Prime Video's Invincible has returned to screens with its season 4 premiere. It did so with its regular three-episode premiere, and, like always, it was a smart move. For one, viewers were given an opportunity to get invested in the current season. Second, because each episode sets up different storylines, having them spread out risked audiences losing interest even if they connect to the general theme of the season.
However, even though the stories focused on different things and places, each one of them were still amazing.
Invincible season 4, episode 1 highlights
Even though I’ve read Invincible a few times from start to finish, seeing Mark Grayson, a.k.a. Invincible, after everything that happened in the last few episodes of season 3 was something I anticipated, and I wasn’t disappointed. The creative team changed a few things from the source material, but it all made sense for the platform. Also, adding Danai Gurira as Universa and Jonathan Banks as Brit truly made things better than I could have hoped.
The best part of this episode was seeing Invincible struggle with being a hero and the repercussions of his actions, even the ones that aren’t his fault. It's led him to come close to killing someone who (as of now) didn't deserve it. Adding to his guilt was Eve’s father blaming Mark for Eve getting severely hurt and almost dying. It's another reason why Invincible has become more violent and determined to keep people safe.
Invincible season 4, episode 2 highlights
This could become one of the best episodes of the season, and it’s because of how the creative team showed what was done to the Viltrumites and the horrible things they did. As if the visuals of billions of Vitrumites sick and dying weren’t enough, the music during the scenes made it more heartbreaking. Even if they’re genocidal monsters (and the stuff Nolan said he did was unforgivable), you may not have been able to help feeling bad for them.
Telia (played by Tatiana Maslany) had a bigger role in this series than she did in the entire Invincible comic book. Instead of her being just Allen the Alien’s girlfriend, she was his partner and was the reason Allen and Nolan didn’t die while fighting the Rognarrs. I can't wait to see the role she plays during the Viltrumite War.
Also, the reveal of Grand Regent Thragg was perfectly done. Jon Hamm flawlessly voiced Conquest's fear and respect as he spoke about his failure. And General Kregg and Anissa’s looks of disgust sold their disdain for his returning with a loss. And then, after all of that, you hear Thragg speak. That’s when you know he is not someone to be messed with.
Invincible season 4, episode 3 highlights
Another change viewers are seeing in this series is Oliver’s humanity. In the comics, he was an annoying little curse word that was more than okay with killing and overall brutality. In the last of the three episodes, he stops his brother (Invincible) from killing Titan. Something that wouldn’t have happened in the comics. It’s unclear if this is something that will continue, but it should. It makes Oliver a more likable character.
Later in the series, there will come a point where he must change to keep a major part of the lore intact. Oliver will try to make a decision that almost gets someone killed. People will hate him, but it will make the series better.
Pay attention to Rex (Robot). After the Sequid almost took him over, he said that they (the heroes) need a more permanent solution to villains like the Sequids, Angstrom Levy, and Doc Seismic. It’s a moment that viewers will come back to further down the line. And when he gets back from the Flaxan's homeworld, he'll be unrecognizable.
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