Light spoilers follow for Gen V season 2 episodes 1 to 3.

It's crunch time for Gen V season 2. Like the superpowered freshman students who populate the The Boys' college-based spin-off, there wasn't much pressure for Gen V's debut season to contend with.

Sophomore year is a whole different game, though. With the Amazon TV Original's second installment acting as a primer for The Boys' fifth and final season, plus Gen V season 1 being a hit with myself and countless other viewers, the weight of expectation on its eight-part sequel is unmistakable.

Thankfully, Gen V season 2 doesn't collapse under the pressure in its three-episode premiere – at least, not fully. As gleefully gory and riotously raunchy as its predecessor, season 2 is also a thematically darker follow-up whose opening salvo falls shy of earning top marks.

Back to school

Set several months after Gen V's debut season and The Boys season 4, season 2 initially reunites us with the Ant-Man-like Emma (Lizze Broadway) and gender-shifter Jordan (London Thor and Derek Lu), two of four Godolkin University (God U) first-year students incarcerated at Elmira Adult Rehabilitation Center at the end of Gen V season 1's finale.

Unexpectedly, the pair are whisked back to God U, which now operates as something of a surveillance state, where they're forced to help cover up events in last season's finale. Namely, the fact that the college's deceased dean Indira Shetty was responsible for the Supe civil war that erupted on campus in season 1's last chapter, and the creation of a Supe-killing virus that was secretly tested on students in an underground facility called The Woods.

But, things aren't rosy for Emma and Jordan, nor their fellow Supe students Cate (Maddie Phillips) and Sam (Asa Germann). The latter pair are heroes among their college kin and the general public for their roles in the campus battle, which led to a summer internship at Vought International under America's new shadow president Homelander, so you might expect this duo to have an easier time of things.

Nonetheless, with a new autocratic and secretive Head named Cipher (Hamish Linklater) assuming control of God U, the emergence of new secrets concerning jailbird and former student Marie (Jaz Sinclair), and the ongoing trauma of what happened to them between seasons, Gen V's superpowered teens must make peace with their recent suffering and learn to trust each other again to solve more God U-based mysteries.

Gen V 2 wastes no time tackling the first of said puzzles in the shape of The Odessa Project.

A flashback sequence involving Doctor Thomas Godolkin (Ethan Slater), the university's founder and right-hand man to Vought International founder and Compound V creator Doctor Frederick Vought, immediately sets the stage for this enigma-filled storyline that seems like it'll play a central role in this season's overarching narrative.

Season 2 doesn't dangle this plot-based carrot in front of us before snatching it away, either. Indeed, its first three episodes give us plenty to chew over regarding The Odessa Project and how it involves Marie; a far cry from other shows that delay important character and/or plot beats for no reason.

Speaking of Marie, Gen V doesn't drag out her first appearance this season. Again, another TV series may have withheld the return of its primary protagonist to generate anticipation among viewers. Pleasingly, Gen V's writing team knows better than to make us wait, with Marie, who's initially only interested in finding her younger sibling following her escape from Elmira, reintroduced just 16 minutes into episode 1.

A Chance to reflect

The same is true about the off-screen demise of Andre Anderson.

Chance Perdomo, the actor who portrayed the metal-manipulating God U student in season 1, died in a motorbike accident in March 2024. Following this tragedy, Gen V's creative team announced that they wouldn't recast the role of Andre and that they'd "recraft our season 2 storylines" to honor Perdomo's work on the show.

This season's three-episode premiere sensitively handles the loss of Perdomo in a manner befitting the talented young actor and the heroic character he played in one of the best Prime Video shows. From episode 1's 'in memoriam' title card, to the heart-wrenching and tender scenes between Gen V's tight-knit cast, the weight of Perdomo's loss is palpable.

In that sense, it's an opportunity for the show's cast, crew, and audience to grieve, reflect on Perdomo's life and career, and truly start to individually and collectively heal after an emotionally devastating 18-month period.

Understandably, Andre's in-universe passing has as much of an impact on the show's other characters as Perdomo's death did on its cast. Indeed, Andre's demise looms large over season 2's opening chapters and, coupled with the explosive events from last season's finale, injects a tangible tension into Gen V's primary friendship group that's subsequently shattered amid said tumultuous events.

Season 1 wasn't devoid of teen- and college-based melodrama; but the loss of a popular actor and character, and the keen sense of betrayal felt by various characters towards their classmates, raises the stakes even more, with Marie and company facing arguably bigger problems.

Curriculum clichés

The breakdown of some dynamics allows new amusement-filled and heartfelt relationships to blossom, too. The establishment of a surrogate/odd-couple bond between Andre's father Polarity (Sean Patrick Thomas) and Emma – Broadway would be my MVP of season 2 so far if not for another actor's performance – is particularly striking. An endearing reconciliation between Jordan and Sam suggests that there might be a way for Gen V's core crew to not only forgive one another, but also band together to tackle a shared antagonistic figure in Linklater's Cipher.

