Warning! This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion episode 5.Secret Invasion episode 5’s ending fittingly sets up the season finale of the show with some big reveals and twists. Due to the nature of Secret Invasion‘s espionage-based plot, the show has included several cliffhanger endings. From the death of Maria Hill in the series premiere to the fakeout of G’iah’s demise and the unfortunate fate of Talos, Secret Invasion has left viewers tantalizingly waiting for each subsequent installment.
This trend was not bucked with Secret Invasion episode 5, which similarly left plot threads lingering in the run-up to the show’s sixth and final episode. Secret Invasion episode 5’s Easter egg-filled plot centered on the aftermath of Talos’ death, with Fury struggling to find allies among those he used to call friends. Toward the end of the episode, Fury manages to find an ally while obtaining a vital plot element that will undoubtedly be crucial to Secret Invasion‘s season finale.
Secret Invasion Episode 5 Sets Up Fury’s Last Stand
At the end of Secret Invasion episode 5, Nick Fury teams up with Sonya Falsworth. Given that Talos is now dead and Rhodes has been revealed as a Skrull, Fury had little left in the way of allies after Secret Invasion episode 4’s ending. As a result, he seeks out Sonya Falsworth to aid in his final confrontation with Gravik, which the ending of Secret Invasion episode 5 fittingly sets up. Fury’s final stand revolves around the Harvest, a DNA sample that Gravik has been searching for since the early episodes of the show.
Secret Invasion episode 5 ended with Fury obtaining the Harvest from a gravestone of his he had erected in Finland. The Harvest is a vial of Avengers DNA, which Gravik wishes to imbue himself with to further progress his Super Skrull experiments. Similarly, the end of the episode sees Fury preparing for his last stand against Gravik. Fury finally puts his iconic eyepatch back on, equips himself with various weapons, and leaves as the episode fades to black. This sets up a huge conflict between Gravik and Fury in Secret Invasion episode 6, something that Sonya, G’iah, Varra, and Skrull-Rhodey will likely play a part in.
Why Fury Harvested The Avengers’ DNA
With Secret Invasion episode 5’s Avengers DNA reveal, the question is raised over why Fury had their DNA sampled in the first place. Fury reveals to Sonya that he sent Skrull infiltrators – including Gravik – to the site of the Battle of Earth seen in Avengers: Endgame to retrieve DNA samples from all major Avengers that were injured during the battle. This is what kickstarted Secret Invasion, as Gravik’s war centers on using the DNA he and Fury harvested as a means of becoming powerful enough to take Earth for his own. Naturally, this begs the question of why Fury would harvest the DNA that could be utilized for evil means.
While not explicitly explained in Secret Invasion episode 5, the decision likely stems from the crisis of faith that Nick Fury has been shown to have throughout the show. From losing his touch to hiding away in space after the Blip, it is clear that Thanos’ victory over the Avengers shook Fury, whose entire MCU arc has centered on protecting Earth from otherworldly threats. Despite the Avengers bringing everyone back and defeating Thanos eventually, it is likely Fury harvested their DNA as a failsafe.
It could be revealed that the Harvest was a plan in case the Avengers lost again in the future. This way, Fury would have access to their DNA in a bid to potentially create more heroes of Earth should the Avengers fail at some point after Avengers: Endgame. This decision will likely be explored in Secret Invasion episode 6 during Gravik and Fury’s final confrontation, as the Harvest is linked intrinsically to both characters. It could be revealed that Gravik’s Super Skull machine was Fury’s idea, with the Harvest being a failsafe to create Skrull Avengers should the real team ever be defeated.
Why Fury Puts His Eye Patch Back On
One of the more satisfying moments of Secret Invasion episode 5’s ending comes as Fury once again dons his iconic eyepatch, something that ties into his character arc for the series. Throughout Secret Invasion, Fury has constantly been berated by both his allies and enemies, who insist that he is not the same man who once protected Earth. This ties to Fury’s crisis of faith, with many characters from Secret Invasion telling Fury that he has lost his touch, and is not the competent super spy he once was.
This change in Fury’s character was mirrored by his physical appearance in Secret Invasion. The more disheveled look of Fury throughout the show has emulated the less-competent version of the character, with his graying, untamed beard and the lack of his eyepatch solidifying how little of the old Fury remains. With the end of Secret Invasion episode 5 though, Fury regains his eyepatch from one of his fake graves, alongside his black leather trench coat, and equips it for his final stand against Gravik.
This is meant as a metaphor. As of the end of Secret Invasion episode 5, the renowned superspy Nick Fury from the MCU’s Infinity Saga returns. The shot of Fury wearing his eyepatch again is accompanied by Secret Invasion‘s main theme, solidifying that this scene is meant to convey the return of the Nick Fury that MCU characters were confident in throughout Phases 1, 2, and 3. The eyepatch is a symbolic way of representing the final steps of Fury’s character arc that will lead him into the final episode of Secret Invasion as he confronts Gravik as the spy he once was.
Who Fury Calls At The End Of Secret Invasion Episode 5
One of the burning questions that Secret Invasion episode 5’s ending leaves viewers with is who Fury calls. After putting his eyepatch and trench coat back on, Fury calls someone and utters the words “It’s time, let’s finish this.” The episode does not divulge who Fury is talking to on the other end of the phone, which has led many to theorize who the mystery recipient could be.
The likeliest outcome is that Fury was simply talking to Gravik. Secret Invasion episode 5’s earlier scenes show that Gravik and Fury have a means of contacting one another, and the two organized a meeting to settle their feud once and for all. As such, it is likely that Fury is calling Gravik to tell him that he is ready to meet now that he has retrieved the Harvest from its secret location.
However, it could be revealed in Secret Invasion episode 6 that Fury was talking to someone else. Throughout Secret Invasion‘s five episodes thus far, the most overt references to the wider MCU have been concerning the Avengers and why Fury is not contacting anyone to help him fight the Skrulls. Similarly, Secret Invasion‘s many twists and turns showcase the show’s willingness to include shocking revelations.
To pay off these references and continue the trend of major twists, the show’s finale could reveal that Fury was talking to an Avenger to come and help. The lines Fury spoke on the phone in Secret Invasion episode 5’s ending do apply to Gravik, but could easily be retconned to show him asking for aid. The most likely recipient of the phone call is Captain Marvel, who has shown to have an extra close relationship with Fury in the MCU. Regardless, MCU fans will need to wait until Secret Invasion episode 6 airs for the reveal of who was on the other end of Fury’s ultimatum.
New episodes of Secret Invasion release every Wednesday on Disney+.
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This story originally appeared on Screenrant
