Allen's Moment in Focus: A Review of Invincible Season 2 Episode 3

Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 offers a unique and captivating viewing experience. While its attempt at humor falls short, a remarkable narrative split captivates viewers, leaving them craving for more with its gripping ending.

In the previous episode, the show managed to pack three episodes worth of content into a thrilling 45-minute spectacle of defeating villains and comical moments. However, amidst all the action, it skillfully maintained the emotional depth, culminating in a heartbreaking scene. Debbie, overwhelmed with grief, slumps to the floor in tears as Nolan, her husband and superhero, offers solace, leaving viewers deeply moved.

In Season 2, Invincible's standout feature is its ability to maintain a compelling existential thread amidst its monster-of-the-week storytelling. The central question explored is how one can continue to live in the face of overwhelming terror, deceit, violence, and the burdens of Mark's Viltrumite bloodline, which shape his destiny across multiple universes.

In Episode 3, Mark momentarily experiences a respite, as he begins college, savors intimate moments with Amber, and assumes the role of a regular student. However, being Invincible means that life never remains uncomplicated for long.

Invincible Season 2 sends Mark to college

Mark isn't just a superhero; he's also an ordinary teenager who needs to go through the process of growing up, which includes attending college. In Episode 2, we see Debbie dropping him off at his dorm. With a trembling voice, she says, "It's time for me to let my baby bird leave the nest." Mark jokingly replies, "Good thing I can fly."

Their relationship has improved since the earlier episodes, especially after Debbie's emotional breakdown in the closing scenes of Episode 2. She reassures Mark that anger is a natural part of the grieving process and emphasizes that college is a chance for him to start fresh and discover his true identity, beyond just being Invincible. They share a hug before parting ways, with Debbie imparting one last (though unnecessary) piece of motherly advice: "Stay away from drugs." Mark playfully responds, "Would drugs even have an effect on me?"

Mark meets William at their dorm, while Debbie gets into the car and retrieves the morse code card given to her by Olga in Episode 1. She dials the number and after some commotion on the other end, a woman greets her. While trying to introduce herself, she is advised not to reveal her last name, but there is no tension or reason for suspicion.

Mark hangs a poster of his favorite childhood superhero, Seance Dog, on his side of the room. This annoys William, who complains about the inconvenience of having to play a game. As William explains that a sock on the door indicates either a taco break or a trip to Spain, a student passing by asks if a box near their door belongs to them. The box is filled with various toys, including a Seance Dog action figure, which Mark proudly picks up. However, amidst his new confident and mature peers, he decides to throw away everything in the box except for the Seance Dog.

This is the Allen the Alien show

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Mark returns to his room, and within an hour of being on campus, William hangs a sock on the door handle. Complaining to Amber, Mark asks, "Who has sex on the first day of college?" Amber smoothly retorts, "Maybe us?" Mark nervously twiddles his thumbs and plays with his action figure before kissing her. They go through the usual first-time motions: struggling to remove sweaters and worrying about unexpected superpowers during intimacy (well, maybe not the last part).

While Invincible may be violent, it lacks explicit sexual content. However, things heat up when Paul F. Tompkins' unexpected narration begins. He suggests, "Maybe it's time to give Amber and Mark some alone time and focus on the stars." This narration echoes the quirky commentary of Chris Parnell in Maneater and Danny Wallace in Thomas Was Alone. Unfortunately, the attempt to make us laugh falls flat, which immediately becomes a problem for this episode.

We turn our attention to Unopa, a planet that once achieved a delicate balance between nature and technology. However, a devastating epidemic of unequal power brought about its downfall. The memories of the terror were erased for the deceased, but the survivors quickly identified their oppressors: the Viltrumites.

In a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to resist, a small group of forward-thinking Unopans managed to escape to space. There, they established breeding camps to rebuild their population. Thaedus, portrayed by Peter Cullen, the leader of the Coalition of Planets and a Viltrumite who acknowledges his race's destructive impact on the galaxy, was impressed by their resilience and extended an invitation to join their cause.

In addition to their previous successes, the Unopans had another secret weapon: Allen, a genetically-modified alien known as Captain Unopa. Initially, he was unstoppable and easily handled any threats that came his way. However, when faced with a powerful Viltrumite, defeating them proved to be nearly impossible. As a result, Allen was given a new role as the Planetary Evaluation Officer. His task was to travel to different worlds in search of individuals strong enough to defeat him, who could then become allies against the Viltrum empire. Surprisingly, there is a mention of a never-before-seen battle between Allen and Omni-Man. Originally, he was meant to go to Urath, but due to a significant astro-navigational error, he ended up on Earth and encountered Invincible.

