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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
After last weekend’s little life lesson on adversity as a prerequisite for triumph, this weekend’s episode of Invincible sets up the return of Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson’s (voiced by Steven Yeun) father, Nolan Grayson (voiced by J.K. Simmons) in some capacity, along with the introduction of a new member to the Invincible family. The episode continues to explore different character subplots, but now with more levity to the narrative atmosphere.
The second season’s third episode is titled, “This Missive, This Machination!”. It is written by Adria Lang and directed by storyboard artist Tanner Johnson.
In this review, I will discuss Invincible Season 2 Episode 3. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. References to previous series episodes and the graphic novel source material may be made!
Invincible Season 2 Episode 3 Logline
According to Amazon Studios Press, here is the logline for Invincible Season 2 Episode 3—“This Missive, This Machination!”.
Mark starts his college career, Debbie struggles with personal trauma, and Allen the Alien returns home to find a new threat facing the Coalition of Planets.
Amazon Studios Press
Discussion
As the title of the episode suggests, Allen the Alien (voiced by executive producer Seth Rogen) makes his glorious return to the Invincible series. To be frank, it’s an adorable little gag—while Mark Grayson heads off to college with his best friend William Clockwell (Andrew Rannells) and his girlfriend, Amber Bennett (voiced by Zazie Beetz)—that includes a spin on the weekly anticipation of the Invincible title card. “This Missive, This Machination!” covers Issues #23 and 25 of the source material fairly well, especially with the slight changes to Allen’s milieu and the different appearance of Mark’s favorite comic book character.
Art director Shaun O’Neil, animation/ storyboard supervisor Kofi Fiagome, and their team of animators explore the wonders of deep space, even for a mere several minutes. What truly gives the episode’s former half its flavor is music supervisor Gabe Hilfer’s track selection, namely Raveena’s “Headaches” and Speelburg’s “When You Want Me”. Composer John Paesano scores a calming outer space theme as Allen faces a trio of enemies in space. Matched with the character designers’ work on the character, this makes for a neat change of scenery for the series.
One change to Allen’s milieu is the explicit sense of finality to the character’s role in the series, or at least just Part I of the season. In the comic book run, there is a vague cliffhanger as to just what becomes of the character. It supposedly answers the question later in the source material, but with the series, nothing is known thus far.
The Change in Repose
Episode writer Adria Lang and the writing team switched the narrative structure up a bit. They ditch the basics of a usual plot for something that is more of an anthology of this and that. There aren’t necessarily any large conflicts, resolutions, or action-packed narrative beats but instead come to show life as it is. Starting the end credits for the episode at the midway point certainly feels like such a heavy choice to make. As a matter of fact, the latter half plays out as if a massive mid-credits scene in a comic book adaptation.
The writers take fans and viewers through different emotions by peeking into the various lives of Deborah “Debbie” Grayson (voiced by Sandra Oh) and supporting characters. One scene displays Rex Splode (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas) as he gets clarity on Dupli-Kate’s (voiced by Melise) new superhero romance, a dramatic moment that balances well with Shapesmith (voiced by Ben Schwartz) stepping into the room. Other than that, the other subplots get more screen time to demonstrate the development of secondary figures.
One small interesting, albeit incredibly minor, note about Mark’s subplot is the change in his favorite comic book character. Issue #25 of the source material introduces Mark to Science Dog, however, the episode changes the name and appearance to a Doctor Strange-esque figure named Séance Dog. This could just mean that he doesn’t really have much of a sizeable role in the series. Although, that could be a different case depending on future circumstances.
The Crew Behind Invincible
Invincible is based on the comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, & Ryan Ottley. Kirkman also serves as a co-showrunner alongside executive producer Simon Racioppa (Mr. Meaty). Walker serves as a co-executive producer.
Dan Duncan is the supervising director of the series.
Luke Asa Guidici is the supervising editor. Lea Carosella and Liam Johnson are the assistant editors.
John Paesano scores the music. Gabe Hilfer (Venom, Birds of Prey, Ozark, Halloween Ends, The White Lotus, Renfield, White Men Can’t Jump) does the music supervision. Brad Meyer is the supervising sound editor. Meyer, Katie Jackson, Natalia Saavedra Brychcy (Knock at the Cabin), Myung Soo (Peter) Kay, and Mia Perfetti are the sound FX editors.
Meredith Layne (Castlevania, A Tale Dark & Grimm) is the voice director. Linda Lamontagne (BoJack Horseman, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Close Enough) is the voice casting director.
Animation Team
Shaun O’Neil serves as the art director. Kofi Fiagome serves as the animation/ storyboard supervisor. Invincible comic book artist Ryan Ottley serves as the creative consultant.
