Secret Invasion Episode 4 Skrulls Power Rankings

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Uh-oh, the Super Skrulls are here, folks! Secret Invasion episode 4 reveals the DNA harvesting experiments have been successful for Skrulls other than Gravik. It also appears that the shape-shifters have had enough with their stealth-like infiltration of Earth, opting instead to begin their hostile takeover of the planet. This episode is the shortest thus far in run time at 37 minutes, and is primarily spent adding additional context and exposition to past events. That being said, it does confirm the true identity of a particular character that has been under a microscope since the start of the series.

Last week’s Secret Invasion episode three Skrulls power rankings experienced minor shifts within the top five, but no additions or removals. This week’s list, however, sees some Skrulls shuffled, as well as some material changes. Pagon (Killian Scott) has been bumped from our power rankings this week in favor of a newly confirmed Skrull (previously revealed by voice in episode three but not seen on screen). In addition to changes to the field, there has also been considerable movement throughout the list.

*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion episode 4*

As always, a disclaimer: only established Skrulls or characters being impersonated by one during an episode of Secret Invasion can qualify for inclusion. Hence, why a previously suspected shape-shifter was not ranked until being seen during this week’s episode. Skrulls that have either appeared or been referenced in previous projects, but not in this series, are also not included. Beto (Samuel Adewunmi), Poprishchin (Uriel Emil) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and Pagon have been included in previous rankings.

Last week: 4 (down one spot)

Varra (Charlayne Woodard) is back in the fifth spot on this week’s list, primarily due to a new addition who debuts in front of her. Varra is ordered to kill her vagabond husband, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), an assignment of which the latter is aware. Along with many other things in this absurdly fast-paced episode, this conflict is quickly glossed over. In a frustrating development, the couple discusses the elephant in the room and prepare to take out one another from opposite sides of the dining room table. They each miss their shot intentionally and Fury departs their home to continue his mission. Perhaps this is the way Skrulls and humans divorce? No legal proceedings needed, apparently!

Last week: 1 (down three spots)

Currently facing an uncertain fate, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) takes a nosedive in this week’s Skrulls power rankings. His daughter literally risks her life and betrays Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) to come to his aid. She then asks for Talos’ master plan, only for him to reveal that it’s essentially “if we stop Gravik, the humans might like us and let us stay.” G’iah (Emilia Clarke) likely speaks for most of the audience when she calls him delusional and walks off in disgust. Talos shows strength and nobility when trying to save President Ritson from Gravik’s ambush, only to wind up on the brink of death himself. Tragic.

Last week: unranked

Will the real James Rhodes please stand up? The worst kept secret in the entire series has been revealed: Rhodey (Don Cheadle) is actually a Skrull named Raava, and likely has been for some time now. Of all ways to establish this, a verbal cue and a mirror wipe in episodes three and four, respectively, is extremely anticlimactic. Regardless, it’s worth revisiting Rhodey’s past appearances to try and pinpoint when exactly he was taken by Skrulls and replaced with Raava. The Blip is as good a guess as any, as the entire universe was reeling. A period where countless people vanished without explanation would have been the perfect opportunity to infiltrate world powers with little to no pushback.

Last week: 3 (up one spot)

At least episode four wastes no time addressing the previous week’s surprise (and controversial) ending! G’iah is now a Super Skrull, reviving herself with the same Extremis DNA that Gravik uses to heal his hand the episode prior. While Gravik does state that he plans on turning his compatriots into Super Skrulls, G’iah obtaining new abilities certainly isn’t in his plans. She’s now a lone wolf, denouncing both Gravik’s brutality and Talos’ naive plan. It’s unknown where G’iah’s story will go from here, but one thing is certain: she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Last week: 2 (up one spot)

Gravik is unsurprisingly back on top of our Skrulls power rankings. Now armed with Groot’s DNA in addition to Extremis, his enhanced abilities are just as dangerous as his personality. No longer interested in hiding among the shadows, Gravik attacks the President’s motorcade and stabs an already-wounded Talos, seemingly killing him. Without the help of any similarly enhanced individuals, it looks increasingly unlikely that Fury will be able to take out this emerging threat. Gravik’s wrath might only be just beginning.

Secret Invasion episode 4 continues the series trend of not introducing any human characters of significance or intrigue. The challenge is expanded by Rhodey being officially revealed as a Skrull and therefore jumping from one list to the other. Therefore, this week’s list is reduced to a pair of individuals who could be revealed as Skrulls before Secret Invasion concludes. As always, only characters who have appeared in the first four episodes are eligible.

Last week: 3 (up one spot)

Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman) is too good of a character to just be outright shelved like she is in episode four. As she is not included, there are no new cues that could be indicative of a secret identity. However, here’s an interesting theory: what if Sonya is actually Soren, Talos’ allegedly deceased wife? The details surrounding Soren’s death have been murky at best, perhaps intentionally. Could Soren be alive and actually deep undercover in an agency outside of Fury’s influence? If so, it’s possible that Talos’ tenuous fate would draw her out. It’s a working theory, although admittedly flimsy.

Last week: 2 (up one spot)

President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney) probably wishes that he had remained in the Oval Office, as he becomes the target of Gravik’s latest attack this week. Several questions arise in the wake of his resurfacing, however. Why is Gravik intent on taking him out, rather than capturing him? In theory, Raava could have captured him to replace with a follow Skrull at any time. Conversely, why was Talos so interested in saving the President, risking his own life to do so? Perhaps the President is Talos’ secret Skrull ally, rather than one to Rhodey or Gravik. It’s a fascinating situation, for sure.

Now that Rhodey’s identity as a high ranking Skrull operative has been revealed, are any additional surprises in store? As of right now, the only real threat to Gravik’s plans seems to be G’iah, and her enhanced abilities don’t appear to be on par with his. The pair of Super Skrulls hold the top two spots in our rankings, but could any other enhanced shape-shifters surface and threaten their standing? With only two episodes left, it’s critical for Secret Invasion to conclude its story in a much more developed manner, as its latest chapter feels both rushed and unsatisfying.

Stay tuned to the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest coverage of Secret Invasion, including weekly reviews, news, and interviews!