The highest-rated episodes in Invincible‘s four-season run prove that the show has just lost a big cheat code. The ranking of Invincible’s seasons typifies the show’s quality; many would not begrudge someone for ranking season 1 as the best, while others would say the same for season 3.
Invincible season 3’s ending provided two excellent episodes, meaning many would class it as an improvement over season 2. Invincible season 4 has then come flying out of the gates, with a great three-episode premiere, a solid episode 4, and a series-best episode 5. Invincible’s Coalition of Planets heroes assembled to finally take the fight to the Viltrumites, teasing a massive end to season 4.
The episode was revered by audiences for a number of reasons, becoming one of the highest-rated in the show’s history. When looking at this alongside the other installments of Invincible that resonated with audiences the most, it becomes clear that the show just lost its biggest cheat code.
All 3 Of Invincible’s Highest-Rated Episodes Feature Conquest
Mark Grayson holding Conquest and getting ready to punch him in Invincible
There is a notable constant between the three highest-rated episodes of Invincible​​​​​​: they all feature Conquest. Conquest was introduced in the back end of Invincible season 3 as the latest Viltrumite to be sent to Earth to prepare the planet to become part of the Viltrum Empire. Omni-Man was the first in season 1 before Anissa arrived in season 2, but Conquest proved the biggest threat Invincible faced.
Conquest’s first appearance came in the final moments of Invincible season 3, episode 7, as Mark and the rest of the world were reeling from the Invincible War. Naturally, season 3, episode 8 then featured the villain to a much larger extent, showcasing Mark and Atom Eve’s attempts to stop the Viltrumite from wreaking more havoc on Earth.
Despite Mark thinking he had killed Conquest in that episode, Cecil kept the latter alive to see if he could gain information on the Viltrum Empire. After Conquest’s escape, however, his next appearance came in season 4, episode 5, with Invincible offering up a rematch between him and Mark.
Invincible Episode
IMDb Rating (Descending Order)
Season 3, Episode 8, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up”
9.9/10
Season 4, Episode 5, “Give Us a Moment”
9.8/10
Season 3, Episode 7, “What Have I Done?”
9.7/10
Season 1, Episode 8, “Where I Really Come From”
9.7/10
Season 1, Episode 7, “We Need to Talk”
9.6/10
Uncoincidentally, these three episodes featuring Conquest are the highest-rated in Invincible’s entire run. Season 3, episode 8, which highlights Mark and Conquest’s first battle, has a near-perfect 9.9/10 rating from almost 90,000 IMDb reviews. The most recent episode, season 4, episode 5, sits at 9.8/10, while season 3, episode 7 has a 9.7/10 rating. Season 1, episode 8 of Invincible matches the latter, but season 3, episode 7 has almost 10,000 more reviews, ranking it third.
In the comics, Conquest’s impact on Mark’s life has long been known as the turning point of the story, explaining why it was such a hyped-up confrontation for the show to adapt. The arrival of Conquest had a massive impact on audiences, as did the ensuing battle. The rematch between him and Mark is the biggest talking point of Invincible season 4, episode 5, explaining why it joins the ranks of season 3’s last two episodes.
​​​​​​Conquest’s Death Leaves Invincible Without Its Cheat Code Going Forward
Conquest looking at Mark and Bolan while in space with a ship behind him in Invincible season 4
All of this renders Conquest a highly effective cheat code for Invincible when it comes to garnering top fan ratings. That said, Invincible has lost this cheat code going forward. The rematch between Conquest and Mark in Invincible season 4, episode 5 was a gruesome, bloody affair, but the latter won out.
Despite Conquest’s best attempts at getting Mark to back down, the show’s titular hero choked the Viltrumite villain until he stopped breathing. The episode ended with Omni-Man and Oliver finding Mark, barely still alive, next to Conquest’s corpse. Going into the remainder of season 4 and then season 5 and beyond, Invincible can no longer utilize Conquest’s unique presence as a villain to continue the IMDb trend of remarkably high scores.
How Invincible Can Make Up For Conquest’s Absence
A close-up of Thragg (Lee Pace) flying through space in Invincible season 4
Although Conquest is no more, Invincible has a lot going for it to make future episodes just as highly regarded as the three in question. For one, the back half of Invincible season 4 will feature the Viltrumite War as the Coalition of Planets strikes back. This will allow for a great deal of major fight scenes in the coming weeks, some that could even rival those featuring Conquest.
One character that will undoubtedly be involved in such fights is Invincible’s Grand Regent Thragg, the leader of the Viltrum Empire. Thragg is considered the most powerful of the Viltrumites, meaning he can provide the menacing, dangerous threat that Conquest has since the end of season 3. In this way, Invincible shouldn’t miss Conquest too much, but it will be hard for three episodes to outscore those in the past that have featured the twisted Viltrumite antagonist.
Release Date
March 26, 2021
Network
Amazon Prime Video
