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“So you are responsible for all of this?”
“Yeah.”
Secret Invasion‘s latest episode finally revealed the full extent of Gravik’s plan. He doesn’t just want to create Super Skrulls, he wants to become the most powerful being in the galaxy. The Harvest, a special serum made of superhero DNA, would allow him to gain the abilities of every Avenger who fought Thanos in the Battle of Earth, even Carol Danvers. But while it’s not shocking Gravik would seek out the Harvest, what is surprising is who created something so dangerous: Nick Fury.
Why would someone dedicated to protecting the world create the very thing that might destroy it? The world’s greatest spy had good intentions, but he made the same mistake the MCU’s heroes and villains alike always do.
What Does Gravik Want on Secret Invasion?
The combined powers of Groot, Cull Obsidian, a frost beast, and Extremis are not enough to defeat Earth’s mightiest heroes. Nick Fury’s close friend Captain Marvel could destroy that version of Gravik with minimum effort. If Skrulls can’t beat the Avengers they can’t conquer the world even if they manage to incite World War III between humans. To truly stand toe-to-toe with the Avengers and make Earth theirs, the Skrull general requires far more superpowers. To get what he needs he must find the Harvest.
What Is the Harvest on Secret Invasion?
The Harvest is a secret vial with the ability to create a being so powerful it might make them all but invincible. It contains the DNA of every single Avenger who fought in the Battle of Earth at the conclusion of Endgame. Everyone from Steve Rogers and Thor Odinson, to Wanda Maximoff and Bruce Banner, bled while fighting Thanos’ army. After the victory Nick Fury had the idea to send in Skrull collectors to take their blood from the battlefield. They then harvested all of the blood for super DNA and combined the genetic material into one concoction. (Hence the name “the Harvest.”)
The only people who knew about this work and the resulting serum were those who took the blood and the person who organized the project. And because that organizer was Nick Fury, the collectors were Skrulls disguised as humans. That included Gravik, the collectors’ leader.
Why Is Nick Fury Responsible for Gravik’s Plan on Secret Invasion?
The Harvest put humanity in danger because it led Gravik to hatch his plan. Nick Fury told Sonya Falsworth the very existence of that super vial likely gave Gravik the idea for his Super Skrull Machine. Without superpowers Gravik would never be able to defeat the Avengers and therefore never be able to make Earth the New Skrullos. Nick Fury gave him the means to do just that
If the spy hadn’t been smart enough to hide it from everyone Gravik would already have it.
Why Did Nick Fury Create the Harvest?
The Battle of Earth took place five years after Thanos dusted away half the universe. Nick Fury was among those who vanished. When he came back he was not the same man he’d been before, and it’s no mystery why the Snap seemingly broke him. His life’s work was protecting Earth. Fury was the one who came up with the Avengers Initiative. It was an incredible “idea” he’d successfully put into practice. But in the world’s greatest moment of need the Avengers weren’t there to save it. Nick Fury blamed himself. He believed he failed Earth and everyone on it, humans and Skrull alike.
Did he want the Harvest to create even more heroes? Was it meant to serve as a super backup in case Earth’s mightiest heroes vanished again or needed backup themselves? Both reasons likely motivated Fury, along with a bunch more we can’t even imagine. (This is the spy of all spies, after all. He’s always many moves ahead of everyone.) What we do know is that benevolent intentions or not, the very existence of the Harvest is yet another example of MCU heroes refusing to understand you can’t put a suit of armor around the world anymore than you can rely on the Avengers to always save it.
Order and Chaos in the MCU
Nick Fury created the Harvest for the same reason Tony Stark created Ultron. It’s the same reason He Who Remains created the TVA and Alexander Pierce joined HYDRA. All of them, heroes and villains alike, can’t see the undeniable truth Vision recognized long ago, that order and chaos are the same thing. Each thought it was possible to keep everyone on Earth safe by brute strength and control. But the natural order of life is chaos. To try and control chaos you unleash it.
In his desperate attempt to make sure he never failed Earth again, Nick Fury repeated the same mistake countless others have in the MCU. It’s an idea that remains at the forefront of the franchise. But Fury at least seems to understand what he’s done. It’s why he came back and why he must fight this war alone.
