That Daredevil: Born Again Skrull reference in episode 4, explained

The MCU has planted so many seeds for secret invasions that any alien easter egg immediately raises eyebrows. And in episode 4 of Daredevil: Born Again, a certain shape-shifting reference slipped into the script like a Skrull in disguise.

However, is this just a fun nod, or could there be something deeper lurking beneath Hell’s Kitchen?

Where, when, and from whom does the Skrull reference come in Daredevil: Born Again?

The reference comes from an unexpected source, Matt Murdock’s own client. When defending Leroy Bradford, a small-time offender arrested for petty larceny, Matt is met with an unusual excuse: What if a Skrull had taken his form to commit the crime? Bradford suggests he might not be the real culprit, saying that a shape-shifting alien could have framed him. Matt’s response is a simple, deadpan "No."

It is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but it raises an interesting question. Why include a Skrull reference in a show that, at least on the surface, is all about street-level crime?

Skrulls in Hell’s Kitchen? Stranger things have happened

For those keeping up with the MCU, Skrulls have been shaking up Earth’s power structures since Captain Marvel, revealing their ability to blend in among humans. Secret Invasion escalated this, exposing a massive covert takeover, including Skrulls infiltrating the highest levels of government.

So what does that have to do with a guy accused of stealing in New York? Well, plenty, if you read between the lines.

First, Bradford’s Skrull excuse is played for laughs, but it lands differently in a post-Secret Invasion world. Could the show be winking at the possibility that Skrulls are still out there, even among the criminals and underdogs that Matt defends? Or is this a meta-commentary on how easily the existence of shape-shifters could be used or abused as a legal defense?

And if Skrulls are still around, who is to say Hell’s Kitchen has not been infiltrated, just like Washington D.C. and London?

The Kingpin connection: Would Fisk strike a deal with Skrulls?

The biggest player in Daredevil: Born Again is not Matt, it is Wilson Fisk. And if there is one thing we know about Fisk, it is that he never passes up an opportunity to consolidate power.

Fisk has always thrived on corruption and control, and ensuring the city bends to his will. So imagine what he could do with Skrulls in his corner. Need someone eliminated without a trace? Have a Skrull replace them. Want to keep law enforcement at bay? Swap out key officers with infiltrators. The possibilities are endless and terrifying.

If Daredevil: Born Again wants to tie its street-level crime to the larger MCU, hinting that Fisk has Skrulls on his payroll would be a brilliant way to do it. And it would not be without precedent: Marvel Comics has played with the idea of Kingpin working with shape-shifters before.

This could be the perfect way to blend the grounded crime drama of Daredevil: Born Again with the larger fabric of the Marvel Universe(s).

Could Matt Murdock take on a Skrull?

Daredevil’s enhanced senses make him one of the best at detecting deception. He can hear elevated heartbeats, sense micro-expressions, and pick up on the tiniest irregularities. But here is the catch, Skrulls do not operate like normal humans. They can mimic appearances, mannerisms, voices, and possibly even heart rates. If a Skrull ever did try to deceive Matt, would he even be able to tell?

This also opens the door to a chilling possibility. What if one of Matt’s closest allies is not who they claim to be?

Secret Invasion already proved that the MCU is not afraid to pull the "this character was a Skrull all along" twist.

If Daredevil: Born Again takes even a small step in that direction, it could shake up Matt’s world in ways he never expected.

Final thoughts, a throwaway line or something bigger?

At first glance, Leroy Bradford’s Skrull comment seems like a quick joke, a nod to the wider MCU without major consequences. But given Marvel’s track record of turning small details into big reveals, it is hard not to wonder if there is more to this than meets the eye. Could this be a clue that Skrulls are still active in New York? A setup for Fisk’s next power play? Or just a fun acknowledgment of Secret Invasion’s fallout?

Either way, Daredevil: Born Again is already proving that even its most grounded moments have room for cosmic-sized implications. And with Skrulls still lurking in the shadows, it is safe to say that nothing and no one is ever just what they seem.

Because in the MCU, the biggest secret is always the one hiding in plain sight.