Secret Invasion episode 3 is now streaming on Disney+, and its jaw-dropping conclusion is…controversial, to say the least. While Skrulls murdering their own kind is nothing new and featured in each of the first two episodes, this is the first instance where a prominent shape-shifter meets their demise (or have they?). Nevertheless, the actions taken by various characters during episode three have caused quite a shakeup within this week’s Skrulls power rankings.
Last week, our Secret Invasion episode two Skrulls power rankings saw the field condensed into the top five Skrulls to make an appearance during the series. This week’s rankings take the same format; some deceased Skrulls are removed from the previous list, with the rationale being that since they did not appear in episode two, they no longer qualified. As there is a presumed (but yet to be confirmed) demise at the conclusion of episode three, no Skrulls have been removed entirely this week. Despite no changes to the field, however, there has been considerable movement.
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion episode 3*
Secret Invasion episode 3 Skrulls power rankings
A disclaimer to anyone who has missed our first two power rankings: in order to qualify, a character must be an established Skrull, or impersonated by one during an episode of Secret Invasion. The voice of a suspected Skrull does not (yet) count! Viewers should therefore understand that, as there were no new Skrulls introduced during this week’s episode, there can be no new additions to the rankings. Any characters presumed to be Skrulls will only be added to the field once their identity is confirmed. Skrulls that have appeared in previous projects, but not in this series, are also not included.
5. Pagon
Last week: 4 (down one spot)
It’s become increasingly challenging to give Pagon (Killian Scott) the benefit of the doubt. Yes, he’s a critical component in Gravik’s operation and, possibly the only individual that he trusts, but Pagon’s continued lack of screen time makes it difficult to keep him in our Skrulls power rankings. For now, he remains included by default, sliding into this week’s fifth and final spot. The possibility of an exciting combat scene in one of Secret Invasion‘s final episodes might be the only way to prevent a future confirmed Skrull for bumping him off our list altogether.
4. Varra
Last week: 5 (up one spot)
If the expression “happy wife, happy life” is to be believed, then perhaps it’s clear why things are so chaotic for Nick Fury. Varra (Charlayne Woodard) unloads on her wayward hubby in episode three, and makes her discontent quite clear regarding his most recent prolonged absence. Fury’s suspicion that Varra might once again be in league with Gravik turns out to be justified, as she asks to speak with the General in the episode’s final scene. Who is she being instructed to murder, though? Are the Fury’s about to go through a killer divorce?
3. G’iah
Last week: 3 (no change)
Did Secret Invasion just fridge Khaleesi? Or is her apparent death a fake out to continue building on the established principle that nothing is what it seems? G’iah (Emilia Clarke) clearly shifts her allegiance to her father Talos in episode three and is no longer supportive of Gravik’s drastic measures. G’iah’s shoddiness as a double agent leads to her falling right into a suspecting Gravik’s trap. Does the gunshot wound actually kill her? Or is she perhaps now a Super Skrull herself, which would help her pull through?
2. Gravik
Last week: 1 (down one spot)
Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) slides down a spot this week after being in pole position during each of the first two. That being said, episode three is another exceptional showing for the General, who successfully identifies the traitor in his unit and is now confirmed to be a Super Skrull. The interesting question is where Gravik obtains his Extremis-laced DNA from that allows him to regenerate. The more pressing matter, however? Whether Gravik has actually neutralized G’iah, or if the people of Earth may soon have Super Skrulls of their own at their disposal to combat his rebels.
1. Talos
Last week: 2 (up one spot)
Initially appearing reserved and somewhat shell shocked at the start of Secret Invasion, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) is back with a vengeance! He meets with Gravik and emphatically stabs him through the hand after he threatens G’iah’s well-being. This is the kind of badass behavior that viewers have been expecting to see from him for some time now. His exchanges with Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) are full of passion and conviction. He’s back!
With three episodes left, which characters could still be revealed to be Skrulls?
Similar to the second episode, Secret Invasion‘s third chapter does not introduce any new noteworthy human characters. Although the occupants of the list below are no different from last week, episode three’s conclusion leads to a major shift in their order. The following three individuals remain likely to be revealed as Skrulls before Secret Invasion concludes, with one of them all but a certainty. As a reminder, only characters who have appeared in the first three episodes of Secret Invasion are eligible.
3. Sonya Falsworth
Last week: 1 (down two spots)
No, Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman) aiding Fury in his search for ‘General Bob’ (David Bark-Jones) is not a reason to decrease any suspicion of her true identity. Sonya clearly has her own agenda, and allowing Fury to take out any Skrulls who may be in her way is an effective manner to go about fulfilling it. She remains far too mysterious for anyone to truly trust her, even after that gruesome interrogation scene in episode two. Sonya does drop two spots this week, solely because of episode three’s surprise conclusion.
2. President Ritson
Last week: 3 (up one spot)
Moving up a spot despite not appearing or even being referenced in episode three is a difficult thing to accomplish. However, President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney) is far too close to number one on this list to ignore. The President has Fury fired and sends suspected Skrull Rhodey to do it. Coincidence? At this point, viewers should no longer believe in such a thing. Until proven otherwise, there is good reason to accept that the leader of the free world is actually a green shape-shifting alien. However, how much longer will he remain in such a powerful position?
1. Col. James Rhodes
Last week: 2 (up one spot)
While Secret Invasion has been full of twists and turns through its first three episodes, the (yet to be confirmed) reveal of Rhodey (Don Cheadle) as a Skrull is possibly the least surprising of them. The bigger surprise might actually be the fact that the revelation happens at the midpoint of the series, as opposed to the end of it. Rhodey is working with Gravik in some capacity, his phone call with Varra confirms as such. How long has he been a Skrull, though? Has Rhodey been in captivity since the early days of the MCU, or is this a more recent infiltration? More questions currently exist than answers.
A seismic shift is in store next week
It seems all but certain that Rhodey’s identity as a Skrull operative will be revealed during episode four. For now, all that’s been heard is his voice giving Varra a set of instructions. Once Rhodey is indeed revealed to be a Skrull, who might he bump from the power rankings? And who might be joining him there shortly afterward? Given Marvel Studios’ affinity for inserting big reveals towards the end of their streaming series, the odds are strong that Rhodey won’t be the last (or even the most shocking) of them!
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