In the first episode of Marvel’s “Secret Invasion,” a shocking twist occurs as Maria Hill tragically dies, leaving a significant impact on the MCU. After making a brief appearance in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” Nick Fury and Maria Hill reunite on-screen for the first time since “Avengers: Endgame.” As established in “Far From Home,” Nick Fury had been working at SABER in space following Tony Stark’s funeral. This sets the stage for the story in Secret Invasion episode 1, highlighting Hill’s disappointment in Fury’s lack of communication.
Based on the events depicted in the first episode, it appears that Maria Hill’s death is indeed real. She is left bleeding on the ground, completely alone. Furthermore, in the episode’s credits, she is listed as a “special guest star,” indicating that this episode is her sole appearance in the series.
In Secret Invasion season 1, episode 1, a significant development occurs when it is revealed that Everett Ross is one of the Skrulls disguising themselves as Marvel characters. The circumstances surrounding Ross’s replacement and the whereabouts of the real Ross remain a mystery. However, the most significant twist in episode 1 is Maria Hill’s death, raising the stakes for the remaining episodes of Secret Invasion.
Maria Hill loses her life during an unofficial mission in Secret Invasion episode 1. She, along with Talos and Nick Fury, attempts to prevent Gravik’s Skrull group from bombing a public place in Russia. Gravik’s plan involves escalating tensions between the world’s nuclear nations, leading to a potential World War III and the destruction of humanity. The Skrulls’ secret invasion has already been responsible for several terrorist attacks, and Fury believes that he can prevent the next one. Unfortunately, Hill is shot and killed by Gravik, who poses as Nick Fury.
The death of Maria Hill in the concluding moments of Secret Invasion episode 1 is a tragic event, made even more devastating by the circumstances surrounding it. Hill’s final sight is of Nick Fury, or so she thinks, shooting her. In reality, Gravik used his shapeshifting abilities to impersonate Fury and deceive Hill before taking her life. This demonstrates that in a story like Secret Invasion, where any MCU character could be a Skrull in disguise, trust becomes a scarce commodity. Additionally, Gravik’s ruthless act of killing Maria Hill showcases the villain’s cold-hearted nature.
The ending of Secret Invasion episode 1 also hints at the complexity of G’iah, Emilia Clarke’s character in the Marvel series. G’iah appears to switch sides and provides Talos with crucial information about Gravik’s plan. This gives Nick Fury, Maria Hill, and Talos the confidence to confront the Skrulls’ impending bombing attack, even without any help or allies. However, the ending of episode 1 suggests that G’iah never actually betrayed Gravik. Instead, she led her father and his associates, including Maria Hill, straight into a trap. This indicates that G’iah will be a multifaceted protagonist in the series.
