While the season has some of the best overall highs, its middling lows are, at worst, frustrating.
“Invincible” season three is far from the greatness of its premiere season but is nowhere near as divisive as season two. Some of the episodes include character arcs and action sequences that live up to and may even surpass season one, while others highlight the show’s major flaws. With another imbalanced season concluded, here are all eight episodes of “Invincible” season three ranked from the worst to the best.
This Was Supposed to be Easy – episode five
“This Was Supposed to be Easy” is a waste of an episode at the pivot point of the season. Other than Machine Head stealing every scene and the thrilling visual of Mark Grayson and Atom Eve fighting a kaiju, episode five is a complete waste of time. Firstly, Oliver Grayson’s character development makes no sense. He goes from killing bad guys without remorse in episode three to childishly sneaking out of the house to skateboard with his new besties only two weeks later – this is a 180-degree turn for the character that comes out of nowhere. Mark Grayson and Atom Eve’s desire to rent an apartment is reduced to nothing more than a plot device so they can have an excuse to turn Invincible into a “jobber” as a prison guard. While the Titan arch worked back in season one, its inclusion here comes at the cost of developing extra storylines specific to this season. As well, Mark Grayson, once again, has no agency in his own show and is merely a tool other characters use to get what they want. Continuously characterizing Mark Grayson in this manner doesn’t make for a compelling lead, just some cool fight scenes. Since “This Was Supposed to Be Easy” throws away character development for plot conveniences and wastes time on a two-season-old storyline, it is without a doubt the worst episode of “Invincible” season three.
A Deal with the Devil – episode two
This episode’s plot is more rushed than “Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and that’s saying something. Cecil Stedman and Mark Grayson coming to blows over differing views on the best way to protect people is compelling. Likewise, The Guardians of the Globe disbanding over Stedman’s methods provides gravitas to this moral debate as heroes must pick a side — that’s interesting. However, it all happens too fast. For two seasons, Mark Grayson has been telling Stedman he’s gone too far and that he’ll never work with him again. However, the show does nothing to make this time any different. As for the Guardians, they went from being a mostly unified team to breaking up over an issue they just learned about without a second thought; to say this was poorly developed is an understatement. To make matters worse, the writers do nothing to support Mark Grayson’s side of the argument. He always tells Stedman what he is doing is wrong yet the events of the show always prove Stedman right. Due to how poorly constructed and one-sided this conflict is, “A Deal with the Devil” is the opposite of – invincible.
You Want a Real Costume, Right? – episode three
Half of episode three is gripping character work, while the other half is a total mess. To start with what worked, the emotional beats between Mark Grayson and his mom, Debbie Grayson, are as good as anything “Invincible” has ever done. The scene of them doing the dishes is simple yet compelling as it shows these two starting to give each other the emotional support and mutual respect they deserve – with Mark Grayson understanding his mom’s need for companionship, and Debbie Grayson letting her son make his own decisions as a superhero. Another relationship that really shines is Atom Eve and Mark Grayson’s. The way she forgives him for being late to their date is a genuinely touching moment that highlights how these two have a deep, personal connection as well as an understanding of the dual responsibility that comes with their powers. However, the opening is a waste of time. While it was artistic, it was incredibly out of place because the events of this segment have no effect on the rest of the episode. Onto the big moment, Oliver Grayson killing the Mauler Twins — in theory, this moment is excellent, makes sense and sets up compelling character conflict, yet it falls apart in the execution because the writers couldn’t decide how Oliver Grayson was supposed to react to this situation. He flip-flops between treating it as an accident and a measured attack. This indecision ultimately weakens the dramatic effect because the audience cannot take a side since Oliver Grayson doesn’t either.
You’re Not Laughing Now – episode one
A solid episode that reminds viewers how fun “Invincible” can be. After the disappointment that was season two, it was nice to jump back into this world in a safe, but enjoyable way. Giving Mark Grayson his “Rocky IV” moment where he fights a giant, flies laps to the moon and back and lifts a glacier as a part of his training to fight Viltrumites is an automatic win for the episode. Doc Seismic is always a great villain-of-the-week and the payoff to the Mark Grayson and Atom Eve relationship is rewarding. While “You’re Not Laughing Now” doesn’t break new ground, it accomplishes its one goal: to remind viewers what they love about – “Invincible.”
