Secret Invasion by Marvel Studios garnered mixed reviews from critics and audiences. The show is full of unexpected plot twists and Skrulls, so many in fact, that it’s impossible to tell who is human and who isn’t. Fans were particularly surprised to learn that Rhodey aka War Machine is a Skrull, as revealed in episode four.
Some fans think this revelation has spoiled the Avengers: Infinity War’s final war scene.
How Secret Invasion Ruined Final War Scene in Avengers: Infinity War
In Marvel Studios’s Secret Invasion, Don Cheadle’s character Colonel James Rhodes aka War Machine was revealed to be one of the shape-shifting aliens. Furthermore, the switch may have taken place even before Captain America: Civil War. This revelation naturally generated a lot of criticism, with many fans complaining that it destroyed important MCU scenes.
The scene in question occurs right after Thanos’ Snap goes off and people start to disappear from Wakanda and the rest of the world, and War Machine is one of the Avengers who survives the Snap.
Also Read: Don Cheadle Net Worth – How Much Has War Machine Star Made from MCU
James Rhodey can be seen wandering around, looking for his friends and team of superheroes. Then he’s shown with his teammates, mourning the loss of half the Avengers. However, this is not the real War Machine, but rather a Skrull named Raava.
After all, Raava not only has no connection to these people, taking away all the impact of Rhodey’s emotions, but she is also purposefully manipulating those around her and may even be thrilled to see Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fall.
Another primary instance cited was Iron Man’s death in Avengers: Endgame, in which Don Cheadle’s character stands by his closest friend’s side as he passes away. When viewers find out that it was actually just a random shape-shifting alien, the impact is somewhat lessened.
Secret Invasion Failed To Impress The Audience
Secret Invasion is based on the comic of the same name and follows an extraterrestrial invasion on Earth including shape-shifting Skrulls entering places of power all around the world. Starring Emilia Clarke and Samuel L. Jackson, the six-episode, $212 million series is presently the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s lowest-rated show on Rotten Tomatoes. It received a overall score of 56%, since not one episode attained 60% or above.
The finale episode of Secret Invasion received the most backlash from the viewers. The audience felt it abandoned its slow-burn espionage tale for a rushed episode that ended with a bland battle sequence with no stakes. Rotten Tomatoes has given the Secret Invasion episode an 8% rating. Ali Selim, the director of the show, recently stated that he is not bothered by mixed reviews.
Secret Invasion and Avengers: Infinity War are currently streaming on Disney+.
Source: The Direct
Frequently asked questions
How does Secret Invasion ruin the final scene of Avengers: Infinity War?
Secret Invasion reveals that Rhodey/War Machine had been secretly replaced by a shape-shifting Skrull named Raava. So the Rhodey seen mourning his fallen teammates in Wakanda right after Thanos’ Snap was not really Rhodey at all. Fans argue this drains the moment of emotional weight, since the Skrull had no genuine bond with the Avengers and was actually manipulating those around her.
When does Secret Invasion suggest Rhodey was replaced by a Skrull?
Don Cheadle’s Colonel James Rhodes is revealed to be a Skrull in episode four of the series. The show implies the swap may have happened as far back as before Captain America: Civil War. The article presents this as the in-show implication rather than a precisely confirmed date, which is part of why many fans felt key earlier MCU moments, including Iron Man’s death in Endgame, were undermined.
How was Secret Invasion received by critics and audiences?
It drew mixed reviews and became the MCU’s lowest-rated show on Rotten Tomatoes, with an overall score of 56% and no single episode reaching 60%. The finale drew the most backlash for trading the show’s slow-burn espionage tone for a rushed, low-stakes battle, earning just an 8% episode score. The six-episode series reportedly cost $212 million and starred Samuel L. Jackson and Emilia Clarke.