Why Won’t Nick Fury Call the Avengers to Help on Secret Invasion?
Once Secret Invasion‘s penultimate episode introduced the Harvest it could have easily explained Nick Fury’s reluctance to call on the Avengers. Between a Skrull replacing Rhodey and the way Gravik can use super blood to make himself more powerful, there are two very logical reasons for Fury not to call in his most powerful allies.
Instead Fury provided a far better reason. It’s not that this battle is just personal for him because of his role in making it possible. It’s personal for humanity. He now recognizes mankind cannot simply rely on a few super people to “swoop in and save our asses” every time the world is in danger. He tried that once and it didn’t work. A suit of armor, in any form or secret serum, isn’t protection. It puts everyone at risk.
People must instead find the strength to save themselves when the time comes. It took a lifetime for Nick Fury to appreciate how true that is. It’s why he alone can save humans and Skrulls from Gravik. The Avengers haven’t lived the life Nick Fury has and they can’t defend the world the way he can.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
The post SECRET INVASION Reveals What Gravik Wants in a Shocking Twist appeared first on Nerdist.
“So you are responsible for all of this?”
“Yeah.”
Secret Invasion‘s latest episode finally revealed the full extent of Gravik’s plan. He doesn’t just want to create Super Skrulls, he wants to become the most powerful being in the galaxy. The Harvest, a special serum made of superhero DNA, would allow him to gain the abilities of every Avenger who fought Thanos in the Battle of Earth, even Carol Danvers. But while it’s not shocking Gravik would seek out the Harvest, what is surprising is who created something so dangerous: Nick Fury.
Why would someone dedicated to protecting the world create the very thing that might destroy it? The world’s greatest spy had good intentions, but he made the same mistake the MCU’s heroes and villains alike always do.
What Does Gravik Want on Secret Invasion?
The combined powers of Groot, Cull Obsidian, a frost beast, and Extremis are not enough to defeat Earth’s mightiest heroes. Nick Fury’s close friend Captain Marvel could destroy that version of Gravik with minimum effort. If Skrulls can’t beat the Avengers they can’t conquer the world even if they manage to incite World War III between humans. To truly stand toe-to-toe with the Avengers and make Earth theirs, the Skrull general requires far more superpowers. To get what he needs he must find the Harvest.
What Is the Harvest on Secret Invasion?
The Harvest is a secret vial with the ability to create a being so powerful it might make them all but invincible. It contains the DNA of every single Avenger who fought in the Battle of Earth at the conclusion of Endgame. Everyone from Steve Rogers and Thor Odinson, to Wanda Maximoff and Bruce Banner, bled while fighting Thanos’ army. After the victory Nick Fury had the idea to send in Skrull collectors to take their blood from the battlefield. They then harvested all of the blood for super DNA and combined the genetic material into one concoction. (Hence the name “the Harvest.”)
The only people who knew about this work and the resulting serum were those who took the blood and the person who organized the project. And because that organizer was Nick Fury, the collectors were Skrulls disguised as humans. That included Gravik, the collectors’ leader.
Why Is Nick Fury Responsible for Gravik’s Plan on Secret Invasion?
The Harvest put humanity in danger because it led Gravik to hatch his plan. Nick Fury told Sonya Falsworth the very existence of that super vial likely gave Gravik the idea for his Super Skrull Machine. Without superpowers Gravik would never be able to defeat the Avengers and therefore never be able to make Earth the New Skrullos. Nick Fury gave him the means to do just that
If the spy hadn’t been smart enough to hide it from everyone Gravik would already have it.
Why Did Nick Fury Create the Harvest?
The Battle of Earth took place five years after Thanos dusted away half the universe. Nick Fury was among those who vanished. When he came back he was not the same man he’d been before, and it’s no mystery why the Snap seemingly broke him. His life’s work was protecting Earth. Fury was the one who came up with the Avengers Initiative. It was an incredible “idea” he’d successfully put into practice. But in the world’s greatest moment of need the Avengers weren’t there to save it. Nick Fury blamed himself. He believed he failed Earth and everyone on it, humans and Skrull alike.
