Secret Invasion has emphasized that viewers can’t trust anyone, which seems especially relevant now that a member of the Avengers is a Skrull. Don Cheadle’s James “Rhodey” Rhodes (a.k.a. War Machine) is the only Avengers hero present in the new Marvel series, but he hasn’t seemed quite like himself. Rhodey has always been involved in the U.S. government due to his past as a high-ranking Air Force pilot. However, it seems he has climbed the government ranks quite significantly since we last saw him. Secret Invasion season 1 episode 2, “Promises,” sees Rhodey acting on behalf of the President of the United States while attending an international committee addressing the attack on Russia and later meeting with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
At first glance, he seems like the Rhodey we’re familiar with. He holds himself with authority and dignity, and dismisses the international committee’s speculations and attempts to raise hysteria. Rhodey has always been very professional and a no-nonsense individual who holds tightly to his strong moral compass. So even when he reacts with cold disappointment to Fury and fires him, it’s not too surprising. His duty is to the United States, and Fury had just failed to prevent a tragedy that could spark an international war, so his harshness is warranted, especially with Fury’s less-than-respectful reaction.
However, a few details in “Promises” and Secret Invasion episode 3, “Betrayed,” began stirring suspicion about whether Rhodey is really Rhodey. Now, the latest episode of Secret Invasion has confirmed viewers’ suspicions.
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Is Rhodey a Skrull?
Secret Invasion episode 4, “Beloved,” reveals that Rhodey has, indeed, been replaced by a Skrull in the MCU. In the episode, we see Fury’s wife, Priscilla (Charlayne Woodard), meet up with Rhodey, where he confirms his Skrull identity by ordering her to kill her husband. Later, when Fury goes to confront Skrull Rhodey himself, it is revealed that he’s being impersonated by a female Skrull and is working for Gravik. Additionally, Fury knows that Rhodey is a Skrull, causing him to put a tracker in Rhodey’s drink. What viewers don’t know, though, is where exactly the real Rhodey is and how long he has been a Skrull in the MCU.
Secret Invasion‘s teases of Rhodey’s true identity
Leading up to the big reveal, Secret Invasion had teased Rhodey’s replacement by a Skrull. In “Promises,” the greatest piece of evidence comes during his confrontation with Fury. While Rhodey’s firing of Fury could be seen as suspicious, what viewers latched onto was the fact that he refers to Fury as “Nick.” It’s subtle enough that some viewers might miss it, but Rhodey says quite clearly, “That’s what this moment right here, right now is about, Nick.” This moment feels very significant because, in Captain Marvel, Fury emphasizes that everyone calls him Fury. This name is used so frequently that he is even able to determine that someone is a Skrull just by them calling him Nick. Meanwhile, in “Betrayed,” Fury reiterates this point by identifying another Skrull when they call him Nick.
“Betrayed” has several moments that seem to confirm Rhodey is a Skrull. At one point in the episode, Fury meets with Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) and says, “[I] got a lead on a rebel Skrull that’s high up in the U.S. government, and he’s in London right now.” Considering that the show just established that Rhodey is very high up in the government and that Fury’s meeting with Rhodey took place in London, Rhodey matches the description of the rebel Skrull to a T.
Lastly, the episode ends by showing us that Priscilla is in communication with the rebel Skrulls. She attempts to make a phone call to Gravik (Kingsley Ben-Adir), but someone else answers the phone saying, “Yeah, well, you’re talking to me.” Although the voice isn’t explicitly identified, viewers who are familiar with Cheadle know that it was his unmistakable voice on the phone.
Now that Rhodey has been confirmed to be a Skrull, it will be interesting to see how long ago this development occurred and just how much damage he has caused in the MCU due to his rank in the U.S. government.
(featured image: Disney+)
