‘Invincible’ Season 2, Episode 2 Recap: What Is Sly Cecil Hiding?

Invincible Season 2 continues to roll with the multiversal mayhem and emotional reconciliation for both Mark (Steven Yeun) and Debbie Grayson (Sandra Oh) in the second episode of Part 1. The only logical way to maintain momentum from a near-perfect Season 2 premiere is to put our blue and yellow spandex-clad hero into even more danger, and Episode 2 is more than up to that task.

Those expecting immediate resolution or a quick follow-up from the first episode will likely be disappointed, as Episode 2 draws back and looks more into Invincible’s personal life. Mark has always relied on those closest to him for support, and this installment amplifies that connection by developing intimate stakes for several supporting characters such as Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs), Amber Bennett (Zazie Beetz), and Debbie. Let’s dive right in and summarize the events with our Invincible Season 2, Episode 2 recap.

Invincible Season 2, Episode 2 opens with all of Mark’s friends, Amber, Eve, and William (Andrew Rannells) donning caps and gowns at one of the most significant events in their life thus far — high school graduation. There’s only one problem: Mark is nowhere to be found, and they’re about to start calling names. We quickly learn Invincible is off fighting Doc Seismic (Chris Diamantopoulos), who is engaged in an evil plan to return all non-wooden structures to the Earth’s core, starting with the Washington Monument, a fun encounter given the Doc’s Rushmore-crushing outing in Season 1.

After a few brief hiccups and a less-than-desirable outcome in Cecil’s (Walton Goggins) eyes, Mark saves the day and makes it back for the big ceremony. To celebrate their commendable accomplishment, the young adults head off to plan their summer, but as usual, Mark can’t find a spot where he fits into this puzzle. It’s apparent very early in this episode he is struggling to prioritize what’s important in his life. Finding a good work/life balance is always hard, but this difficulty is compounded when you’re only 18 and tasked with saving the world daily.

As the episode deviates from the new graduates, it’s quickly revealed that Mars native Rus, aka Shapesmith (Ben Schwartz) is hiding out at the United States Space Agency — a post he is likely not long for. Over in Chicago, Atom Eve helps to rebuild what’s left of the city after the Invincible/Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons) clash. Eve is fighting an uphill battle here, struggling against slow bureaucratic processes, but she will not stand idly by while innocent people are displaced from their homes. She shows up the construction crew and rebuilds an apartment building in a matter of seconds, a very impressive effort from a true hero.

Back at the Guardians of the Globe HQ, Rex Splode (Jason Mantzoukas) comes to the devastating realization that Dupli-Kate (Melise) is in a steamy relationship with Immortal (Ross Marquand). While the new team continues to struggle to build chemistry, Cecil sends his most reliable soldier, Mark, on yet another mission. Mark refuses to cut himself a break throughout this second episode, insisting on holding himself to the highest standard; hoping this will prevent him from turning into his father.

Mark flies off to investigate a Darkwing (Lennie James) sighting, which immediately causes a stir — Omni-Man brutally murdered the Batman-like hero in the Season 1 premiere, and there is simply no way he’s alive. Invincible quickly discovers his sidekick/assistant Nightboy has taken up the mantle. He manages to subdue and capture the new and improved Darkwing, but not before tapping into his more sinister side. Mark is either exceptionally talented at putting on a show or the lines between good and evil are beginning to blur together more than he’d like to admit.

At the core of Invincible Season 2, Episode 2 is Cecil, widening the split between Mark and his mother at every turn. Mark is capable of making his own decisions, but both Debbie and Cecil, who remain at odds, continue to pull him apart in opposite directions. They are both hindering Mark from finding a healthy balance, one side (Cecil) pulling him away from everything that makes him human, and the other (Debbie) pulling him from everything that makes him Invincible. If they don’t want to lose Mark or want him to turn into Omni-Man 2.0, they must find common ground and support him by allowing him to make his own choices.

Eve returns to the Wilkins family household to a less-than-warm welcome; she finds her parents struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. Her father is hung up on his old-school pride, refusing to let his daughter help, despite her ability to conjure anything they could ever need instantly. Tension comes to a boil when her father hands her a newspaper and reveals that her work in Chicago did not result in the desired outcome. There is a reason the city refused to rebuild on that land — a giant sinkhole left the foundation unstable, and Eve’s attempt to help left dozens injured. She will have to come to terms with the right way to make a difference.

Before the episode concludes, Cecil has one more mission for Invincible. Mark is to go down to Atlantis and make peace with their people, a direct fallout of his father murdering Aquarus (Ross Marquand) in the Season 1 premiere. Mark initially believes his peace offering is to be a marriage ceremony with Aquarus’ widow, but he quickly learns Cecil’s information on this topic is outdated. He steps into an underwater trial by combat against a massive sea monster, who breaks loose and begins terrorizing the people of Atlantis. Mark then makes the noble choice to save the people who were just trying to kill him, a hopeful sign for his future in Season 2.

The Guardians of the Globe welcome Shapesmith to the team with (mostly) open arms, and the team has a new threat to face: the Lizard League. King Lizard kills Supreme Lizard and appoints himself the new leader of the organization, establishing a lower-level antagonist for the foreseeable future. Mark is working mostly separately from the rest of the team but continues to prove himself as a formidable ally for Earth, whether it be for Cecil and the Guardians of the Globe, or on his terms.

Things are beginning to click for Debbie, who is shocked to see Donald (Diamantopoloulos) alive after her former husband Nolan ripped his spine out. She reaches her breaking point at the end of this episode, but fortunately, Mark is there to comfort his mother, just as she’s been there for him so many times. It’s becoming increasingly obvious to her and the audience that Cecil is hiding something, but her lack of powers leaves her feeling vulnerable and helpless. Fortunately for her, her son is Invincible.

Invincible Season 2, Episode 2 concludes with a shocking multiversal reveal that a version of Mark has been imprisoned by Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown). Two female versions of Cecil and Donald appear, ready to make Invincible pay for all the damage he’s done to their world. It’s unclear whether this is the same war-ravaged planet from the opening in Episode 1, or another new universe entirely. Whether this season aims to follow just two universes or many more, it’s certain creator Robert Kirkland will tie this story together brilliantly and satisfyingly.

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