Did he want the Harvest to create even more heroes? Was it meant to serve as a super backup in case Earth’s mightiest heroes vanished again or needed backup themselves? Both reasons likely motivated Fury, along with a bunch more we can’t even imagine. (This is the spy of all spies, after all. He’s always many moves ahead of everyone.) What we do know is that benevolent intentions or not, the very existence of the Harvest is yet another example of MCU heroes refusing to understand you can’t put a suit of armor around the world anymore than you can rely on the Avengers to always save it.
Order and Chaos in the MCU
Nick Fury created the Harvest for the same reason Tony Stark created Ultron. It’s the same reason He Who Remains created the TVA and Alexander Pierce joined HYDRA. All of them, heroes and villains alike, can’t see the undeniable truth Vision recognized long ago, that order and chaos are the same thing. Each thought it was possible to keep everyone on Earth safe by brute strength and control. But the natural order of life is chaos. To try and control chaos you unleash it.
In his desperate attempt to make sure he never failed Earth again, Nick Fury repeated the same mistake countless others have in the MCU. It’s an idea that remains at the forefront of the franchise. But Fury at least seems to understand what he’s done. It’s why he came back and why he must fight this war alone.
Why Won’t Nick Fury Call the Avengers to Help on Secret Invasion?
Once Secret Invasion‘s penultimate episode introduced the Harvest it could have easily explained Nick Fury’s reluctance to call on the Avengers. Between a Skrull replacing Rhodey and the way Gravik can use super blood to make himself more powerful, there are two very logical reasons for Fury not to call in his most powerful allies.
Instead Fury provided a far better reason. It’s not that this battle is just personal for him because of his role in making it possible. It’s personal for humanity. He now recognizes mankind cannot simply rely on a few super people to “swoop in and save our asses” every time the world is in danger. He tried that once and it didn’t work. A suit of armor, in any form or secret serum, isn’t protection. It puts everyone at risk.
People must instead find the strength to save themselves when the time comes. It took a lifetime for Nick Fury to appreciate how true that is. It’s why he alone can save humans and Skrulls from Gravik. The Avengers haven’t lived the life Nick Fury has and they can’t defend the world the way he can.
Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.
The post SECRET INVASION Reveals What Gravik Wants in a Shocking Twist appeared first on Nerdist.
Nella, an editorial assistant, is tired of being the only Black girl at her company, so she’s excited when Hazel is hired. But as Hazel’s star begins to rise, Nella spirals out and discovers something sinister is going on at the company.
Based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’ best-selling novel, The Other Black Girl is executive produced by Rashida Jones, Adam Fishbach, Zakiya Dalila Harris, Jordan Reddout, Gus Hickey, Tara Duncan, and Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey. Jordan Reddout and Gus Hickey also serve as co-showrunners.
The series stars: Sinclair Daniel, Ashleigh Murray, Brittany Adebumola, Hunter Parrish, Bellamy Young, Eric McCormack, and Garcelle Beauvais.
The series will premiere all 10 episodes on September 13.
Barbie’s journey is one from a beautiful, pink-palace existence to one that’s deeper, more meaningful, and more painful. Riding along with her, we have many opportunities to see ourselves reflected in her convertible’s rearview mirror.
Mattel’s Barbie is a burgeoning IP universe kicked off by what the toymaker hopes will be a summer blockbuster. Prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the film has enjoyed a marketing junket that included stunning red carpet premiere appearances, and headshots of featured players like Issa Rae (this Barbie is President), Dua Lipa (this Barbie is a mermaid), and America Ferrera (she’s a human).
The point of Barbie (the doll) is that she’s a tool of the imagination for anybody who wants to play with her. The point of Barbie (the movie) is that this blank-blonde canvas of our imaginations cannot be sure who she is or what it all means without our projections onto her.
Faced with cellulite and her high-heel shaped feet falling flat, Barbie discovers that even a doll can have an existential crisis. Ken, perennial passenger in Barbie’s behind-the-wheel existence, discovers the same. The hero’s journey is hers, but the backseat boyfriend is along for the ride. What follows is a fascinating and surprisingly weird exploration of identity within the framework of corporate ownership.