Luke Ashworth, Nate Bellegarde, Nick Lombardo, Tim Nicklas, Johnathan N. Reyes, Charles Tan, and Alex Wilson are the character designers.
Catherine Agor, Jon Christopher Finch, Kelly Mai, James T. Robb, and Yoshi Vu are the background designers.
Matthew Carbonella (Big Hero 6: The Series, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Star Trek: Lower Decks), Lora Innes, Tanner Johnson, and Chris Palmer are the storyboard artists. Karon Clerk, Chris Pimentel, Kaitrin Snodgrass (Ben 10, Little Demon), and Suzi Whifler are the storyboard revisionists.
Luke Asa Guidici serves as the episode’s animatic editor. Samantha Schnauder is the visual effects editor.
The Voice Cast Behind Invincible
Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Sorry to Bother You, Minari, Nope) voices the series’ protagonist and titular character, Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson, also known as Invincible. Sandra Oh (Big Fat Liar, The Chair, Umma, Quiz Lady) voices Deborah “Debbie” Grayson, Mark’s mother.
J.K. Simmons (the Spider-Man film franchise, Whiplash, Palm Springs) is credited as the voice of Nolan Grayson—Mark’s father and Debbie’s husband—, also known as Omni-Man.
Supporting Voice Actors
Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2, Atlanta) voices Amber Justine Bennett, Mark’s girlfriend. Andrew Rannells (Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake) voices William Clockwell, Mark’s best friend.
Grey DeLisle (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) voices Monster Girl, a Viltrumite named Thula, and a woman. Melise (Unfabulous) voices Dupli-Kate and Lucinda, a woman at the Spouses of Superheroes support group. Jason Mantzoukas (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Mouth, Close Enough) voices Rex Splode.
Ross Marquand (Avengers: Infinity War, Robot Chicken, The Walking Dead) voices Rudolph “Rudy” Connors.
Jay Pharoah voices data twin #1, a “cute guy”, and Coalition council member #1. Walton Goggins voices Cecil.
Additional voice performances come from Nyima Funk, Robert Kesselman, Dan Navarro (The Cleveland Show, The Boys Presents: Diabolical), and Ami Shukla.
Guest Voice Actors
Seth Rogen (Sausage Party) guest stars as the voice of Allen the Alien, an evaluation officer for the Coalition of Planets. Peter Cullen (Transformers film franchise) voices Thaedus, a member of the Coalition of Planets.
Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2, Birdgirl, The Man Who Fell to Earth) voices Thraxan messenger Nuolzot, disguised on Earth as the in-universe fictional character, Séance Dog. Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Blindspotting) voices Alana/ Green Ghost’s widower Theo, as well as Coalition council member #2.
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, Perry Mason, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) voices Telia, a member of the Coalition and Allen’s girlfriend. Ben Schwartz voices Shapesmith.
Lea Thompson (Back to the Future franchise) voices Carol, the therapist for the Spouses of Superheroes support group. Paul F. Tompkins voices the fourth wall narrator for the episode.
Fred Tatasciore voices a movie theater ticket seller, data twin #2, and a Unopan named Marvin.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Rudolph “Rudy” Connors (voiced by Ross Marquand) and Monster Girl’s (voiced by Grey DeLisle) character dynamic is one of the sweeter and innocent subplots of the episode. Their exchange over fear as a natural human response breathes humanity into the rest of the subplots, with other characters taking on their own personal worlds not knowing what is ahead for any of them. Rudy and Monster Girl’s subplot is one that concludes nicely, especially with the latter character’s line: “A good burger and fries is one of the greatest pleasures in life!”
While Allen’s fate is uncertain, Mark’s subplot leads to more personal matters that eventually collide with his ecospherical milieu in the season as Invincible. Similarly, Debbie’s coping with her husband’s loss continues to travel through a downward spiral. In her subplot, she shares a brief dynamic with a widower named Theo (voiced by Daveed Diggs). This is handled differently, yet more realistically compared with the gleeful means taken in the source material, where she has brunch with the widow of a superhero named Superpatriot. Diggs’s voice also adds a layer to the emotional tone that the subplot puts on and is all the better for it.
Final Thoughts on Invincible Season 2 Episode 3
For the most part, this third episode of Invincible Season 2 is more grounded than previous episodes that viewers have seen. “This Missive, This Machination!” highlights humanity via vulnerabilities in its different characters, showcasing the fact that there is no true straightforward path to happiness and satisfaction. This overall theme for the episode supplements the ongoing thesis that one must encounter adversity before reaching triumph. Moreover, this is going to be a hard-hitting point with next weekend’s midseason finale and more so with the inevitable Season 2 finale.
Invincible Season 2 is now streaming via Prime Video!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more action, adaptation, adventure, animation, comic book, drama, fantasy, and science-fiction, and thriller-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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