However, the focus of this episode is primarily on Allen. This is evident in the way he is given special attention with the title card, as well as in the choice of music that accompanies his scenes, using Steelburg's 'When You Want Me.' Watching him fly around Talescria creates a pleasant atmosphere, and any upbeat and cheerful song would perfectly complement the visuals and put viewers in a positive mood.

Armed with a rare gift of hope, he arrives at the headquarters of the council. General Telia (played by Tatiana Maslany, her second role after Queen Aquaria) introduces herself and informs Allen about an attack on the planet Aikreon by the Viltrumites, shortly after they joined the coalition. Allen then addresses Thaedus and the other council members, sharing information about Mark. The council members are appalled or nervous, as they fear Mark may follow in his father's footsteps as a conqueror. However, Allen firmly believes that Mark is a "good guy" who can weaken the Viltrum empire. Recognizing this as a significant weakness that can be exploited, Thaedus agrees and expresses gratitude for Allen's efforts. While they exit the building, Allen urges Telia to search for other Viltrumite children like Mark and "persuade them to turn against their parents as well."

Moments later, Thaedus requests a private conversation with him. "I find it both convenient and somewhat alarming that Aikreon was targeted so soon after joining the coalition. It's almost as if the Viltrumites had insider information from within the council," he says in Cullen's unmistakable tone. Allen assures him that he will identify the traitor; the real question is, who could it be? Is it perhaps Telia, or one of the other outspoken skeptics of Invincible?

Allen gets the beatdown of a lifetime

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Returning home, the protagonist is greeted by his pet, Vorg, whose resemblance to Ahsoka’s Loth-cats is unmistakable. However, the tranquility is interrupted by Telia, who is revealed to be the protagonist's partner. They engage in a passionate encounter, entangling their tentacles. As the narration by Tompkins resumes, he attempts to redirect our attention to Mark and Amber, but their story has only just begun. Eventually, the scene shifts to Allen and Telia dining at a starship restaurant, indulging in repulsive fast food that surpasses even the infamous banquet from Temple of Doom.

Telia implores him to reveal what Thaedus conveyed to him on Talescria. Just as he mentions the word "mole," he is forcefully expelled from the eatery. This is no accident; three Viltrumites, including Thula with a spear braided in her hair, are responsible. They seek information regarding Mark, which contradicts their usual approach of "kill first, ask questions... never." However, they offer him a chance at survival if he complies with their demands.

With tears welling in her eyes, Telia observes from the ship, fully aware of the impending events. The distant gaze from Allen, accompanied by a forced smile to mask his defeated demeanor, is almost more agonizing than what follows. The Viltrumites proceed to savagely and efficiently pummel him, skillfully maneuvering him within their triangular formation with sheer precision and strength. One of them tears off his arm, using it to swipe him away as if he were a baseball. Then, a powerful blow to the face dislodges his eye, concluding with a gut-wrenching punch that ejects his internal organs from his back, resembling a fatality move from Mortal Kombat. The scene is horrific, evoking a similar shock and disbelief as the train massacre.

The credits roll… but wait

However, his survival is unexpected. He is placed inside a regenerative pod, and despite Telia's despair, Thaedus believes it is a reason to celebrate. "Once again, they underestimate the Unopan will to survive," he remarks before urging Telia to go home and rest while he takes care of Allen. And then comes the shocking twist: Thaedus, supposedly an ally of the free worlds in the universe, ends Allen's life by deactivating his life support.

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"Apologies, Allen," Thaedus remarks, commencing the opening credits. However, Episode 3 deviates from the typical narrative structure. With approximately 20 minutes remaining, it could easily be considered the lengthiest post-credits scene to date. It is more accurate to view Allen's segment as a self-contained subplot within the broader episode. Although not necessarily perplexing, the approach taken to reunite with Mark and his companions seems unnecessarily convoluted.

Adding to the disappointment, this portion of the episode proves to be the most tedious. It revolves around the drama and romantic relationships among the Guardians. Rex continues to be irritated by Dupli-Kate and Immortal, with the latter delivering a clever remark about their shared experiences of dying. Meanwhile, Rudy attempts to conquer his fears by asking Amanda out on a date, only to discover the joy of a burger and fries instead. While these scenes possess charm, they ultimately serve little purpose in the larger narrative of the episode, making them feel like a waste of time when more important plot points could be addressed. It is worth mentioning that Shapesmith provides some comedic relief with a hilarious visual gag involving a treadmill.

