Warning! This review contains spoilers for Invincible season 3, episode 7.
Invincibleseason 3, episode 7 is not only the best episode of the season thus far, but it might just be the best episode of the show’s entire run. Thestory ofInvincibleseason 3so far has been relatively unfocused but no less promising. Be it the exploration of the moral arguments between Mark and Cecil, the raising of Oliver into a superhero he can be proud of, the development of the show’s other characters and relationships, or the preparation for the looming Viltrumite threat,Invincibleseason 3’s reviewshave proven this more varied storyline to be suitably compelling.
As hinted at byInvincibleseason 3, episode 6’s other Invincible variants, these storylines were set to come to a head in a huge way. Episode 7 provides exactly this culmination, paying off the last six episodes' worth of moral themes, supporting character build-up, and teases of returning villains. In what could be the darkest episode ofInvincibleyet, I could not tear my eyes away from the screen as the comics' now-iconic Invincible War came to life as Mark, his various allies, and tentative enemies came together to face an old enemy — and himself.
The Scale Of The Show Has Never Felt Bigger
Image via Prime Video
As someone who has not read theInvinciblecomics, I was at least aware of a few upcoming plot points that were set to be adapted as season 3 began, the Invincible War being one of them. Interestingly, though, I was not overly sure what to expect. Not only have comic fans been hyping up this arc for a while, but I then heard someone familiar with the source material claiming it had been overhyped and was not an arc at all, but instead a single issue.
This left me curious whetherInvinciblewould adapt the Invincible War as a single episode, a two-episode event, or potentially carry it over into season 4. As it turns out, the Invincible War was contained solely toInvincibleseason 3, episode 7, but this did not stop the episode from being an excellent, perfectly structured, epic-in-scale story that will go down as one of the show’s very best.The episode’s three-act structure, split between each day of the Invincible War, was suitably chilling, giving the episode a distinct feeling of dreadin comparison to its predecessors.
Moreover, the scale was simply unlike anything highlighted inInvinciblethus far. While planetary coalitions and a deadly galactic empire have been teased,Invinciblehas mostly kept things contained to Mark’s life in Chicago, with only a few exceptions. Season 3’s episode 7 takes proceedings to a worldwide scale, destroying cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, and Moscow, to name only a handful, at the hands of Mark’s evil Invincible variants. This only increased the aforementioned feeling of dread, though it made the episode one I could not praise more.
Other Universes Have It Much Worse
Speaking of Mark’s Invincible variants, I was happy with how most of them were depicted. Of course, some were utilized as mere obstacles for the plot to move forward with little development, allowing lesser-known heroes ofInvincible’s universe to get their moments in the spotlight. However, the subtle teases of others, from one who killed Debbie in his universe to another who was promised a reunion with her, only madeInvincible’s somewhat unique exploration of the multiverse even better.
The superb shots of the various Marks flying above ruined cities with fires burning in their eyes was excellently harrowing, allowing for a rare moment of artistry…
The destruction and battles Invincible’s variants took part in elicited the same sickly feeling as Mark vs. Omni-Man fromInvincibleseason 1’s ending, though one that provides undeniably great television. The superb shots of the various Marks flying above ruined cities with fires burning in their eyes were excellently harrowing, allowing for a rare moment of artistry thatInvincible’s animators do not get to flex all that often. Then there is the perspective they bring, with us audience members andInvincible’s civilians counting their lucky stars that our Mark did not end up like his brethren.
Invincible Season 3, Episode 7 Has Character Moments For Everyone
With Some Ending In Tragedy
As I alluded to, the Invincible War proved a perfect way to culminate many character arcs from the last six episodes. Every hero on Earth was called into action here, fromInvincible’s Guardians of the Globeto retired warriors, the GDA and its resources, and even some villains like Powerplex. In myreview forInvincibleseason 3, episode 6, I remarked I was worried about Rex’s future, and I was proven right to be so thanks to his heroic sacrifice that truly solidified his change in the most devastating way.
Invincible Season 3, Episode 6 Review: I’m Shocked By How Good Invincible’s Electrifying New Villain Is & The Complexity He Adds To Mark’s Story
Invincible season 3, episode 6 debuts a major new villain and teases others, extending the show’s hot streak as it moves into an explosive conclusion.
Although not every battle between the heroes and the villainous Marks was shown, just seeing the aftermath often proved more effective and sold the true feeling of chaos that Angstrom Levy unleashed upon Earth. Oliver also got some good moments here, including a tear-inducing one in which he says goodbye to Debbie before going off to fight. The tandem fight scenes in some moments were excellent too, though I will say I am still disappointed the depiction of Atom Eve’s powers remains boring after the dynamism showcased in 2023’sInvincible: Atom Eve.
The exploration of morality came to a head, too. Mark’s seeming willingness to kill to prevent something worse at the end of the episode, even if he has not yet gone through with it, indicates a shift in his character that could lead him down a different path inInvincibleseason 4’s story. After seeing how differences in morality can affect the entire world, Mark and Cecil will likely have a fragile alliance going forward, paying off the season’s central dynamic.
Invincible Season 3, Episode 7’s Ending Provided One Hell Of A Tease
After all of that,Invincibleseason 3, episode 7 brought the story to a conclusion with yet another threat to Earth: the arrival of Conquest. Conquest was first teased by Anissa last season, with the villain finally arriving amid the clean-up of Angstrom Levy’s chaos. This could not have come at a worse time, but whether that proves to be the case for a reeling Mark, who must face yet another threat, or Conquest, who must face a grief-stricken, rageful Mark is left for the finale.
Knowing Conquest’s arrival is another turning point for Mark going intoInvincibleseason 4, I cannot wait to see how their fight plays out in the finale. The battle sequences ofInvinciblehave always contained the show’s strongest animated moments, with episode 7 proving as much. Now that another major fight is set for next week, I am hoping this can continue. With Jeffrey Dean Morgan providing the voice of the violence-loving Conquest,Invincibleseason 3, episode 7 capped off one of the show’s best episodes with the promise of another.
Invincible
Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father’s legacy isn’t as glitzy and glamorous as he’s been led to believe.
