‘Secret Invasion’ Recap: ‘Promises’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in Marvel Studios' SECRET INVASION, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode two of ‘Secret Invasion’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
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One particular lesson that our parents teach us in our youth, is that it is critical that we follow up on our promises. In large part because our parents want us to be respected and trusted, and showing others that our word is our bond, is an easy to make that happen. Since people know that a person who backs up their word will always follow through. But this is a lesson… that carries with it a deeper meaning as well, one that we don’t discuss when teaching it to others and maybe we should. Since it would add more gravity to this lesson and perhaps keep people from going back on their word, all because… there are consequences when that happens. The kind that we tend to learn the hard way as we grow into adulthood. 
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Because despite being told how important it is to keep our word, we will forget to do so along the way or choose not to do so for various reasons, and there is backlash when that happens. The kind that can cost us a friend or get us into a fight with someone that matters and that alone… is enough to teach us to stick to our promises. But for some… they learn that lesson in a far harder manner, since sometimes, going back on our word can in fact… devastate a life and create enemies, and if we knew the potential fallout of not following through on a promise… a lot of heartache could be avoided, or the lesson could be learned in a far less painful manner. But alas, the opposite is just how the world works at the moment and really, this lesson is top of mind today, simply because Nick Fury’s journey offered up the worst-case scenario regarding it in the next episode of Secret Invasion on Disney+.

For ‘Promises’ is a story that encompassed decades in the MCU. Wherein we were able to see the moment when Nick Fury promised the emotionally devastated Skrulls, a world. One that would let them flourish and rebuild their lives… and well… we know how that ended and the fallout from that attack… truly transformed Nick’s world and life. Since he didn’t know where he went wrong or when he lost his way, and it wasn’t long before he found himself without much in this life outside of the wife, we never knew he had… who happened to be a Skrull no less… and the shame of failure. Something he wasn’t used to but brought upon himself. For he never found that world and never went the extra mile as promised and the hope he robbed from others… really did create some terrifying fallout, the kind that was explored further here in a terrifying manner.

Because while Nick tried to sort out his own life, while dodging the ire of Talos and Rhodey, Gravik was making plans for world domination. Because he saw the success of the attack as the chance to rally Skrull around the globe to rise up and take Planet Earth from a species that didn’t appreciate it or one another, and what was terrifying… was how many powerful Skrull were willing to listen. For they truly were tired, and ready to settle somewhere comfortable and in a stunning set of moves… Gravik was able to inspire the vast majority of them to stand with him as their one and only General, and wage a grand war to end all wars… for humanity at least… and while there are still some holding out hope for peace, there isn’t much time left on the clock to make that happen. 

Which means, it will take some incredible work to save the planet from this secret invasion. But while we wait to see how that plays out, we can celebrate one unique tale. One that really did explore how a common occurrence in everyday life can be applied to something epic, and what that fallout would look like and well… it certainly wasn’t good. Not to mention, in many ways, this series appears to be setting the stage for Nick Fury’s finest hour or biggest blunder. Hopefully the former and that too, is unique. Since Fury has always been viewed as a true champion for good. But here, he’s a flawed man, who does believe in good but struggles with the follow through now and again and thinks ideology will win, and clearly… more is needed. And truly, it will be interesting to see what comes next in this story, now that Nick Fury is at his lowest and his enemies… are on the rise. Until next time.

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