Secret Invasion Episode 5 Review - 5 Ups & 4 Downs
3. Up - Fury's Secret Ally
Way back in Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, crossovers were much easier in a way. Seeing Tony Stark show up and confront Thaddeus Ross at the end of The Incredible Hulk, or Captain America's shield in Iron Man 2, were enough to get a reaction out of audiences. Conversely, it feels that expectations are a little higher these days.
The fifth episode of Secret Invasion featured a crossover scene that felt like a throwback to the simpler days of the MCU. O-T Fagbenle's Rick Mason had only appeared in one MCU property before showing his face in Secret Invasion. He played the role of Natasha and Yelena's ally/procurement guy in Black Widow, and seemingly did the same for Nick Fury in the present day.
Chances are Rick had been doing his thing for many SHIELD agents over the years, but like the mention of Dreykov in episode four, this was another nice connection between Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff.
This was all Rick's appearance had to be. He doesn't need to show his face again in the MCU, and this didn't need to set anything else up down the road, though based on his popularity and reception, an appearance in Thunderbolts or even Captain America: Brave New World wouldn't be off the table at this point.