And, based on episodes 1 through 3, what an adversary he is. As dangerous as he is mysterious, Linklater is wonderfully sinister, mesmerically manipulative, and captivatingly forthright as God U's new Dean and self-appointed Hero Optimization course tutor.

Linklater has revelled in other TV roles, including FX's Legion, Netflix's Midnight Mass, and Amazon's Batman: Caped Crusader, but, if his performance in Gen V 2's first three episodes are anything to go by, I think Cipher might be the role he's had the most fun playing. Keep up this acting display and, in my view, it'll be his best work yet.

Cipher isn't the only entertaining element of this season. Sure, season 2's thematically darker narrative is indicative of the nightmarish turn its parent show took in its fourth season, but Gen V doesn't disregard the edgy humor that The Boys universe is renowned for.

I'll admit that some of this humor is starting to lose its appeal or effectiveness, but the franchise's whip-smart and unsubtle takedowns of real-world establishments and sociopolitical issues, coupled with a sprinkling of awkward teen comedy, ensures that Gen V's jokes still land more often than not.

Considering that it bridges the gap between The Boys season 4 and its forthcoming final installment, Gen V 2 is packed with references to the last season's story and obligatory cameos from the main show's cast roster. Some of those moments are more brazen than others – Annie January/Starlight's (Erin Moriarty) appearance, which was teased in Gen V season 2's first trailer, is used to drive a specific plot point forward, but I feel it would have worked just as well without her – but, by and large, they serviceably aid the world-building of this franchise.

The same can't be said of this season's jarring tonal shifts and chaotic pacing. Okay, the former is born out of Perdomo's death and other weighty subject matter this season deals with. However, the conflicting nature of the latter makes for a breathless and sluggish watch – sometimes in the same scene – that upset its stride. Add in the occasional toe-dip into old storytelling territory, and Gen V 2's early entries spin their character development wheels a little too much for my liking.

My verdict

Sticking with the show's education backdrop, I'm inclined to give Gen V season 2 a B grade. Despite its obvious flaws, it's still a compelling watch, and a worthy companion piece to its parent show that seems like it'll lay some important foundations ahead of The Boys season 5's debut.

However, it's this setup, coupled with the issues I outlined earlier, that prevent Gen V 2 from passing with flying colors. Like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Gen V seems like it's getting bogged down in establishing the groundwork for bigger and more explosive storylines to come, especially in the main series.

There's bound to be crossover between the shows, and I'm not averse to that. But, based on its three-episode premiere, there's a sense that, as with numerous MCU TV shows on Disney+ that fans have to stay on top of so they know every conceivable character and storyline, a similar creative pattern has crept into Gen V's latest season. In that sense, it'll be homework for fans of The Boys to complete before the latter returns sometime in 2026.

With five more episodes to go, I hope Gen V irons out its creases and proves me wrong, because when it's fully focused on telling its own story, it easily shoots to the top of its teen-drama genre class.

Gen V season 2 episodes 1 to 3 launch on Prime Video on Wednesday, September 17. New episodes air weekly until the finale on October 22.

Lock up your parents and children, people – The Girlfriend is the new Prime Video thriller you don't want to be caught watching with anybody you get easily embarrassed around. Why? While the scandal and mysteries run deep, the erotic sexiness is off the scale.

Taking the cat-and-mouse hunt we see in shows like Killing Eve to a new extreme, The Girlfriend introduces audiences to a mother called Laura (Robin Wright) when she meets her son's new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke). Laura instantly senses that something is amiss and becomes intent on proving that Cherry's involvement in Daniel's (Laurie Davidson) life is more sinister than meets the eye.

As far as new thriller series go, this is pretty damn brilliant. Playing a mother and girlfriend off against each other is dynamic we've rarely seen onscreen in recent years, but add in the dual perspective from each episode (you'll see the same events play out twice from both Laura and Cherry's point of view) and we've got no idea who's truth is the finite truth.

All of this mystery means that if you're anything like me, you'll likely binge the six episodes in the blink of an eye, and even be willing to overlook the slight blunders that pepper the peaks and pits of the drama. If you've read the original novel by Michelle Frances and think you know what's coming, though, think again.

The Girlfriend is hands-down the streamiest stream on Prime Video in 2025

I mean, the trailer says it all. Both Laura and Cherry are playing with fire in The Girlfriend, and I've still got no idea whose side I'm on. We see Laura as both overly-doting (to the point where I'm surprised Daniel hasn't been to therapy) and conniving, while Cherry is an ice-cold manipulator and hapless nobody who's in over her head.

It'll come as no surprise that the intimacy involved (both family and romantic-oriented) is portrayed incredibly well. No matter whether it was a parental argument or a sex scene, I felt as though I should avert my gaze, as it somehow carried the shame of a teenage boy and a worried mother simultaneously. It's rare that such a mainstream limited series could make me feel uncomfortable and intrigued at the same time, and it's a testament to the quality of the series that we're able to sit with moral questions nobody has answers to.

