"Secret Invasion" Finale: Worst season finale of Marvel

    

CAST:

Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Cobie Smulders, Martin Freeman, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Don Cheadle

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Ali Selim, Kevin Feige, Jonathan Schwartz, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Samuel L. Jackson, Ali Selim, Kyle Bradstreet, Brian Tucker, Jennifer L. Booth, Allana Williams, Brant Englestein

STORY SUMMARY: 

Secret Invasion, as the inaugural television series of MCU Phase 5, is poised to establish narratives that could potentially influence upcoming endeavors such as The Marvels or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.While it primarily unfolds on Earth and spotlights Nick Fury as the central character, Secret Invasion draws inspiration from the comic storyline where Earth’s most formidable heroes confront a malevolent Skrull invasion.With several of Earth’s champions unveiled as Skrulls, the central intrigue of the show revolves around identifying which familiar countenance can be relied upon. Here is a comprehensive overview of what we currently comprehend about Season 1 of Secret Invasion.

    

MCU TV FATIGUE

Review: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undeniably been a colossal success, but as with any long-running franchise, there comes a point where fatigue sets in, even for the most dedicated fans. Critics, who have been vocal about their opinions on the MCU's movies, are now expressing weariness towards its television ventures. A major turning point in this discussion has been the release of Marvel's much-hyped Secret Invasion series, which stars A-listers like Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and Emilia Clarke. Unfortunately, this highly anticipated show has received the worst critic score for a major Marvel series since Netflix's Iron Fist, leaving both fans and critics disappointed.

Here’s where it ranks on the list as a result:

Ms. Marvel – 98%

Agents of SHIELD – 95%

Daredevil – 92%

Loki – 92%

Hawkeye – 92%

WandaVision – 91%

Luke Cage – 87%

Moon Knight – 86%

Agent Carter – 86%

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – 84%

Jessica Jones – 83%

She-Hulk – 80%

The Defenders – 78%

The Punisher – 64%

Secret Invasion – 63%

Iron Fist – 37%

Inhumans – 11%

At first glance, a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes might still be considered "fresh," but in the context of the highly regarded Marvel TV shows, it's a significant drop. This places Secret Invasion far below other critically acclaimed series like Ms. Marvel, Agents of SHIELD, Daredevil, Loki, and WandaVision. The contrast becomes even starker when compared to the newer Disney Plus shows, such as Loki, Hawkeye, and WandaVision, which have been widely praised for their innovative storytelling and character development.

One of the primary issues plaguing Secret Invasion appears to be a lack of cohesion in its storytelling and genre blending. Marvel marketed the series as a super serious spy drama, but critics argue that it fails to deliver on that promise. The plot revolves around Nick Fury facing an invisible threat that most characters seem apathetic towards, which makes it difficult for audiences to invest emotionally in the story. Additionally, the show occasionally introduces characters in full green scaly face prosthetics, disrupting the serious tone and taking viewers out of the immersive experience. Although this storyline is adapted from a comic arc, it hasn't translated well to the small screen.

    

The confusion surrounding Marvel TV's future plans also adds to the criticism. While some series, like Loki and Ms. Marvel, are confirmed to have subsequent seasons, others' fates remain uncertain. This lack of clarity can lead to disengagement from the audience, as they are uncertain which storylines will continue or conclude after a single season. Moreover, the seemingly arbitrary selection of characters for solo series or films may contribute to audience frustration and disinterest.

Secret Invasion's critical underperformance may have been mitigated if it had been presented as a high-budget movie, allowing for a more expansive exploration of the Skrull storylines from the comics. In the source material, the Skrull invasion involved a vast array of characters, secret identities, and unexpected twists. However, the show's limited scope seems to limit the possibilities for shocking revelations, leading viewers to predict the main characters who might be Skrulls.

To salvage the situation, the show's creators must aim to deliver a captivating and unpredictable storyline in the remaining episodes. If Secret Invasion can recapture its initial promise and provide fans with a thrilling conclusion, it may mitigate some of the damage caused by the initial critical reception. Nevertheless, it serves as a stark reminder that even powerhouse franchises like the MCU must continually innovate and adapt to maintain their audience's interest and excitement.

    

Facts related to Secret Invasion ( Spoiler alert): 

•The official synopsis for the series reads as follows:

"In Secret Invasion, set in the present-day MCU, Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill, and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity

•The series revolves around a covert infiltration of the shape-shifting Skrulls into the Earth's society at multiple levels. Be it superheroes, government officials, or even friends, the Skrulls have invaded every role. This makes a huge impact on the superhero community and other influential figures as they completely lose faith in even their most trusted allies.

• Disney+ series is based on the comic book storyline of the same name, fans can expect to see a variation from the source material in the MCU adaptation. The trailer release has already confused Marvel fans about the basic plotline for the title.

•The MCU used to have an underlying political commentary in their films before Avengers: Endgame, after which the films just became a way of expanding the universe and introducing new characters. Even the conflicts were much more simple, without a lot of political or extensive rationale.