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Episode 6 of Invincible Season 3 delivered one of the most emotional and intense stories. It explored deep themes like trauma, justice, and revenge, all while giving us an incredible performance by Aaron Paul as Powerplex.
The episode focused on the long-lasting consequences of Omni-Man’s actions and how people view Mark’s role in the destruction.
Many fans even call this the Breaking Bad episode because Powerplex’s wife looks eerily similar to Jane Margolis, played by Krysten Ritter in Breaking Bad. Coincidence? Maybe not. Let’s break it all down.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions based on their interpretation of the content.
Mark vs. Powerplex
This episode focused on the destruction left behind after Nolan’s brutal attack on Chicago. We saw how different people reacted to that tragedy, and it showed us how trauma can twist perceptions.
Powerplex, whose real name is Scott Tuba, is just a regular guy working for the GDA, has a family, and can absorb energy, but his powers aren’t anything crazy. His life was turned upside down when Omni-Man attacked.
Remember the mother and daughter that Mark tried but failed to save? The ones crushed under the collapsing building? That was Scott’s sister and niece. To make things worse, the last thing Scott saw was Mark holding his sister’s severed arm before flying off with Nolan.
From our perspective, we know Mark was helpless, but from Scott’s angle, it looked like he was with Omni-Man. No one saw Nolan smash Mark into buildings. They just saw Invincible crashing into the city and causing more damage. And when the battle ended, Mark disappeared.
The truth is, Mark was in the hospital recovering. But the public had no idea. They thought he ran away, making people like Scott question whether Invincible was a hero at all.
Scott wasn’t always obsessed with revenge. At first, he just wanted Mark to face consequences for what happened. He started a petition to put Invincible on trial, but when no one listened, his frustration grew.
His desperation led him to stalk the district attorney, pleading for justice. He felt like his family’s deaths were forgotten, just another statistic in the wake of Omni-Man’s destruction.
The show does a great job of making us reflect on how we, as viewers, sometimes treat death as just part of the spectacle. We remember the train scene because it was shocking, but we don’t think about the individual lives lost. For Scott, this wasn’t just another tragedy, it was personal.
As he continued working at the GDA, surrounded by reports on Viltrumites and Mark’s actions, his paranoia deepened. He ignored evidence that showed Mark was just as helpless as anyone else during the attack. Instead, he convinced himself that Invincible was a villain and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Aaron Paul’s performance as Scott was phenomenal. We watched his growing obsession, mapping out Mark’s appearances and predicting his movements. He even practiced his villain speech in front of his wife, which was both sad and darkly funny.
His Powerplex suit was a contrast to Invincible’s, a red version of Mark’s blue suit, but with his face fully exposed. This wasn’t just about fighting. He wanted Mark to see him, to recognize who he was and why he was doing this.
Even more disturbing, Scott’s wife, Becky, wasn’t just supporting him, she was actively helping. She hammered bio-thermal discs into his skin to enhance his powers. She was the one who suggested attacking the memorial to lure Mark out. That level of devotion and desperation was chilling.
In the end, Scott became exactly what he hated, a superpowered being willing to risk innocent lives to justify his own pain.
A devastating battle with no winners
When Scott finally confronted Mark, he forced him to relive his worst nightmares. He put a woman and child in danger, just like Angstrom Levy did with Debbie and Oliver. And just like in that fight, Mark lost control.
In a tragic twist, Scott’s wife and child were caught in the crossfire. In his rage, he accidentally kills them. Yet even after this, he still blamed Mark.
Mark managed to stop Powerplex by forcing him to burn out his energy. But the damage was done. Scott’s body was permanently altered, fused with the bio-thermal discs, making it impossible to remove them without killing him. The GDA locked him away indefinitely.
Even then, Mark tried to reach out, telling Scott that his guilt held him back from saving people. But Scott refused to listen. Similarly, Mark struggles to forgive Nolan, and Powerplex refuses to forgive Mark.
This episode was emotionally devastating but brilliantly written. It explored grief, trauma, and justice in a way that made us question our views on heroism.
It also set up some big questions for the future. Mark is realizing that being a hero isn’t just about saving people, it is about acknowledging the pain of those he couldn’t save. But will that ever be enough? And what happens if he starts feeling like his apologies don’t matter?
One thing is for sure: Invincible is only getting better.
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