Invincible follows the story of Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun), a half-alien teenager with superpowers who fights for justice as a superhero while also dealing with the typical obstacles faced by many teenagers. Episode 2 of Invincible season 2 explores the following themes: coping with emotional scars and breaking cycles of trauma. The episode is heavy on action but still manages to delve into the emotional experiences of the characters.
The primary storyline of the episode follows Mark (Steven Yeun) as he strives to prove to others as well as himself that he isn’t the same as his father. The beloved character from the first season, Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs), also has a major storyline in the episode, as she goes on a journey of self discovery while contending with family struggles. Debbie (Sandra Oh) is another integral character in the episode. In episode 2 she continues her journey of recovery by attempting to return to her job and regain control of her life.
The main plot features the most amount of action as Mark battles with several different villains. While it is entertaining to see him in action, the fact that he faces so many different enemies comes at a cost, as none of the villains are given enough time to appear as complex or layered characters. Even so, Mark’s emotional journey is satisfying to watch. Eve’s story is also emotional and genuinely creates a feeling of sympathy as the audience watches her struggle with relatable personal issues. Debbie’s journey has a similar effect, though she isn’t given as much screen time, which makes it difficult to fully relate to the emotions she conveys.
The most notable performances of the episode come from Steph Yeun and Gillian Jacobs. Mark’s change in maturity this season is brought to life masterfully through Yuen’s acting and he even still manages to show the character’s more playful side as well. Jacobs’ performance is also strong as her emotions are easily identifiable and relatable.
Though the episode lacks a complex antagonist it still succeeds in entertaining the audience as it creates a sense of catharsis by showing the characters struggle and try to overcome the emotional obstacles in their lives.
Rating 8/10