and makes use of his bizarre Groot-esque tree-arm powers. His crew additionally commits to killing Talos as an alternative of the president. Everything feels utterly botched.
Let Gravik do unhealthy and let him blame different folks for it! Even the one good body job the present has up to now, Fury killing Maria Hill, is relegated to blackmail materials from Rhodey — who’s almost definitely a Skrull.
The premise of shape-shifters taking on the world sounds unnerving in an thrilling method, however 4 episodes in, Secret Invasion can’t fairly make good. It’s clear why the comedian model of Secret Invasion wouldn’t work within the present, and why Marvel wouldn’t need this sequence overrun with its most well-known superheroes. But that doesn’t imply that Skrulls disguised as heroes shouldn’t be committing assassinations and devious plots all around the world. As it stands, almost each second of the present up to now may have simply been about any nameless terrorists as an alternative of refugee aliens.
The complete level of introducing shape-shifting aliens in a world full of characters that we all know and love is that they make you query the motivations of your favourite heroes; would That Guy actually do this horrible factor, or are they only a Skrull in disguise? How unhealthy is the villain, actually? It’s all a approach to put audiences out of their consolation zone. So whereas the plot might echo Call of Duty, it’s not embodying the chance of that franchise’s infamous second.
Modern Warfare 2’s “No Russian” mission was controversial not as a result of of the crimes depicted in it, however as a result of the sport compelled gamers to take part in them. It’s gratuitous however efficient, and briefly washes away the “we’re the good guys” facade that Call of Duty video games normally let gamers sit safely behind. Sure, the mission may have been a cutscene as an alternative, however we positively wouldn’t be speaking about it now if it was.
The interconnected Marvel universe could also be too fragile to go there. Secret Invasion’s causes for avoiding one thing stunning appear pernicious and branding-related. It appears like Marvel isn’t keen to sully the picture of any of its moneymakers with an atrocity lest they be wanted for a derivative in Phase 9.
I’m not saying that Secret Invasion must go full “No Russian” or have Skrull Captain America killing civilians, however I do suppose the sequence might need benefited from a minor hero committing a struggle crime or two — or a minimum of being framed for them.
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