The finale for season 4 of Invincible has just been released, and there is a lot to discuss. The finale left off on a cliffhanger and set up a lot for season 5.
The episode picks up right where episode 7 left off, with Tech Jacket, Mark, and Nolan returning to Earth after suspecting the remaining Viltrumites to be on Earth.
They find no evidence of the Viltrumites arriving on Earth. Despite this, Mark suffers visions of the people he loves being killed by the remaining Viltrumites.
We also found out that while Mark was gone, Atom Eve got an abortion. This is an interesting aspect of the story, as it was a very controversial point in the comics, and it is still controversial today.
There is a consistent theme of trauma and weight throughout the episode. It is slower compared to the other episodes filled with action. It is refreshing to see the finale wrap up the craziness of the episode and acknowledge the severe pain and suffering the characters faced throughout the season.
Nolan arrives on Earth and sees Debbie, who still hasn’t forgiven him. She has split up with Paul (her former partner) as their lives are too different. Nolan tries to win Debbie over but it doesn’t work. Similar to the beginning of the season, nobody on Earth is ready to forgive Nolan.
In the comics, Debbie eventually forgives and gets back together with Nolan. This is something I’d like to see changed from the comics.
Nolan isn’t a redeemable character. He may mean well now, but the destruction and death he caused is simply unforgivable. If Debbie gets back with Nolan, it will feel forced and weird.
Speaking of changes from the comics, when Mark eventually finds Thragg on Earth, he tells Mark the truth. The Viltrumites are hiding away on Earth, breeding with humans to regrow their population.
He gives Mark a choice: fight and risk the lives of himself and others or let them stay on Earth. In the comics Mark wants to fight, and Nolan steps in, convincing him to let them stay on Earth. This time, Mark decides for himself to let them stay on Earth.
This negotiation scene for whatever reason is really well done in terms of visuals, despite the visuals/animation having been lacking up to this point. The animation does not change, but the lighting and shading that were used amplifies the look so much more.
The rest of the show needs to use this method as it looks a million times better. The animators could also be given more than a year for the show, as it is very action-based and needs to have decent animation.
At the very end, Allen receives a message constructed by Thadeus, telling him there is a perfect version of the scourge virus (a Viltrumite killing virus) that can be used as a last resort.
The next season of the show will likely address the moral issue of the virus: it will kill all Viltrumites but also Nolan and Mark. In the comics, many readers are morally conflicted at this and if done right, the show will cause a similar reaction.
All in all, Invincible season 4 was a great season for the show. The animation could be improved but outside of that, the issues are limited. If the showrunners keep it up, season 5 will be yet another hit.
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