It seems we can’t get an episode of Secret Invasion that doesn’t try to leave us surprised or shocked in some way by the end, and episode 4, “Beloved,” is no different. So as the stakes grow and the action intensifies, let’s take a look at the latest episode, brace for spoilers, and dive on in.
1. The Least Surprising Twists
Let’s begin with the parts that surprised absolutely no one, but are still technically spoilers:
1. G’iah survived
2. Rhodey is a Skrull
For the first not-shocking twist, we quickly see that G’iah went and made herself a Super Skrull before she got shot, so she’s also got Extremis-based healing powers. This can actually set up quite a lot for her as a character, assuming she survives through to the end – not only is it providing a chance for a Super Skrull vs Super Skrull battle down the line (one that she has more than enough motivation for, too) but it even creates opportunities for her to appear in more Marvel series and movies down the line as another super-powered heavy hitter.
But most importantly: it lets Marvel keep using Emilia Clarke.
As for the other twist, of course at least one Avenger has to be replaced by a Skrull, and not just because that was a big part of the “Secret Invasion” event comic. A big part of Gravik’s plan involves removing Fury from the board, first by having “Rhodey” firing him, then by calling for Priscilla to kill him, just to be safe. Of course, this also gives him a man on the inside of not just the government, but also with connections to the Earth’s mightiest heroes.
And while it’s not surprising, it also re-contextualizes much of the conversation they had in episode 2, especially in regards to race and working to climb the ladder. We also see this Skrull Rhodey growing ever more sinister as the episode goes on, now that we know who he is.
So even if the twists aren’t surprising, they’re still good directions for the story.
2. Late Fragment
While episode 3 only gave us a little look at Fury and his wife, this episode shows us more of the two of them, both in flashbacks and the present.
One key aspect of Priscilla’s character is reflected in the poem “Late Fragment,” by Raymond Carver, which we see her read with Fury in the flashback, before they repeat it later on. It’s a short poem, expressing a need to be loved – perhaps most importantly, “to feel myself beloved on the earth,” which is meaningful for a Skrull trying to find her place on this planet. It’s used to great effect, first reflecting Priscilla’s desire, then later her satisfaction with the life they led together.
The latter comes during a decently emotional scene where Fury confronts her and they lay their feelings on the table. As Fury calls her his greatest mistake, he also admits he’d make the same mistake all over again if given the choice, while she tells him about the identity she took when she became Priscilla.
Then, as they both recite the poem, they each shoot at and miss each other. It’s worth noting that Fury’s bullet destroys a mask she has on the wall, adding a bit of symbolism to the scene, but it still serves as a good character moment for the both of them and builds on their relationship.
3. Who Knows What
Following Fury’s showdown with his wife, he goes to meet Rhodes, who he knows is a Skrull in disguise. (Presumably, the real one is hooked up to one of those machines in New Skrullos.) This is where Fury very unsubtly hints that he knows Rhodey’s been replaced, and the fake Rhodey counters with blackmail footage of Gravik shooting Hill while disguised as Fury.
This is where fake Rhodey begins to slip, growing more blatantly villainous in his dialogue and behavior while still maintaining the facade. It indicates to us that Fury is on the right track, but also shows the leverage that the Skrulls have to keep him out of the action.
More importantly, it gets the Skrull Rhodes to lower his guard just enough to drink some expensive booze… spiked with a liquid tracking device. How exactly can liquid be a tracking device? Well, Fury literally said there were nanomachines in it, even if it came across as a joke, so let’s assume nanotechnology and not get bogged down by the details.
Continued below4. Big Ol’ Action Scene
Of course this series needs an action set piece, and this episode gives us a decent one, complete with plenty of helicopters and explosions. Gravik’s forces launch their attack on the US President (made all the easier by “Rhodes” being their man on the inside), while trying to pin it on the Russians. How do they do this? Mostly by speaking Russian, and having people shout “It’s the Russians!” (which I’m fairly certain are also Skrull plants placed there to shout exactly that).
Still, it’s a fun bit of action, especially when Fury and Talos show up. This also gives us a look at more Super Skrull powers, because Gravik decided to stop being sly about it once Fury showed up (even if this doesn’t exactly support their “it’s the Russians” story), so we get to see the Groot-based vines in action along with the Extremis healing powers.
More importantly, it’s a major moment for Talos, as he tries to rescue the President and gets shot for his trouble. It’s a powerful moment as he struggles through the injury to keep trying to help, while losing consciousness and his own grip on his transformation. It’s also true to his character’s motivations, bringing us to our last point…
5. Goodbye, Talos
So far, three out of four episodes have ended either with a death or an assumed death of a character, because episode four ends with Talos being killed in action.
Earlier in the episode, Talos explains that his plan to help the Skrull people involves earning the trust of humanity through good deeds and acts of heroism. He honestly believes that they can prove their value to humanity, save the world, and earn a place for themselves in thanks. It’s optimistic, if a tad naive, and even his own daughter thinks it’s foolishly idealistic. It also stands in contrast to Gravik’s plan, a more pessimistic and violent plan that is, admittedly, at least making progress.
But, to Talos’ credit, he dies doing exactly what he set out to do: showing the world (or at least the soldiers around him) that there are Skrull out there willing to give their lives to help others.
So he gets a fitting last stand, followed by a tragic death, while remaining true to the characteristics and ideals we’ve seen from him throughout this series. All in all, one of the better deaths we’ve seen this series.
