(episode review) - Invincible: Season 3 - Episode 8

 

I try not to be one of those people who watch this show in the hope of seeing Omni-man wrecking shop with remarks like "Mark cannot fight". "Mark is weak". "Where is Omni-Man?" "Why isn't Omni-Man back?" I truly understand that this show has a bigger story than Omni-Man simply wrecking fools. From what I have gathered so far (having not read the comics), this show is about a boy born into a world where his bloodline and power, once manifested, come from a ruthless alien species who are dying out, but are coming to his earth to conquer it and he must do what he can to protect his family and his Earth from all threats, even those from his own "kin".  Along the way to becoming stronger, he must fight with a team to protect the globe and learn to become a good person not allowing his power to corrupt him. I guess it's another way of saying, that "with great power comes great responsibility". There is so much more to come and I am not even sure if the Viltrumite War is the final thing Mark will need to deal with, but I do understand from the different storylines and pacing of the show that there is a lot more coming from Invincible.

This episode picks up exactly where the last episode left off, a huge 5-or-so block-shattering punch that smashes all the windows in the buildings in that radius. Even the title card comes up immediately (a first I believe in all 3 seasons). The majority of this fight between Mark and Conquest takes up the entire episode. We go in and out of the story to address Cecil, Atom-Eve and Rex-splode, but this fight is epic. If you have seen the first season and the finale, this episode says, "Hold my beer!" Conquest is ruthless and very well voice-acted by Geoffrey Dean Morgan as he plays this type of character, well. I did think the voice didn't really suit the character of Conquest at first, but the line delivery was perfect and it also works on a meta 'The Walking Dead' level. When the show ends, as usual, we are given a few set-ups for season 4. There are some more returning characters, but I honestly feel, that season 2 walked slowly for season 3 to sprint because it seems as though, the budget may have been split or reserved for this season because the animation was perfect. I saw animation in this season and in this fight with Conquest, which we have never seen in previous episodes or seasons. Another two years to wait I guess, but I am not mad at that at all. Maybe every other season is going to be fire, but I rather the animators take their time with the drawings/animating so that the storyline is good and does not fall off. Although I understand there is source material to follow and/or gather from, at this point where we are 3 seasons deep and locked into the show, I would not want the show to slowly fall off. So whatever it is, I am willing to wait and watch. This is a great show that says more than just Biff, Bamm and Boom.

(episode review) - Invincible: Season 3 - Episode 7

  

I do not think Mark is going to have a happy life in the end. I have never read the comics, so a lot of things that occur on this show take me by surprise, and although I will listen to different reviewers and pundits, etc, I may know some storylines that are still to come, nothing has presented itself as a happily ever after. I remember someone stated that Peter Parker aka Spider-Man, was in a cross-over event in the comics, and I believe I remember that person saying that Mark Grayson is this world/universe/story's Peter Parker, and I do not believe that is entirely true. I think they were trying to say that Spider-Man does not seem to be able to catch a break, and with that, I one hundred percent agree. Mark is pushed, pushed and PUSHED to the very edge, even in the episode there is that, but with all these smaller episodes and "fillers" (people like to call episodes they did not receive what they expected from it), are shows that stand as character building moments and in some cases, strength, endurance or building out the world/universe.


This episode does two things: it shows us that no matter what Mark gets put in front of him, he will need to make a choice and if it's a good choice, how would it affect him later in life and if it is a bad choice, would he be compared to his father? Without going into spoilers, this episode is fighting from start to finish as Mark tries to defend off an invasion. The Guardians of the Globe also jump in to help Mark, but not everyone may be up to the task. By the end of the episode, not only has one person arrived to cause havoc, but another person arrives to cause grief, and I was not at all pleased by the cliffhanger ending, but if you have been keeping up with the show, the day Mark has been dreading since he learnt about it is here.

(episode review) - Invincible: Season 3 - Episode 6

 

'All I Can Say Is I'm Sorry' is the title of this episode, which may stand out to be one of those classic episodes where it demonstrates to the audience that there are multiple layers to this storyline. The fact that they have Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad fame who can easily play a character who is in pain, suffering, distraught, angry and several intense emotions is why PowerPlex is a perfect fit for him. This season continues to show that life is not simply black and white and that there are shades of grey, and through Oliver, among other scenarios, we continue to explore the shades of grey in life and the choices we make. Someone can do good and then do bad, but it does not make them either good or bad, as they could well be in the middle or lean to one side more but occasionally do the opposite. Because they did one bad thing, does that now make them bad when they are mostly good and vice versa? People have their reasons as to why they do what they do, and sometimes, as a child, you are not going to understand the complexities of people until you are grown enough to understand.

