This episode felt like 2 mini episodes, following two different storylines. Allen The Alien gets some focus initially, with fake credits rolling after his part of the story is done. Then we get to dive into Mark’s story, which is equally interesting. Also, Debbie still dealing with the fallout of what Omni-Man did. I was shocked by some moments in tonight’s episode, so let’s not waste any time. Let’s dive into This Missive, This Machination!
Allen The Alien Title Card From The First Half Of The Episode
Episode 3 starts with Mark getting dropped off at college, and getting intimate with his girlfriend Amber. We then hear a voiceover saying let’s switch focuses to let them have their time together. It was an homage to classic hero shows that narration over them. We then see Allen The Alien’s species in a flashback, explaining their history. They thrived until the Viltrumites showed up to conquer the planet. They tried fighting back but were unsuccessful. We then see some of his species escape and begin to experiment with creating new versions of themselves to fight back against the Viltrumites.
This is the birth of Allen The Alien, and I thought it was cool we got to see his origin. We also see what happens just after his meeting with Mark in Season 1. He reaches a council of planets dedicated to stopping the Viltrumite invasion on planets. Here we meet Thaedus, voiced by the legendary Peter Cullen. Allen explains that Mark isn’t like other Viltrumites, and he could be the key to turning the war in their favor. Thaedus afterward warns Allen that he believes a mole is in their ranks. Shortly after this meeting, Allen is attacked by 3 Viltrumites. They want confirmation of Omni-Man having a child on earth. Allen The Alien doesn’t say anything and basically gets slaughtered.
I’m not sure how, but he survives the attack, which I honestly thought he died. His girlfriend is by his side as he is in a chamber of some kind. Thaedus enters and tells her to get some rest. At this point, I get nervous. Thaedus turns down the machines keeping Allen alive. I should have guessed it, and it’s a big reveal. The one running the council against Viltrumites is the mole working actually against them.
Debbie from Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 “This Missive, This Machination”
When we get into the second half of the episode, a storyline we follow is Mark’s mother Debbie joining a support group. This isn’t any ordinary support group, this is specifically one for spouses with superheroes as their significant other. Now unlike others, hers was the reason many are dead now on earth. She befriends a man after the session is over, heading out to get drinks with him. I knew this was a bad idea, but Invincible has surprised me in the past. Maybe this goes in a direction I’m not expecting.
Unfortunately, it goes in the direction I’m expecting. He confided his wife was the Green Ghost, and I went back to check. Omni-Man in the Season 1 Premiere stabbs his hand through her head. No hesitation, that whole scene was brutal. Debbie understandably needs to get away, she knows what her husband did to her. She is confronted by him, and she confesses the truth. I honestly thought he would attack her for what her husband did. He actually restrained himself, which is not what I expected. He said to Debbie that she should have known the kind of person he was, which is more crushing. This makes everything just so much worse for her, and trying to move on.
Omni-Man Returns At The End Of The Episode
Many speculated Omni-Man wouldn’t return until toward the end of the season, and I’m so happy it was wrong. Now, it’s only a brief glimpse of him on this new planet sporting a new dark orange armor. Mark is led there under false information, that a planet is dying and in need of his help. The alien escorting him even appeared at first as a dog hero character Mark has a poster of, and a toy as well. I figured it was Omni-Man as the leader of this planet, or possibly another twist since the planet seemed fine.
Mark was obviously shocked at seeing his father again, and of course, the episode ends here. Making us wait a week to see how this “reunion” unfolds. I do appreciate this happening now, versus in the back half of the season. Mark has been trying to not be his father, and trying to prove himself. So, instead of having this confrontation later in life, it’s happening pretty soon after what went down last season. I’ve already seen Episode 4, so I won’t speculate on what will happen, cause I know. Fans should definitely tune in when Episode 4 drops. That’s all I’ll say.
Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 is now available on Amazon Prime Video