The climax of Secret Invasion unfolds with a dual strategy devised by Sonya and Fury. Following their clandestine meeting in Finland during the previous episode, they've come to a chilling realization: the Skrulls are plotting to ignite a conflict between Russia and the United States. To thwart this diabolical scheme, Sonya swiftly executes one prong of the plan within the hospital where Ritson lies recuperating, while Fury embarks on a perilous journey to New Skrullos to confront Gravik head-on.
Before Fury departs, he makes a heart-wrenching phone call to Priscilla, a seemingly final farewell that signals the end of their intricate relationship. With a heavy heart, he proceeds to the facility, dispatching the guards at the entrance without mercy. Upon entering, Fury is startled to discover the complex deserted, a haunting silence that echoes throughout the empty hallways. The radioactive fallout from the nuclear plants chokes the air, making each breath a struggle. He constantly fumbles in his pockets for pills that offer him a fleeting sense of stability.
As Fury strides into the chamber containing the ominous machine, he finds Gravik awaiting him. Both men step into the confines of the machine, and Gravik begins his sermon-like monologue. He reminisces about viewing Fury as a hero and executing the man whose skin he wears on Fury's orders. According to Gravik, Fury promised the Skrulls a new home, filling them with hope. He scoffs at Talos, branding him a timid general who couldn't stand up to Fury, whereas he, Gravik, is made of sterner stuff.
Gravik declares that Fury deserves to die for his betrayal and must live with the knowledge that he couldn't save the human race. To Fury's surprise, he accepts all the accusations and concedes that he has failed them. He pleads with Gravik not to spark a war between the US and Russia and offers him The Harvest as a fulfillment of his promise. Gravik stares in disbelief, his amazement multiplying when he verifies the authenticity of its contents.
The machine harboring the DNA of the Avengers roared to life, granting Gravik his formidable powers. As the machine completed its task, Gravik emerged, shirtless and transformed into his true avatar - a towering, menacing figure. Fury, still grappling for control, was cornered by Gravik's menacing presence. But when the attack came, Fury's strength was unyielding, deflecting the blow.
Miraculously, Fury unleashed a punch that sent Gravik soaring miles into the sky, crashing out of the facility. It was then revealed that Fury was merely a vessel, as G'iah had taken his form! She had absorbed the Avengers' powers, just as Gravik had, and now the two were locked in an epic battle.
The clash was a spectacle of incredible power, with both combatants wielding the abilities of numerous Avengers. Among the dazzling displays of power, none were as striking as Captain Marvel's. But in the end, G'iah's cunning prevailed. She used the powers of Mantis to lull Gravik into a deep sleep. With her foe incapacitated, G'iah delivered a fatal blow, piercing Gravik's heart and ending his threat once and for all.
Unencumbered by her foe, G'iah moved swiftly to liberate the important emissaries held captive within the facility. Among them were Colonel Rhodes, Agent Ross, and the esteemed British Prime Minister. With Gravik vanquished and the captives freed, a new era of hope and possibility dawned.
Meanwhile, within the hospital's hushed corridors, Sonya cleverly concocted a bogus phone call to the impostor Rhodes. With calculated urgency, she ordered him to "Secure the President." Panic-stricken, Rhodes obeyed without question. One by one, Sonya and her accomplice stealthily neutralized the entire security team on the floor, leaving only Ritson, Rhodes, Sonya, and, in a startling twist, Fury standing.
Earlier, Rhodes had unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Ritson to authorize the strike, and the President had grudgingly acquiesced. Now, in a tense standoff reminiscent of a Mexican shootout, Ritson was torn between belief and doubt. The tense situation finally came to a climax when Fury, without hesitation, shot Rhodes dead in the head, prompting Ritson to abandon the strike. Convinced that the alien species posed a dire threat to humanity, he declared them as "enemy combatants."
Later, Fury appeared at Priscilla's doorstep, bidding her a heartfelt farewell. He reassured her that he would always be there for her whenever she was ready to seek him out. Meanwhile, Sonya, with a sneer of triumph, struck a deal with G'iah. Their agreement was candid and mutually beneficial, leaving no room for pretense or deceit.
Not long after, Fury contacted Ritson and sternly reprimanded him for his inflammatory speech. Little did they know, the Skrulls across the globe were suddenly under attack, resulting in the tragic loss of many innocent lives.
Ritson, now enraged and distraught, begged Fury to evict the Skrulls from their planet. As Fury prepared to depart for SABER, Varra unexpectedly appeared. She insisted on being called Varra instead of Priscilla, reflecting the world's shifting perception of them. Fury revealed that the Kree, who had usurped the Skrulls' planet, were now willing to negotiate peace. He made a heartfelt plea to Varra to join him, but she firmly stated that her mission was to remain on Earth. Nevertheless, she agreed to accompany him until the peace talks were successful.
The Secret Invasion universe remains a maze of unresolved mysteries, intricately intertwined with the upcoming MCU film, The Marvels. Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau are poised to join Fury on SABER, embarking on a perilous journey to untangle some of these lingering threads. Among them are the enigmatic alliance between Sonya and G'iah for a "secret project" and the ominous prophecy surrounding Ritson's downfall. Moreover, the revelation that Thaddeus Ross (portrayed by Harrison Ford) will ascend to the presidency in Captain America 4 (officially titled "Brave New World") adds another layer of complexity to this intricate narrative.
In the absence of a second season, this marks the conclusive chapter of the Secret Invasion arc, paving the way for the exciting adventures of The Marvels, set to premiere later this year.