Although in this episode we have small scenes with Debbie's new boyfriend Paul, Rex-Splode and Shrinking Rae, Monster-Girl and Rudy, the episode mostly focuses on a man named Scott and the grief he is dealing with, leading to the choices he makes. The episode starts with a short flashback to events seen in season one that gives us his backstory, and thereafter, we continue through the life of this person following the choices they make and the grief they are dealing with. The stored and built-up anger continues to lead Scott to not be reasoned with as they slip deeper and deeper into the darkness of their grief, whilst, ironically, he is the only person in the episode who provides light. Towards the end of the episode, actions are taken that lead to a dark and horrific scene but leaves Mark unable to restore what has been lost and can only say "I'm sorry". In between the fights and the drama of this episode, we have a nice moment with Rudy and Monster-Girl where Rude attempts to assist her, only if she allows it, and Rex and Rae have a conversation about the future. It's simply great writing. Mark is going through it, and although he is having trouble trying to get over his father's actions, he cannot seem to escape them and the destruction he caused to towns and families.

(episode review) - Invincible: Season 3 - Episode 1, 2 & 3

This show is a show that caught a lot of the non-comic book readers off guard. That first episode in the first season is truly unforgettable. Everything is going great, and then that turn made you wonder, "What am I watching?" The last episode in the first season has been seared into the minds of all who watched and witnessed the brutality this cartoon had to offer. A simple demonstration that human life is fragile if you are not a superhero or better yet, a Viltrumite. Now, we are into our third season. The second season felt a little rushed to me. Everything with Angstrom Levi felt too quick-paced, and maybe it was the number of episodes or the variety of storylines they were running with, but although the season was really good, the writing and delivery for me felt rushed. Season two seemed to fly by in a blink, and although it was nice to have the Atom-Eve special before the season started, nothing really stood out apart from the baby, the rage in the last episode and the Allen the Alien separate storyline, since there was a dedicated almost full episode dedicated to him which was really cool, own theme music and all. This third season is really, really well thought out and so far, really good. Maybe they starting the 3rd season off with 3 episodes could be due to the second season not being as well received, but whatever their reasons are, well done.

The first episode shows us Mark training with Cecil to get his strength up for the arrival of the Viltrumites, but when Doc Seizemic escapes and captures all the superheroes, including Mark and Eve, Cecil sends in Darkwing II and Reanimen to help. This obviously angers Mark due to who creates the reanimen and the history there, and the new Darkwing was never always a hero. Mark finds out first-hand what Cecil is capable of. In between the action and drama between Mark and Cecil, Mark confronts Eve about his time with Angstrom and her future self, Shrinking Rae rejoins the Guardians of the Globe and Allen and Nolan bond whilst they are held captive.

The second episode shows us a few flashbacks relating to Cecil on a mission taking down a couple of people with powers leaving him scarred, only to later see those same individuals being used to help assist him in another mission leaving Cecil to question what is really at stake and what needs to be done to keep the world safe from threats. In present day, Cecil deploys Reanimen to fight Mark, but when they prove to be no match for him, Cecil sets off a sound, crippling Mark leaving him to flee to seek help from the Guardians of the Globe where a huge fight ensues between all of them and Cecil leading the Guardians to break up. Mark vows to kill Cecil if he comes near him or his family again.

The third episode shows us Mark and his younger brother, Oliver, getting a new suit. Mark spends time trying to train Oliver whilst also trying to keep him away from joining the fight and getting into danger. The Mauler twins break into a Missle Silo and both Mark and Oliver try to stop them and the missle leading to Oliver taking the fight with the twins into his own hands. Between the action and drama of this episode, we have a short storyline with two criminals who rob banks, Titan is tasked to break out Multi-Paul from a supervillain prison on demands from an organisation called 'The Order', Debbie goes on a date with her work colleague Paul (another Paul, not Multi-Paul) and we find out that someone is spying on the Grayson family using drones.