What Have I Done? – episode seven
While this episode offers some of the best spectacle in the entire show, it also highlights the series’ weakest aspects. Credit where credit is due, the animation finally lives up to the soaring heights of season one. The shading is dramatic; the contrast makes the images pop off of the screen and the characters move with an aggressive fluidity. Once again, Rex Splode is the MVP of the episode. While his sacrifice is derivative of Gambit’s from “X-Men ‘97” and not nearly as cool, it still works and closes out his arc, turning him from a jerk to a hero with a heart of gold. As well, episode seven is pure chaos in the best way possible, making for an easily digestible and entertaining watch. However, the “Invincible War” hardly services any of the plotlines or character development from this run of episodes. Angstrom Levy did not work last time and he feels especially shoehorned in here given how he was absent from yet another season. While the variants of Invincible do provide some commentary on Mark Grayson’s reputation and how he views himself, because these different versions come off as goofy caricatures instead of realized characters, the deeper emotional themes feel like an unexplored happy accident. To reiterate, “What Have I Done?” is thrilling in its entertainment, but because it hinges on poorly developed plot points from season two as opposed to a natural progression for season three, it is an overall letdown of a penultimate episode.
You Were My Hero – episode four
Episode four may be straight forward, but it finally moves and bookends storylines. For starters, Mark Grayson’s “no killing” rule was challenged in a meaningful way. Having this boy scout of a character be faced with the consequences of his future actions and choose to kill the Immortal out of mercy, proves to Mark Grayson that saving the world often does come at a cost. More on Mark Grayson, he and Atom Eve finally go on a date. Yes, this isn’t a world-breaking development, but giving these characters a moment of normalcy is sweet. A surprising, but welcome addition to the episode, is how the war against Viltrum plotline gets a little progression. While the writers chose to develop Allen the Alien and Nolan Grayson’s relationship off-screen, it was still great finally returning to the show’s most interesting storyline. The action was fun enough, and it was great seeing Battle Beast again with Allen getting some laugh-out-loud, hilarious lines. Overall, while “You Were My Hero” is far from the series’ best, it expands upon plot lines in a satisfying way other episodes in this season haven’t.
I Thought You’d Never Shut Up – episode eight
Episode eight goes full “Man of Steel” and delivers one of the best episodes in the entire series. “Invincible” has always shined brightest when it comes to showcasing the power of Viltrumites and it pulls no punches here. Invincible uses combos reminiscent of Superman’s from “Injustice Two” and endures gut-wrenching injuries on the same level as any “Mortal Kombat” cgame. Atom Eve gets to put her abilities on full display and gets some inventive licks in. The camera work used to capture the fight exemplifies the unruly might these extraterrestrials wield. City-capturing wide shots are the only way to encapsulate the destruction. Invincible and Conquest move around the globe so fast that the camera can’t always keep up. Close-ups of the results of an attack hide the full, gnarly actuality and force the viewer to picture what the rest of the mangled bodies look like. Another reason the action is as engaging as it is comes from Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s masterful performance. He embodies the mocking scoffs of an overzealous berserker with ease but also has the vocal capacity to sell the quiet moments that make Conquest a multi-layered character. On a similar note, Debbie Grayson finally letting Oliver Grayson go into battle was an exhilarating bait and switch that invokes an incredible amount of growth on both sides. “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up” gives fans some of the best action the series has to offer with fantastic character moments to give the season finale an emotional punch as well.
All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry – episode six
“Batman v Superman” in the “Invincible” universe is exactly what this show needed. First off, the “we are taking the car” joke was fantastic and watching Paul be the fish out of water in the Grayson family provides natural levity to a heavy episode. Furthermore, the conversation between Splode and Shrinking Rae might just be one of the greatest scenes in the entire show. Rae wanting to stop risking her life after nearly losing her own is understandable, and Splode refusing to neglect the responsibility that comes with his power is wildly compelling – culminating in a brutally heartfelt moment between these two characters. To add, the main plot is actually the best arch since season one. Scott Duval becoming a villain to seek revenge on Invincible, while a little unjustified, grounds a show about multiverses and aliens back to the human level. As for Mark Grayson, giving him a problem he can’t punch his way out of truly forces him to reconcile with the events of the previous seasons. He no longer lets the actions of his father or his personal shortcomings define him. Instead, he finally accepts that while he is the greatest threat to humanity, his connection to the very people he endangers is what makes him their greatest hero. “All I Can Say Is I’m Sorry” has the best character work and plot since season one and absolutely lives up to the name – Invincible.
Even though “Invincible” season three features infuriating series lows, its moments of triumph go blow-for-blow with the best the show has to offer.
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Featured Image courtesy of Prime
