Here is my Secret Invasion Episode 2 review and man, I have to say, I loved it. If you read my review last week of the premiere that you know I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I could see potential, but wasn’t sure if that potential would be fulfilled. Well, Episode 2 was for me heads and shoulders above the premiere. However, as always, that’s based on my tastes as a viewer, will you like it? Depends what floats your boat.
This is an NO SPOILER review folks, so I’m not getting into the weeds of the plot here.
Will You like This?
The thing with Secret Invasion is, that not all Marvel fans may find a home here. So far Secret Invasion has played out more like an adult spy drama, which is also why I’m loving it. However, if you want more pew pew, and superhero poses from all your Marvel intake then perhaps Secret Invasion isn’t for you.
There is, I would say, one action sequence in this entire episode and it’s not a huge one. I didn’t need anymore because I was completely engaged with the story being told. Jackson’s Nick Fury was slightly more reserved in the first episode but things are getting worse and we are starting to see the real Nick Fury that exists under all the hats he wears. Still, some of my favorite scenes this week were simple conversations between Nick and other players. That IS drama for me. However, I know it’s not for everyone. I can’t see a 12 yo kid loving Secret Invasion, for example.
Performances
This is where Episode 2 shines for me. We are starting to get into these characters a little more and seeing different sides to them. Last week I was unsure about main antagonist Gravik, but he is brilliant this week and I thought actor Kingsley Ben-Adir was tremendous. Episode 1 he was sort of in the background and I didn’t understand him yet, but this week his character grows and the performance matches.
I already mentioned Samuel L. Jackson was great this week, but so were the rest of the cast we met in Episode 1. Emilia Clarke’s role is kinda simmering currently as she just sort of lurks, but you know some drama is coming for her down the line. Coleman was great again and only in one (very good) scene. There’s a few other actors you’ll recognize who show up this week but no spoilers. Cheadle also has 1-2 great scenes this week and I’m liking this change in Rhodey very much.
Surprises and Feel
There are some surprises this week, and one major one happens at the episode’s close. However I won’t be mentioning that other than that I really loved how it was shot and set up earlier. It was also a surprise genuinely as it’s not necessarily something you’d see coming ahead of time without knowing.
There are a few Skrull reveals which I’d guess would count as surprises, but to be honest those should have been seen coming a mile away, and they all make sense based on the plot of the show. I’m also surprised and impressed with how gritty they are trying to keep this whilst maintaining a PG-13 rating. There are some quite violent moments that are shot well to avoid pushing over that limit and it’s all put together well.
I definitely feel a more cinematic vibe from Secret Invasion at times. Yet, equally so far the show can also feel claustrophobic when it wants to narrow things down.
Ultimately this is right up my street as a TV series. Whilst I can’t say the trend will continue, I thought Episode 2 was great. I will also say I’m enjoying these longer run times as we feel we have time to really get plot and characters development rather than one or the other, which happens on some other Marvel shows.
GRADE: A
As always, let me know what you thought of my Secret Invasion Episode 2 review or leave your own in the usual place below.
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