Amazon Prime Video's Invincible Season 2 ending explained (and what it means for Season 3)

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Invincible just wrapped up its second season and – true to form for the Amazon Prime Video superhero series – the finale doesn’t take it easy on protagonist Mark Grayson. It’s a lot to take in, especially once the multiverse-hopping hijinks kick-off. So, with that in mind, here’s a breakdown of the key events from Invincible Season 2’s ending, and how they set up Invincible Season 3.

Warning: Major spoilers for Invincible Season 2, Episode 8, 'I Thought You Were Stronger,' coming up!

What happens in the Invincible Season 2 finale?

First and foremost, Invincible Season 2, Episode 8, 'I Thought You Were Stronger' finally delivers the long-awaited showdown between Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) and Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown). It’s a suitably epic affair, with Levy using his powers to bounce Mark around the multiverse while holding Mark’s mom, Debbie (Sandra Oh), and half-brother, Oliver (Lincoln Bodin), hostage. Pushed to the brink, Mark eventually gains the upper hand in a wasteland reality. He dishes out a savage beating on Levy – and when it’s over, the supervillain is dead.

It’s a hollow victory for Mark, who is horrified by the blood (literally) on his hands. Mark had assumed Levy was strong enough to survive him cutting loose, and now he’s a killer, just like his father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). This realization, coupled with his solitary surroundings, starts driving Mark loopy, however, he keeps it together long enough for the Guardians of the Globe to show up and rescue him.

It’s not the Guardians as Mark knows them, though. Instead, it’s a version of the team from 20 years in the future, headed up by an older incarnation of Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs). Eve and the elder Guardians reveal that their universe’s timeline took a dark turn after Mark disappeared, which is why they spent two decades (from their perspective) tracking him down. They send Mark home, but not before Eve drops a bombshell: she loves him.

Now back where he belongs, Mark expresses regret over Levy’s death to Global Defense Agency boss Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins). Cecil insists Mark didn’t cross any lines by killing Levy, and reassures him that he’s not becoming like Omni-Man. Mark’s not buying it and flies off, crying out in anguish as he streaks across the sky. Once he’s calmed down, Mark reunites with the still-recovering Debbie at the Grayson family home. He tells Debbie he’s dropping out of college to focus on controlling his powers, and she reluctantly accepts his decision.

This heart-to-heart is followed by another emotional reunion, this time between Mark and Eve. Eve makes it clear that she’s there for Mark whenever he needs someone to confide in. In response, Mark comes this close to expressing his true feelings for Eve – something her future self begged him to do – but ultimately thinks better of it. The scene ends with Mark and Eve sitting with their heads together, and then the credits roll on Invincible Season 2’s final episode.

Wait, is Angstrom Levy really gone after just one Invincible season?

It sure looks that way. Even though we’re spared from taking in the full extent of Angstrom Levy’s injuries, that dude’s head is pulp after Mark’s done whaling on him in the Invincible Season 2 finale. That said, Levy’s death may not be as final as it seems.

In the Invincible comics, Levy recovers from his wounds. He’s more disfigured than before, but no less dangerous for that. The Invincible show generally hews very closely to the comics, so don’t be surprised if Levy returns to wreak havoc on Mark’s life again in a future season.

What about Invincible’s supporting cast – do they factor into the Season 2 finale’s plot?

You bet they do. Notably, we catch up with Omni-Man on the Viltrum Empire’s prison space station. He’s fully recovered from the brutal injuries he suffered in Invincible Season 2’s mid-season finale but has no intention of escaping. Instead, he’s going to allow the Viltrumites to go ahead with his planned execution as a way of atoning for his crimes. The arrival of a new inmate, Mark’s buddy Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen), may change that, however.

Omni-Man’s not the only supporting player to have a surprise encounter in the Invincible Season 2 finale, either. Dupli-Kate (Malese Jow) drops in on the Immortal (Ross Marquand) at his mountain retreat. He’s suitably amazed, as Kate died back in Episode 5. She explains that the Kate the Guardians knew was actually one of her duplicates. Kate toyed with the idea of retiring from crime-fighting but ultimately came back because of her feelings for the Immortal (awwww).

Oh, and in other heart-warming news, Robot (Marquand) and Monster Girl (Grey Griffin) work through their issues and decide to go on another date. It’s easily one of the smallest plot developments in Invincible Season 2, Episode 8, but it’s a sweet moment all the same.

Does the Invincible Season 2 finale have a post-credits scene?

Yep, and it’s a doozy. The Invincible Season 2 finale’s post-credits scene takes us back to the Viltrumite prison. Here, Omni-Man and Allen talk using the latter’s telepathic powers. Allen tries recruiting the repentant Omni-Man, however, he’s still set on dying… until he’s struck by a sudden realization. “I think I miss my wife,” Omni-Man declares.

What does all this mean for Invincible Season 3?

The most obvious carryover between Invincible Season 2 and Season 3 is the looming battle between Mark and his allies and the Viltrum Empire. Omni-Man teaming up with Allen to bust out of jail is practically a given, now that he’s regained the will to live. Season 2 also lays the groundwork for Allen’s boss, rebel Viltrumite Thaedus (Peter Cullen), and the Coalition of Planets to devise a winning strategy using information Mark supplied them in Episode 6.

Then there’s Mark’s guilt over (apparently) killing Angstrom Levy to consider. Regardless of what Cecil said, Mark crossed a line during his fight with Levy, and there will be lasting psychological ramifications attached to that. Count on seeing Mark work through this in Invincible Season 3. At the same time, Mark seeking out Amber in the aftermath of Levy’s (supposed) death suggests they’ll get even closer – and possibly even start dating – in the show’s third batch of episodes.

For more Invincible Season 2 insights, check out our interview with co-showrunner and executive producer Simon Racioppa.