The season 2 finale of Invincible, “I Thought You Were Stronger,” throws a tangled web of loose ends for our heroes to grapple with.
Invincible Season 2 Finale Recap
Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man (voiced by J. K. Simmons), though alive, is awaiting execution. Meanwhile, Mark Grayson/Invincible (Steven Yeun) confronts the repercussions of his past actions. The episode opens with the return of our villainous foe, Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown). You might recall him from the season premiere as the dimension-hopping menace. After a conspicuous absence, he resurfaces to threaten Mark’s family, forcing him into a dimension-bending brawl. This fight serves up another delightful comic book reference, as Mark finds himself flung into a universe with an off-brand Spider-Man and Doc Ock.
Cliffhangers and unresolved relationships
This episode is heavily focused on the father-son dynamic. Mark grapples with losing control and resorting to lethal violence. All season, he’s battled the fear of becoming like his father. The heartbreaking flashback to season 1, where Mark expresses his desire to emulate Nolan, juxtaposed with his current terror of that very outcome, is a testament to excellent writing. Meanwhile, Nolan fights against the Viltrumites, defying his own people. The episode ends with him admitting to missing his wife, highlighting the internal struggle both characters face. Mark wrestles to regain control, while Nolan wrestles with his newfound emotions.
The biggest emotional cliffhanger is Mark’s unresolved relationship with Samantha Eve Wilkins / Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs). Several major plot points remain unanswered: the Viltrumite threat, Nolan’s impending execution with Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen) potentially facilitating his escape, and the shocking return of a seemingly alive Kate, now reunited with the Immortal in a remote cabin.
The Question of Morality
The season’s consistent thread was Mark’s struggle to avoid his father’s violent tendencies. Morality and the question of “going too far” are traditional arcs in superhero stories, but Invincible injects fresh energy into this classic trope. We eagerly await season 3 to see these new storylines unfold.
Thankfully, the episode expertly sets the stage for season 3. At last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, ‘Invincible’ creator Robert Kirkman confirmed they have ample material, ideas, and motivation to continue the show for several seasons to come.