These three episodes set the tone of what is to come and the overall theme for this season. It seems to me that the ongoing theme is the "choices we make" because episode one ended with a choice Cecil made to protect the guardians who will, in turn, protect the globe. The choice(s) in episode two are with the guardians choosing to break up and follow the side they leaned into, Mark or Cecil, whilst at the same time, Cecil makes the choice to put these measures in place to stop threats to the globe as well as working with former bad people having given them rehabilitation, a lesson learnt from his past. Episode three centres around choices various people make in this episode. The two bank robbers make several choices at the beginning of the episode. Mark makes a choice to teach his younger brother how to be a superhero, which goes drastically wrong, and Debbie makes the choice to tell her new boyfriend her secrets in an effort to be more open.

The season has been stellar so far, and I love how they seem to paint out the world as not being only black and white, but there are shades of grey. Cecil is a prime example of someone who is good but operates in shades of grey. Mark is a black or white person at this point because he only knows good and bad. His way of thinking is, if you are good, why would you place "back-up" or "contingency plans" for someone you work with? You either trust them or you do not. But we are learning with Cecil. Cecil will trust you until he doesn't, and he will have a back-up plan for when he stops trusting you. People will be people, and people are flawed, alien or not. If the end of episode one was not enough to inform you that you need to stay ready at all times, I do not know what is, and Cecil will do whatever it takes. Mark is justified in feeling the way he feels, but not being able to see the nuances in people, aliens or the choices that we all make is leading him to stay ignorant and not think objectively. Last season, Mark spent a lot of the season moping around concerned he does not want to turn into his father due to what he had done, but cannot see why the very same people who trusted his father (to an extent) and worked with his father saw what he did and would he could possibly do on a grand scale, and decided to put measures in place. It will be interesting to see where this season goes, especially with that post-credits stinger of whom I believe to be Angstrom Levi "back from the dead".  Excellent three episodes.

(trailer review) - The Mandalorian: Season 3

It goes without saying that the franchise that is Star Wars has been pretty divided since Disney bought Lucas Films, but The Mandalorian has been the only part of the franchise that everyone seems to love.  Season 2 was very good and built up from the first season although every episode seemed like a fetch-quest in a role-playing game, but for the most part, The Mandalorian comes across as a better version of Boba Fett, the character. So, with that said, it definitely goes without saying, that The Mandalorian is one of the most eagerly anticipated Star Wars stories that star wars fans are looking forward to, especially if you saw the appearances he had in The Book of Boba Fett.

Pedro Pascal's voice/movement or whichever is excellent, even if it IS just a stunt double under the helmet, but the story of the Mandalorian is getting better and better by the season and with the introduction of Bo Katan and the Mandalorian lore surrounding the Dark Sabre, this season is going to be soo good if executed well. I will say that, I would love to see a 'Game of Thrones'-esk show with Mandalore and maybe that can spin off after this, but with clan vs. clan, the Knightwatch and maybe even remnants of those mandalorian who followed Darth Maul, it would definitely be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Definitely a must watch if you like Star Wars and more so if you have already started and have seen or have some interest in The Clone Wars and the stories in that. With THAT said, maybe a special cameo from Boba might redeem his character a little. I liked the series, but the execution was not terrific.

(trailer review) - Lost In Space: Season 3

I remember seeing or hearing somewhere that there would be a season 3 and that Season 3 would be the final season.  Whilst the show isn't jaw dropping in the least, it is at least, entertaining and I was intrigued as to what was going to happen next.  I also feel like, had this been a weekly release, people would have gravitated to it more because, like I said, it is entertaining, so seeing this teaser trailer has me really intrigued.

For those who remember the series from back in the day and then the lacklustre movie, this rendition of Lost In Space was a very different take on the show and movie (from what I vaguely remember) but I really liked the difference and where they were going with it.  The show is very Sci-Fi and I love that.  This trailer shows a physically older Will Robinson who claims this is his final transmission because, once again, he has messed things up.  Will is a problem child and it will be interesting to see where this final season goes.  I loved the twist with the doctor before and the Robot in comparisons to earlier renditions and I do love he fact that there was a colony.  The show is very well acted out so lets wait for this next trailer to show us the depths of Will's glorious plan that got them all messed up!

Directed by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless and starring Ignacio Serricchio, Maxwell Jenkins, Mina Sundwall, Molly Parker, Parker Posey, Taylor Russell & Toby Stephens

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