Debbie decides to attend a therapy session for the spouses of superheroes, where she strikes up a friendship with Theo. In an effort to distract herself from Mark's neglectful behavior, she agrees to go out for a drink with him at a local "dive" establishment. However, the evening takes a turn for the worse when she realizes that he is the widower of Green Ghost, the superhero whom Omni-Man brutally killed by literally thrusting his fist through her face.

Debbie is overwhelmed with grief and excuses herself, struggling to hide her quiet sobs as she walks outside. Theo apologizes for saying anything that upset her, but when she reveals that she is Nolan's wife, despite him not being confirmed dead like the other members of the group, his compassion immediately disappears. "I wish he were dead, I wish I could mourn and move forward," she cries, pleading with Theo to believe that she was not aware of his true nature. "You should have known," he snaps, leaving her alone in the street, searching the stars for a savior that will never come.

The performance by Sandra Oh, and the portrayal of Debbie's character development, is quickly becoming the standout highlight of Season 2. The way the show allows her to confront her involvement and grapple with accepting Nolan's hidden cruelty is truly masterful.

Mark has a long-awaited reunion

Returning to his dorm, Mark finds himself bombarded by the insatiable curiosity of his gossip-seeking friend, William. Yearning for every last detail of their initial encounter, William eagerly probes Mark for information. However, their conversation is abruptly interrupted by a mind-boggling sight that leaves William utterly bewildered. It is none other than Seance Dog in the flesh, seeking Mark's assistance. Acting on his natural instinct, Invincible promptly ushers the peculiar visitor out and takes to the skies together. Seance Dog insists that he is the genuine article, claiming to have traversed countless alternate dimensions. He implores Mark to open his mind and embrace the possibility of reaching the other side with his guidance.

Invincible hurls him into a crater nestled within the woods, demanding that he disclose his true identity. The comical disguise dissipates, revealing Nuolzot (portrayed by Rob Delaney) from the distant planet of Thraxa, a mere two galaxies away. Nuolzot explains that it has taken him nearly "half his life" to journey to Earth, seeking Mark's assistance in rescuing his population of 42 billion from an impending meteor shower.

Initially hesitant, Mark eventually succumbs to William's persuasion and agrees to accompany Nuolzot. Before departing, they quickly visit Amber, who defies the stereotypical image of a nagging girlfriend once again. With unwavering support, she assures Mark that she fully embraces his superhero role and encourages him to never apologize for saving lives. As Nuolzot's spacecraft transports Mark further into the vast expanse, his first-ever declaration of love for Amber is abruptly interrupted by a loss of signal.

Six days later on Thraxa, a tranquil world reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey, with its calming waters and ethereal melodies - an unsettling vibe permeates the air. Nuolzot inexplicably "forgets" about the meteors, assuring that the "monarch" will provide the explanations. "Your majesty, may I introduce Invincible of Earth," he announces, as Mark respectfully bows. The long-awaited moment takes an unexpected turn, sending shivers down our spines: a towering figure emerges, casting an ominous shadow, accompanied by a voice we know all too well. "Greetings, my son," Omni-Man says, garbed in regal attire, his cape fluttering in the wind as he extends his hand. "It has been quite some time."

Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 review score: 4/5

Season 2 Episode 3 of Invincible will leave you breathless, despite the tiresome dramas and irritating narration from the Guardians. This TV show doesn't hold back in reminding you of the high stakes involved. Stream Invincible Season 2 Episodes 1-3 on Prime Video now by signing up here. Don't forget to explore our additional coverage below.

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Editor's P/S

Invincible Season 2 Episode 3: A Thrilling Blend of College Life and Superheroics

Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 takes viewers on an exciting rollercoaster ride, deftly balancing the thrills of superheroics with the relatable experiences of college life. The episode opens with Mark Grayson, our protagonist, starting his college journey. We witness him navigating the ups and downs of dorm life, including sharing a room with his friend William and experiencing the awkwardness of first-time intimacy with his girlfriend, Amber. These scenes provide a refreshing change of pace from the intense superhero action, allowing us to connect with Mark on a more personal level.

However, the episode doesn't shy away from the superheroics that fans crave. Allen the Alien, one of the most beloved characters in the series, takes center stage in a spectacular fight sequence. The animation in this scene is top-notch, showcasing Allen's incredible powers and delivering some truly jaw-dropping moments. The fight is intense, fast-paced, and leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 is a thrilling addition to the series, offering a captivating blend of superhero action and relatable college experiences. With its strong narrative, stunning animation, and exciting character moments, this episode is sure to leave fans eagerly anticipating the next installment.