Secret Invasion Episode 5 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.

Will there be any Skrulls left by the end of this series? That’s just one of many questions following the conclusion of Secret Invasion episode 5. Gravik’s gradual shift from the face of a radical movement to a literal tyrant accelerates during this episode, revealing more of his flaws and making him far more menacing and unpredictable. Most importantly, he’s thinned the herd so much that there are now far fewer shape-shifters to rank this week!

Last week’s Secret Invasion episode four Skrulls power rankings saw a newcomer enter the top five in Rhodey (Don Cheadle) or more specifically, the Skrull impersonating him. This week’s list does not welcome any new additions, but does include some Skrulls moving up and down the board. Due to the unhinged behavior of Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir) this week, multiple Skrulls who had previously populated these rankings are now deceased, making it difficult to fill out the list.

*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Secret Invasion episode 5*

Weekly reminder: only established Skrulls, or characters being impersonated by one during an episode of Secret Invasion qualify for inclusion on this list. Skrulls who have either appeared or been referenced in previous projects, but not in this series, will not be included. As Beto (Samuel Adewunmi), Poprishchin (Uriel Emil), Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Pagon (Killian Scott) and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) have all passed away, and no active Skrulls have logged enough screen time to be deemed worthy. Therefore, one extra spot will be awarded to them this week.

Last week: 4 (down one spot)

No misdirection here, as Talos is indeed deceased. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) confirms his passing, and he is laid to rest by Giah (Emilia Clarke) and Varra (Charlayne Woodard) in accordance with Skrull tradition. It’s not yet clear whether Talos’ death is meant to serve as motivation for G’iah to continue her fight against Gravik, or is simply designed as a natural stepping off point for the character. Regardless, it’s a shame to see him ushered out of the MCU so abruptly after being underutilized to this extent.

Last week: 3 (down one spot)

Much like the other Skrulls that remain within Gravik’s movement, Raava appears skeptical of his recent decision-making, particularly the strategy to bomb New Skrullos. Her access to the President remains considerable, despite Fury’s efforts to alert the Commander-In-Chief to the deception. The would-be Colonel manages to stay a step ahead of Fury by leaking the footage of Gravik, disguised as the Fury, murdering Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders). However, it’s unclear how long this leverage will last.

Last week: 5 (up two spots)

Varra proves once again to be a criminally underutilized character in episode five, this time showing off her impressive self-defense capabilities. Varra’s refusal to leave her home despite being fully aware that Gravik’s henchmen are heading there to kill her is a big time power move, hence the two-spot jump this week. Varra commands the screen during every second of her abbreviated screen time, which begs the question: why she hasn’t gotten more shine? Here’s hoping Varra has one more trick up her sleeve for the Secret Invasion finale!

Last week: 1 (down one spot)

If anyone identified Gravik as a sympathetic villain prior to episode five, that sentiment is surely gone. Gravik has been taking out operatives who fail to carry out his orders since the start of the series, so in theory, the decision to kill Pagon for insubordination isn’t too surprising. However, his followers clearly feel differently, and this act serves as the breaking point which triggers a mutiny. As a showdown with Fury awaits in the finale, it’s difficult to predict how things will end for Gravik, other than to assume that said ending will be fairly explosive.

Last week: 2 (up one spot)

Guilt-ridden over the final words she uttered to her father, G’iah spends Secret Invasion‘s penultimate episode searching for a way to lay him to rest. Her newfound determination is on full display, as she aids Varra in fending off Gravik’s hitmen. While G’iah’s future within the MCU is uncertain, it seems evident that she’ll put her Super Skrull abilities to good use and aid Fury in the final conflict against Gravik. Beyond that, perhaps a reunion with childhood friend Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) is on the horizon?

Unless there are plans for a second season, it’s unlikely that Secret Invasion would reveal any new Skrulls during next week’s episode. Stranger things have happened though! Luckily, this week’s list of individuals who could be revealed as Skrulls in the finale actually grew, so another option has been added to the field. As always, only characters who have appeared in at least one episode are eligible.

Last week: unranked

The lack of newly introduced human characters in this series is so glaring that all it takes to make the possible Skrulls list is 30 seconds of screen time! Based on that criteria, consider Rick Mason (O-T Fagbenle) officially under surveillance. Isn’t it a little convenient that he comes out of the woodwork now, just as Gravik is so close to getting what he wants from Fury? Perhaps the Skrull general has sent Mason (or someone impersonating him) as insurance to ensure no quick getaway for slick Nick. Is this theory flimsy and basically grasping at straws? Yeah, absolutely. Deal with it.

Last week: 1 (down one spot)

Given that Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford) will soon assume the Oval Office, it’s entirely possible that next week will be the final appearance for President Ritson (Dermot Mulroney). He appears to be a bit skeptical of Rhodey’s (or, more accurately, Raava’s) counsel while laying in his hospital bed. Is this because he’s a Skrull himself, unbeknownst to Raava or Gravik? Or does the President simply have a difficult time processing the revelation that an alien race has been living on Earth for decades now? Only time will tell, but it seems likely that his next move could cost him everything.

Last week: 2 (up one spot)

Last week, it was theorized that Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman) might actually be Talos’ wife Soren, and that his death would lure her out of hiding. Well, that theory no longer seems to hold water, as episode five would have been the ideal opportunity to make that reveal. However, Olivia doesn’t quite pass the sniff test when it comes to proving she isn’t a Skrull. This episode alone, she takes out two more! Perhaps getting them out of the way, so she can achieve her own endgame? Her surprised reaction at the information that Rhodey is actually a Skrull is also thoroughly unconvincing.

The past two episodes of Secret Invasion have left many viewers a bit miffed due to their reduced runtimes of 38 and 39 minutes, respectively. Considering the great deal of uncertainty as to how the series will end, and the plot points that have yet to be resolved, the finale likely needs an hour-long runtime to attain any resolution, but it’s unsure whether that will be the case. Given that Secret Invasion serves as a prelude to The Marvels and Nick Fury is alive and well in promotional images and trailers for that film, any twist ending seems unlikely to involve him. Will there be any other Skrull-related fallout? We’ll know soon enough.

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