WARNING: This article has SPOILERS for Secret InvasionFrom the onset, Secret Invasion has been a point of criticism. Its first episode received backlash when it was revealed that Marvel had used AI to create Secret Invasion’s title sequence – a clear affront to those working in the creative industry. The show had a promising set-up, and fans were initially excited to see how Secret Invasion delivered. The show’s premise centered around Nick Fury’s discovery that shape-shifting Skrulls had been secretly taking over Earth. However, Secret Invasion’s finale failed to deliver, and the show is currently receiving an onslaught of criticism.
At the time of writing, Secret Invasion’s final episode has become the worst rated MCU TV episode of all time. The show’s finale has currently received a score of 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is shockingly low – even in comparison to Marvel’s recent flops. Audiences are attributing the finale’s failure to its incredibly poor pacing, with fans arguing that the show feels overwhelming rushed - something which has reopened discourse concerning Marvel’s apparent dip in quality.
Why did the series feel so rushed?
When Secret Invasion aired its first episode, fans were expecting 60-minute installments, with the show’s first two episodes seemingly setting this precedent. Secret Invasion’s first episode was 55 minutes long, and its second episode was 58 minutes. However, following the second episode, the episodes started getting shorter and shorter, resulting in a sudden drop in the show’s quality.
Secret Invasion’s finale only had a mere 38-minute running time – something which fans have attributed to the finale’s flop. Since the finale was aired, fans have taken to social media to vocalize their frustrations at the finale’s running time, arguing that 38 minutes wasn’t enough time to wrap up the show. As a result, the finale has an incredibly rushed feel to it, leaving fans with an abundance of unanswered questions and gaping plot holes.
The show’s entire premise was building up to the fight against Gravik, the Skrull leader. However, due to the finale’s short-running time, this hugely anticipated fight scene only lasted around 6 minutes – something which greatly aggravated fans. Because of this rushed fight scene, audiences are arguing that the show’s payoff was non-existent. Ultimately, fans are frustrated that Secret Invasion wasn’t handled with more effort. The show’s finale failed to hold any significance, which emphasizes the show’s incredibly rushed narrative and poor pacing.
Before Secret Invasion’s first episode was released, fans were eagerly anticipating Nick Fury’s return to the screen. Because of the show’s initial hype, audiences were counting down the days until its release. Based on the esteemed 2008 Marvel Comics of the same name, Secret Invasion was set to focus on hugely significant MCU characters, such as agent Maria Hill, and had a star-studded cast attached to it, including Emilia Clarke, Olivia Coleman, and Kingsley Ben-Adir – what wasn’t to love? However, since the show’s finale was released, audiences agree that Secret Invasion wasted its fantastic cast due to the show’s rushed plot-lines and poor writing. From the outset, Secret Invasion promptly failed a beloved MCU character, as seen via Maria Hill’s sudden death in the first episode.
Why are fans disappointed by Secret Invasion’s finale?
Fans are asserting that the show’s final episode didn’t feel like a finale at all, making Secret Invasion seem like a colossal let-down. Audiences are critiquing the finale’s rushed feel, arguing that the show’s final installment failed to feel significant due to the episode’s rushed pace. Some audience members are even contending that the anticipated fight scene was boring and lacked depth.
The show’s focal twist was Rhodey’s Skrull reveal, but even this was met with criticism. Audiences are arguing that Rhodey’s Skrull reveal weakens his beloved character and ruins his past moments in the MCU, such as his involvement in Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Ultimately, audiences are contending that the show’s entire premise felt pointless and failed to add anything significant to the MCU.
Despite the finale’s brief 38-minute run time, there was no post-credit scene – something which further irked its audience. Fans believe that Secret Invasion’s post-credit scene would’ve been an excellent opportunity to set up Marvel’s upcoming movie, The Marvels. However, the show failed to deliver on this front, heightening fans’ frustrations. Secret Invasion’s poorly received finale has also reopened discourse in relation to Marvel’s past controversies.
Marvel’s visual effects have once again been a point of criticism. Fans are arguing that the CGI during the finale’s fight scene was incredibly poor. This is greatly concerning seeing as Secret Invasion had a staggering budget of $212 million – more than Oppenheimer and Barbie. As fans will know, this isn’t the first time that Marvel has come under fire for its visual effects. Last summer, even Thor: Love and Thunder’s own director, Taika Waititi, mocked Marvel’s poor CGI, claiming that Korg didn’t look real. This also relates to the ongoing controversy that Marvel has been overworking their VFX artists – evidencing the company’s rush to produce content.
Marvel’s abundance of rushed content has resulted in an onslaught of criticism and has actually turned fans away from the MCU – something which Secret Invasion further evidences. However, the influx of MCU content isn’t expected to end anytime soon. Loki Season 2 is Marvel’s latest Disney+ series, which is expected to premiere in October 2023. However, due to the beloved reception of the show’s first season, fans are hoping that Loki Season 2 does not follow suit of Secret Invasion.
Secret Invasion is available to stream on Disney+