Secret Invasion has so far received a mixed, albeit mostly positive, response from MCU fans. The show definitely doesn't appear to be what many people expected, something that was evident from a divisive ending which saw fan-favourite character Maria Hill die at the hands of Skrull leader Gravik.
He was disguised as Nick Fury when he gunned down the former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, leaving fans to wonder whether Maria died believing her friend and former boss had committed the ultimate act of betrayal.
During an interview with Marvel.com, Smulders talked more about that jaw-dropping conclusion to "Resurrection."
"It was certainly emotional," she said of filming the scene. "It was a bit of a build to that last moment because we were shooting the entire sequence - the explosions, the running, the chasing, that square we were in for a couple of days. Sam and I had some lovely moments. Even though it was a violent send-off, it was a nice day on set for me."
"I don't think that we were privy enough to [Maria’s] knowledge of Skrulls," Smulders continued. "I'd like to think, even though I don't think she had as much awareness of how much the Skrulls have taken over or infiltrated our society - I don't think she's aware enough of to know what level that is."
The actress would go on to share a positive spin on her character's demise, adding: "I do think that there was a moment at the end there where I think that there's a lot going on, but I'd like to think that she knew at the end that it wasn't him, mainly just because of his behavior. So I'd like to think that, but I think it's still very tragic."
As for the impact Maria's death will have on the MCU moving forward, Smulders believes it's Fury who will feel it most. "I think that Fury will continue to worry that she didn't know [it wasn't him]," she teases. "That will propel his story forward."
It's going to be very interesting to see where things go from here, particularly as the premiere only scratches the surface of this Skrull invasion. Without getting into spoilers, the direction the series is heading in definitely becomes clearer after the second instalment.
The first episode of Secret Invasion is now streaming and the second drops this Wednesday.