Like the doll who forms the film’s basis, Barbie has to wrestle with three separate political and aesthetic waves of feminism, dealing directly (sometimes right on screen) with the acceptance and rejection of her impossible image by the girls and women whose dreaming and storytelling tool she is meant to be. Throughout the film, doll who comes to the real world is confronted with worship, expectant awe, derision, and even dismissal by the girls she expects to receive her with love.
In the film, Barbie is not a singular individual, but an array of beautiful women fractured into different jobs and identities. This scatter of echoes notably includes Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie, the one whose hair has been chopped, face tattooed, and whose legs are always in the splits position, and transgender actress Hari Nef (this Barbie is a doctor) who both allow for direct and indirect conversations about gender in the context of what it means to be Barbie. It is Weird Barbie who gives main character Barbie the choice that kicks off the path of the film. Barbie must choose which path to follow which path to follow: pink satin heels or rose-gold-buckled Birkenstocks. Because a shoe is never just a shoe. Barbie has to choose whether it’s better to seek what is real or live forever in what is fake, plastic, and beautiful.
Who among us wouldn’t struggle with that choice?
Barbie’s struggles take her to the Real World, leading to confrontations with the law and the misogyny of our world. This allows Ken to recontextualize himself in a context where he comes first, and to decide what that means for him. Gosling’s performance in all this deepens him from happy-go-lucky hopeful to something more, echoing Robbie’s ability to go so deep into bimbo drag that she can make any role take on pathos and warmth. They both move from silly icons to lived-in characters who have changed over the course of the film.
President Barbie Issa Rae, in an appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, opened up about how it felt to play the iconic character and what informed her performance. “I played with Barbies, but I never imagined I would play Barbie, much less be in a Barbie movie.”
Actor and producer Rae described the process of creating President Barbie’s character, encouraged by Gerwig in early meetings. “My mom said, ‘Listen, you’re going to have Black Barbies in the house. You need to have that balance.’ Mind you — I was not allowed to watch PG-13 movies and all those kinds of things until I was the right age. If something was adult on TV, I couldn’t watch it. I couldn’t watch 90210, but she got me the 90210 Barbies. I made up the characters myself, and I tapped into that when making my character for the film.” Rae’s character in the film shows this connectedness to the material; both remote and imemdiate, both her own and influenced by the aspirational nature of being Barbie to a whole new generation.
Actress Alexandra Shipp (this Barbie is a celebrated author) echoed Rae in a red-carpet interview: “Greta makes a safe set. To work with a director like that is just a dream come true.” Shipp’s dreaminess comes across in all her scenes, where she acts out an imaginative kid’s idea of what it might be like to be a writer, but also very beautiful and never burdened by the demands of publishing. Her performance in this film is a hidden gem, making more out of a small part.
The Barbie dream comes true thanks in large part to heroic work by the visual appearance of the film. Production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer capture the indelible mark of the iconic toy line, rendering the environment colorful in a way that is only ever created for children, opting for physical objects over special effects. In some scenes, flat stick-on decals form the ranks of prodcuts on shelves. In others, the viewer becomes aware that the water in Barbie’s shower is pretend, and the doll does not eat or drink. The cinematography gives us both the outside view of a person playing with dolls, but also the inside perspective of the dolls themselves. We are all Barbie; we are all Barbie’s dreamer.
The dream continues in the film’s soundtrack, teased in the trailers but rolling out as undeniable as summer itself in a series of needle-drops as well as one actual musical number by a man who needs to soulfully sing his side of things. This includes original work from Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, HAIM, and BIllie Eilish, to name a few, as well as a song from Barbie herself, Dua Lipa.
Like Barbie’s legacy, the film is not perfect but it is a lot of fun if you bring your imagination to it. Like Barbie, many viewers will find themselves flat-footed and confused, but they will still utterly in love with an idea who is fake and plastic and wonderful and can never die.
Barbie opens in theaters on July 21, 2023.