Warning! This article contains spoilers for Invincible season 3, episode 7.
Invincible season 3, episode 7 has finally broken a troublesome cycle, though it may have left many fans emotionally devastated. Throughout the series so far, this season has dedicated significant time to shaping its supporting characters, emphasizing their interactions and their connections to Mark. While some viewers find this slow buildup to be filler, others appreciate the rich development of Invincible‘s character roster.
No matter the varying opinions, it’s widely accepted that episode 7 of Invincible season 3 stands out as a high point in the series. The show introduced a dramatic twist by featuring the iconic Invincible War storyline, where villainous variants of Mark Grayson/Invincible orchestrated attacks on Earth at the command of Angstrom Levy. As the world’s heroes rallied to confront this overwhelming threat, they faced dire consequences, including tragic deaths on both sides of the battle. One poignant death was especially heart-wrenching, but I argue that it was necessary for Invincible to move past a concerning trend observed in earlier seasons.
A Major Death Was Essential After Numerous Character Resurrections
Characters Have Been Dodging Death Too Often
The heart-wrenching death in question is that of Rex Splode. His demise comes as he channels his explosive powers into his own skeleton in an effort to defeat an evil variant of Mark. While Rex’s growth in character over the past seasons makes this loss particularly painful, it was a necessary event in light of the frequent fake-outs that have become a recurring theme in the series. From Allen’s apparent death in season two to the multiple resurrections of Immortal, Invincible has struggled with maintaining the weight of its character deaths.
Invincible became a series where characters were inevitably expected to survive…
Despite many plot points being faithful to the comics, it does not change the fact that Invincible started to evolve into a narrative where survival was taken for granted. Season 2 illustrated this clearly when characters like Rex, Shrinking Rae, and Dupli-Kate emerged unscathed from the Lizard League’s assault despite suffering significant injuries. Season 3, episode 7 continued this trend with characters such as Shapesmith and Immortal escaping from dire situations. In light of this, Rex’s permanent departure feels like a much-needed shift.
Rex Splode’s Passing Strikes Hard, But It Serves a Purpose
Characters Can’t Be Immortal
However, Rex’s passing carries a heavy emotional weight. Over the course of the show, he transitioned from an arrogant brat to a compassionate and selfless hero. In episode 7, Invincible toyed with the prospect of happiness for Rex and Rae before ultimately sacrificing Rex in a powerful battle scene. Personally, I felt a surge of sadness at Rex’s demise, yet I recognize that it serves an essential purpose.
In storytelling, characters’ mortality is crucial to the narrative’s stakes. The most engaging tales resonate because they embody genuine risk and consequence. Invincible struggled to deliver such stakes as it often had characters emerge unscathed from life-or-death scenarios. Conversely, Rex’s permanent death amplifies the sense of loss, fulfilling a vital storytelling function. As a result, Invincible season 3, episode 7 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the series, catalyzed by the poignant loss of a key character.