Invincible Season 3 Episode 4 Review: You Were My Hero

Invincible Season 3 Episode 4, “You Were My Hero,” sees Mark grapple with having more blood on his hands while Allen the Alien stages quite the rescue operation. Both narratives almost feel like two episodes in one and are rather different tonally. However, the series manages to make it not feel jarring or disjointed, thanks in part to Paul F. Tompkins’ narration serving as the connective tissue.

You Were My Hero 

If there’s one thing Mark struggles to adjust to as a half-Viltrumite, it’s the seemingly endless slaughtering. Apparently, it comes with the invincible territory. “You Were My Hero” showcases Mark’s growth in that regard. 

Normally, he allows his handful of kills — inadvertent and intentional — to dominate his psyche. The guilt consumes him. He tries so hard not to take out Immortal, even though, in this future timeline, the latter begs for it. Even though he’s killed millions of people and imprisoned more. Ross Marquand delivers a stellar, layered, and achingly vulnerable vocal performance as Immortal.

To Mark, the Immortal he knows is a hero. However, Eve wisely reminds Mark in the aftermath, “The future version of you isn’t you.” Immortal has endured centuries of pain and mental spiraling, culminating in the subjugation of the human race. Ending a life isn’t something Mark can do mindlessly. It’s a hefty, weighty decision that conflicts with his strong moral compass. His humanity prevails over the other half of his alien DNA. 

Thankfully, Eve helps Mark cope with killing this time. In “You Were My Hero,” we see him learn not to let every action he takes twist him up into knots. Invincible deftly and organically depicts this character development for Mark. It also cements Mark and Eve as the perfect match (sorry, Amber). She understands him on a visceral level and how much superhero-ing can take a toll on the mind. 

Space Shenanigans

Act Two of the episode focuses on Allen the Alien and Omni-Man. These characters finally break out of that Viltrumite prison. I’m glad we’re moving on from that storyline. Stylistically, it’s a lot of fun and easily the stronger half. The music playing in the beginning gives off silent film vibes. 

Invincible really nails Omni-Man’s redemption arc and its nuances. Growth isn’t linear, and that’s conveyed in a compelling manner here. However, “You Were My Hero” marks a turning point for Omni-Man. He finally acknowledges he did wrong by his family and Earth as a whole instead of just Viltrum. He believes he deserves death.

Allen sees the potential for redemption in him and risks his life to save him. Their burgeoning friendship is one of the great surprises of this season. Omni-Man allows himself to be vulnerable and show affection for his new friend. Even better, he decides to join the Coalition of Planets to beat the Viltrum Empire. That’s a massive step in the right direction for him. 

This second half of “You Were My Hero” is packed to the gills with action and the show’s signature ultraviolence and gore. The inclusion of Battle Beast is a delightful twist that yields fruit as he helps Omni-Man and Allen thwart the Viltrumites. 

There Goes My Superpowered Heroes 

“You Were My Hero” isn’t quite as impactful as the triple-episode premiere, but it’s still a solid entry in the Invincible catalog. It sets the stage for the high-stakes battle to come and provides much-needed progression for Omni-Man’s respective storyline. It also nicely balances high-octane action and slower-paced, easygoing storytelling with the Viltrumite prison escape/Immortal’s future death and Mark/Eve’s adorable date.

Stray Observations: 

• Paul F. Tompkins should narrate everything for the rest of time. 
• If my next date doesn’t take me flying across the globe to breathtaking locales, it’s not even worth it. 
• Omni-Man and Allen the Alien’s friendship warms the cold cockles of my dead, blackened heart. It’s nice to see a full-blooded Viltrumite express human emotions. 
• Future Immortal mentioning that he thought they “found a cure” for Mark sure is intriguing. I wonder if that’ll pay off narratively at some point. 
• Who doesn’t love a cute date montage? Complete with loving gazes and hand-holding? And ending with some sexy times?
• What will the inevitable Invincible/Omni-Man reunion look like? Will Omni-Man try to stick around to mend fences with Debbie and Oliver? Can his family forgive him? 
• I half-expected to hear Battle Beast say, “Autobots, roll out!” 

What did you think of this episode of Invincible? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Invincible drops new episodes every Thursday on Prime Video. 

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