This review contains spoilers for season 3, episode 8 of Invincible, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up.”
After the conclusion of “What Have I Done,” which left viewers excited for action and character development, the season 3 finale, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up,” falls short. This episode is narratively disjointed and lacks a coherent theme, making it the first subpar episode of Invincible. Drawing on familiar tropes from the show and superhero genre in general, this finale fails to add any depth or subtext.
The introduction of Conquest, an elderly Viltrumite warrior with one arm, at a critical moment when Mark is once again faced with a moral decision, sets the stage for a moral dilemma that never fully materializes. Instead, the episode revolves around Conquest, who would have been more suitable as a transitional villain rather than the ultimate antagonist for such an emotionally charged season. Unfortunately, Conquest lacks depth and real ideology, only claiming to revel in death and destruction. This lack of meaningful connection to the overall story in Invincible leaves viewers feeling underwhelmed by the conclusion of season 3.
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Conquest’s actions once again put civilians in danger, a consequence that Mark seems to overlook despite the significant impact on his recent character development. The episode fails to address any residual emotions from the Powerplex storyline, despite echoing similar themes of a Viltrumite villain manipulating Mark to harm innocent bystanders. However, the lackluster conclusion of season 3 fails to evoke any real emotional weight, with the casualties being treated as mere collateral damage with little impact on Mark.
Characters like Oliver and Eve weave in and out of the final battle, adding some stakes to the fight, but the potential threat to their lives is diminished by the existence of advanced healing technology. Even before the realization sets in, Eve suddenly gains a magical power-up, further undermining the episode’s tension and stakes.
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Mark’s battle with Conquest lacks emotional depth since there is no prior connection between the characters. Conquest’s sudden monologues and attempts to add substance to his character fall flat, resulting in a lackluster confrontation. The implications of Sinclair’s involvement with the GDA are left for future seasons, adding little significance to the current narrative.
The finale hints at potential developments for side characters like Battlebeast and Damien Darkblood, but leaves the absence of Nolan unexplained. As the season wraps up, revelations about Rex’s fate and the aftermath of Mark and Eve’s relationship offer some closure. However, the episode leaves many plot threads unresolved, setting the stage for future storylines without providing substantial resolution.