The latest installment of Amazon Prime Video’s animated superhero series, Invincible, takes a detour from its central narrative in Season 4, Episode 4, “Hurm.” Even as the series, based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman, continues to build its expansive universe, this episode feels largely disconnected from the immediate emotional stakes established in the three-part premiere. The episode’s strength lies in its world-building and the introduction of compelling, if somewhat tangential, characters, but it ultimately feels like a pause in the larger story of Mark Grayson and his struggle with his inherited power.
“Hurm” centers around a quest in the Underrealm, a demonic dimension, initiated by the hardboiled detective Damien Darkblood – a character Kirkman previously stated he hadn’t originally written into the comic series. The episode opens with a brief but poignant scene of Mark visiting Art, his father’s former costume maker, voiced by Mark Hamill, seeking guidance on how to avoid becoming like Nolan. Art’s advice – “The fact that it’s eating you alive means you’re not him” – provides a moment of emotional resonance, but is quickly overshadowed by the episode’s shift to the Underrealm.
A Descent into the Demonic
The bulk of “Hurm” takes place in Hell, amidst a conflict between Darkblood’s forces and the formidable Volcanikka, voiced with relish by Indira Varma. The episode establishes a broader mythology of the Underrealm, showcasing its brutal power dynamics and introducing characters like Domina, Darkblood’s sister, who meets a violent end at Volcanikka’s hands. This sets the stage for Darkblood’s summoning of Mark, reluctantly pulled into a fetch-quest to prevent the unleashing of ancient volcanic monsters. The visual design of the Underrealm is striking, and the action sequences, while plentiful, lack the emotional weight of previous confrontations.
The episode’s pacing feels uneven, frequently interrupted by exposition-heavy dialogue from Darkblood. His unique speech pattern – deliberately omitting definite articles – is initially amusing, but quickly becomes grating, mirroring Mark’s own visible boredom. The attempt to explain the cyclical nature of ages and the remnants of past worlds feels like a forced info-dump, detracting from the immediate tension of the situation. The show’s usual strength, weaving together multiple storylines, is absent here, leaving the focus solely on Mark and Darkblood’s journey through the Underrealm.
A Clash of Styles and a Familiar Face
The soundtrack choices in “Hurm” are a notable departure for Invincible. While the use of Thrash Metal during the subterranean fights is thematically appropriate, it doesn’t quite elevate the action sequences. The music feels more like background noise than a driving force, failing to match the intensity of the visuals. However, the appearance of Bruce Campbell as the Devil is a delightful highlight, injecting a much-needed dose of humor into the otherwise grim proceedings. Campbell’s portrayal is intentionally campy, offering a welcome contrast to the episode’s more serious tone.
The episode does offer a few moments of genuine intrigue. The idea of challenging humanity’s preconceived notions of Hell has the potential to explore complex moral questions, particularly as Mark grapples with his own evolving ethical compass. However, these opportunities are largely unexplored, with Mark resorting to lethal force out of obligation rather than internal conflict. The episode’s disconnect from the larger narrative leaves the characters feeling somewhat adrift, lacking the emotional grounding that has defined the series thus far.
A Cliffhanger and a Looming Threat
Despite its shortcomings, “Hurm” concludes with a compelling cliffhanger. The episode shifts back to Earth, where Eve reveals her pregnancy to her friend William, intending to share the news with Mark. Before she can, however, a shocking sight appears above their neighborhood: Allen, Mark’s friend, and, more ominously, Nolan Grayson, Mark’s father, returning to Earth after a prolonged absence. This sets the stage for a potentially explosive confrontation and raises questions about Nolan’s motives and the future of the series.
The return of Nolan Grayson, a character whose actions have had devastating consequences, promises to inject a new level of complexity into the narrative. His reappearance, following his departure as a genocidal force, suggests a looming threat and a potential escalation of the conflict. The episode’s final moments effectively re-establish the emotional stakes, hinting at the challenges Mark will face as he navigates his complicated relationship with his father and prepares for the arrival of his child.
While “Hurm” may not be the strongest episode of Invincible Season 4, it serves as a necessary, if somewhat meandering, detour. The episode’s exploration of the Underrealm expands the series’ mythology and introduces intriguing new characters, but its lack of focus on the central narrative leaves it feeling somewhat disjointed. The cliffhanger ending, however, promises a return to the emotional core of the series and sets the stage for a potentially explosive continuation. Fans can expect the next episode to address both Eve’s pregnancy and the unexpected return of Nolan Grayson, promising a dramatic shift in the series’ trajectory.
Stay tuned to time.news for continuing coverage of Invincible Season 4 as new episodes are released on Amazon Prime Video.
