‘Secret Invasion’ Episode 1 Review - Jason Bourne Comes To Marvel In The Most Exciting MCU Series Yet
Photo from Marvel Studios
From Joe Peltzer
The opening scenes of Secret Invasion Episode 1 are layered with intrigue, heightened stakes, and full-speed action, making it clear that the series is something different than anything we’ve seen before. Terrorist plots, political pivoting, and host of mysterious new characters set the story in motion without delay.
Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to Earth as a species-ending threat emerges, led by the menacing Skrull Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) who seeks to make the world home for the Skrulls once and for all. Ben Mendelsohn returns as Talos while Colbie Smulders is back as Maria Hill. Marvel newcomers Emilia Clarke (playing a character revealed in the first episode) and Olivia Colman (a leader in the war against the Skrulls) are welcomed additions, the former likely having a key role in however the story plays out while the latter is a strong presence. Jackson is fantastic in this episode, he and Mendelsohn engaging in a sort of buddy cop back and forth. This Nick Fury isn’t quite the man we remember, rather he is still trying to find his way following the success of Thanos with The Blip.
What’s clear from this first episode is that the series is unlike anything we have seen before. The story is focused and twisty, told through quick and witty dialogue, set upon a vast Russian backdrop. Underneath the main plot are human subplots focused on further developing these individual characters, resulting in perhaps the most dynamic Marvel series to date.
By the end, the stakes are set and my excitement at an all-time high. This is going to be something special.
Secret Invasion premieres on Disney+ on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023.
