Prime Video's Invincible has delivered another stellar season of television with its fourth installment. Viewers saw an intergalactic war, lasers and alien beasts that can cut through Viltrumites' bodies, and the destruction of a planet take place in a way that would make even Galactus’ jaw drop.
So how does the season 4 finale top everything that previously happened? By ending the season with two moments that change the lives of everyone forever.
*** This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Invincible season 4 episode 8 ***
Mark Grayson's initial reaction to Thragg's invasion is to attack. Like in their first fight, his attacks are fruitless. After Thragg convinces him to stop, he tells the destroyer of his planet that the remaining 37 Viltrumites were on Earth and that they aren’t leaving. However, they won’t murder people or intervene in any of Earth’s events. They will stay undetected - as Thragg says “birth their salvation.”
If Mark doesn’t agree to his terms, Thragg and the Viltrumites will kill billions, and the survivors will live "a less pleasant form of life" (Thragg’s words, not mine). Without much of a choice, Mark accepts. Of course, Invincible doesn't like what he agreed to, but he's aware of the consequences. Also aware of them is Great Thaedus, who had a contingency plan in case they didn't win the war.
While Mark is making choices that affect the lives of one planet, Allen the Alien is making ones that affect multiple planets and races. Now the head of the Coalition of Planets, Allen has to find the Viltrumites and kill them. Not just the evil ones; the council believes that Omni-Man, Oliver, and Invincible can’t be trusted. Apparently, Thaedus believed this too.
Thaedus knew there was a chance that he wouldn’t survive, so he left Allen a message saying, “I believe with every fiber in my being that the universe will never be safe until all Viltrumite life is ended.” That’s why he created a perfected version of the Scourge Virus. However, it comes with a price: It could kill beings with similar DNA. Among those beings are humans.
Allen’s decision isn’t easy. He knows in his heart that Mark, Oliver, and Nolan are the exception to the Viltrumite rule. But he’s also aware that the needs of the many outweigh those of a few. Billions of people on Earth aren’t a few to us, but it is when you look at the galactic threat. And if Thragg’s plan to build the empire is successful, then the universe is in more danger than ever.
As for Invincible, he will have to live with the fact that there's a race of beings who can destroy and rule the world in less than a day. We saw what Angstrom Levy did with around 20 versions of Invincible in season 3, so imagine what 37 adult, ruthless, and uncaring Viltrumites would do. There aren’t enough superheroes or villains on Earth to stop them. So, now ask yourself: What would you do if you were Allen?
Season 5 is going to be an edge-of-seat affair whenever it does arrive. And we will be on the edges of our own seats waiting for it to arrive. For now, the fate of Invincible's world rests in the hands of Allen the Alien.
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