Secret Invasion episode 4 review: Rhodey Marvel Is a Skrull

In a recent development, Secret Invasion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) unveiled the presence of a prominent individual who is actually a Skrull. The extent of this impersonation and how long it has been going on remains unclear. This revelation raises concerns reminiscent of the events depicted in comic books. In the massive crossover storyline called Secret Invasion, numerous Marvel Comics heroes were discovered to have been Skrulls for a significant period. For instance, characters like Spider-Woman were revealed to have been Skrulls for an extended duration. Given the notable differences and self-contained nature of the Secret Invasion TV series, it was uncertain whether it would deliver any Skrull-related surprises akin to those in the comics.

Secret Invasion: Rhodey Marvel Is a Skrull

In a recent episode titled “Beloved” of the Secret Invasion show, it has been confirmed that a significant character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a member of the Avengers has been replaced by a Skrull. The concerns of the audience were validated when it was revealed that Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes, portrayed by Don Cheadle, is being impersonated by a female Skrull named Raava. Furthermore, it was unveiled that Rhodey is associated with a rebel faction led by Gravik, played by Kingsley Ben-Adir. This Skrull infiltration is particularly dangerous due to Gravik’s proximity to the President of the United States and his ability to influence both domestic and global affairs by virtue of his position within the government.

Despite a few errors, such as mistakenly referring to Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) by his first name, the Skrull impersonating Rhodey appears to possess remarkable skills, suggesting that she has been assuming his identity for quite some time. It might be tempting to believe that Rhodey’s Skrull status is solely a result of the Secret Invasion storyline in the MCU. However, as revealed in the second episode of Secret Invasion titled “Promises,” the Skrull infiltration issue predates that event by a significant margin. As early as 1997, Fury had already started recruiting Skrulls to work as spies on Earth. This decision caused tension when Fury failed to fulfill his promise of assisting the Skrulls in finding a new home, leading to further complications and conflicts.

While the invasion has recently escalated, with Gravik taking more aggressive action, the Secret Invasion TV series suggests that the Skrulls may have been infiltrating Earth for years, or even decades, in a covert manner. This raises the possibility that Rhodey’s replacement by a Skrull was not a recent event. This notion was also supported by Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, who confirmed in an interview with Marvel.com that Rhodey had been a Skrull for an extended period. The intention is for viewers to grasp the extent of his Skrull impersonation, according to Feige. The idea is to allow fans to revisit Rhodey’s earlier appearances and realize that it was not him but a Skrull in disguise.