With the rise of Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, Marvel Studios took charge of the TV side of the MCU business, dismantling Marvel Television. Initially, this move was met with excitement as fans hoped for more cohesion between theater and TV storytelling. However, two years later, the decision is being questioned, with ‘Secret Invasion’ being the latest series that would have worked better as a movie.

Ignoring The Episodic Structure

Marvel Studios struggled to adapt to the episodic structure of television, often presenting series that feel like movies chopped into parts. A TV show requires meaningful episodes, and ‘Secret Invasion‘ lacks the clear hooks needed for a successful episodic format. The limited series would have benefited from being presented as a complete movie, as demonstrated by Episode 5, which sets up a bigger showdown and feels disconnected from the episodic structure.

Comparing Successful Episodic Shows

Certain MCU shows have successfully embraced the episodic format, such as ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ which respects the structure and showcases what Marvel Studios can achieve with smaller budgets. ‘Loki‘ and ‘WandaVision’ also perform well on this front, although their season finales serve as teases for future theatrical releases. In contrast, ‘Secret Invasion’ fails to justify its limited series structure, leading to pacing and runtime issues.

The Potential For A Movie Format

‘Secret Invasion’ has a relatively short runtime, and its episodes have shown a significant drop in length after the initial two. With only one episode remaining, the series will likely become the shortest Marvel Studios show to date. This brevity raises questions about whether the story could have been streamlined into a feature-length film. The show’s repetitive moments and lack of superhero fanfare suggest it could have worked as a 150-minute movie. The release strategy for MCU movies and TV shows has been set in stone, but it may be time for Disney to reconsider and align the format with the needs of each story.

While money is a critical factor in Hollywood decision-making, the format choice should reflect what best serves each narrative. ‘Secret Invasion’ demonstrates the challenge of adapting certain stories to television, and future MCU TV shows may benefit from more thoughtful planning to make the most of the episodic format.