That being said, I promise that each of our mysteries will be answered. There are no loose ends that we'll come away feeling hard-done by, but there's still a dangling 'what if' cliffhanger that leaves us exploring the narrative internally in greater detail.

I wasn't expecting such a level of introspection, nor was I anticipating such precise class commentary from The Girlfriend. Aside from the messed-up love triangle that grabs our attention, the series is also a cutting portrayal of rich vs. poor, and whether we can seamlessly rise from rags to riches like we're told is possible. This is arguably the sub-plot that's done the best of all, and it's genuinely worth watching to have a deeper conversation about this alone.

Robin Wright is an incredible director, but that might be to Laura's detriment

For the most part, I cannot stress enough how impeccable our ensemble cast is. Davidson plays a mommy's boy so well that he's fit to feature on Sabrina Carpenter's latest album, with Tanya Moodie's BFF Isabella a comic treat and a slam dunk for Motherland fans. They offer us all the sex, scandal and explicit drama we'd want, but it's not perfect.

Of course, nothing is, but it's Wright herself that bothers me the most. Even after watching episode 1 alone, it's abundantly clear how much of an exquisite director she is. The Girlfriend has some of the best designed episodes of 2025, and she's the creative lynchpin responsible for that.

But while the feat of acting and directing is impressive, I don't completely buy Wright as Laura onscreen. If anything, she feels somewhat miscast in her own role. There's a lack of tenderness and heart underpinning the decisions Wright makes, although perhaps that's just because I've watched too much House of Cards. Her emotional connection with those around her can feel stilted in a way that transcends what's in the script, and I wonder what another actress would have looked like in her replace.

Laura surprisingly has the least amount of chemistry with her ex-girlfriend Lilith (Anna Chancellor), even when she finds herself snogging the face off of the woman she's supposedly never stopped loving. Chancellor's appearances feel haphazardly tacked on, and as a stalwart fictional lesbian (remember Tipping the Velvet in 2002?), she deserved more. As a real-life lesbian, I deserved more. As an audience, we understood Laura's mental anguish without needed to meet Lilith at all.

By the time we get to episode 3, the dual perspective cat-and-mouse verges on the predictable, and it's not until the latter half on episode 4 that The Girlfriend's second engine kicks into touch, driving it home to stick the landing. Still, these are minor issues in the bigger picture. You'd be hard-pressed to find another Amazon show that swings as scandalously (and successfully) big as this.

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Full spoilers follow for The Wheel of Time season 2. Mild spoilers also follow for season 3's first three episodes.

I have a complicated relationship with The Wheel of Time's (TWoT) TV adaptation. The first season of Amazon's live-action series was terrific – indeed, I said it was everyone's next fantasy show obsession ahead of its April 2021 launch.

The Wheel of Time's second season was less impressive. Yes, it belatedly found its feet as it raced towards its thrilling finale, but it wasn't the epic second chapter I expected it to be. The so-called 'sophomore slump' was most certainly in effect.

So, thank goodness that, based on its three-episode premiere, The Wheel of Time season 3 is a magical return to form for a show whose future rests on its ability to prove that The Rings of Power isn't the only terrific high fantasy program in Amazon's TV arsenal.

Aes Sedai: civil war

One month has passed since Rand al'Thor (Josha Stradowski) was officially declared the Dragon Reborn in Falme. However, despite the defeat of Ishamael and his Seanchan allies, the Shadow looms larger than ever over The Wheel of Time's world.

To prepare for the forthcoming Last Battle, Rand, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), and company need to divide and conquer once more. Cue our heroes splitting up to not only tackle the threat that the Dark One and his subordinates pose, but also acquire the knowledge, skills, and weapons to defeat them once and for all.

Before those events are set in motion, there's the small matter of a civil war erupting among the Aes Sedai. Trouble has been brewing at the all-female magic wielders' stronghold in Tar Valon since the show began. And, like the merciless Thanedd Coup event in The Witcher season 3 on Netflix, episode 1 of TWoT's third entry is the stage for tensions boiling over.

Season 3, then, wastes no time throwing us into the thick of the action. Political infighting (there's still plenty of this once the dust settles on this bout, FYI) between The White Tower's various factions makes way for bloody, One Power-based warfare as those loyal to the Aes Sedai's leader Siuan Sanche (Sophie Okenedo), aka 'Mother', fight literal fire with fire against Liandrin (Kate Fleetwood) and her Black Ajah compatriots – i.e., the Aes Sedai who've now sided with the Dark One.

A microcosm of the wider war that'll eventually envelop TWoT's universe, it's an shockingly cold-blooded and brave reintroduction to one of the best Prime Video shows around. Nonetheless, I welcome any and all courageously creative entry points to new movies and shows or, the latter's case, new seasons, so consider me highly satisfied by this venture.

A dune prophecy

But the Prime Video show's primary heroes aren't side-lined for long. As the dust settles on the conflict within The White Tower's walls and before they part ways to cover as much ground as possible, Rand and company actually spent a significant – well, significant by TWoT's standards – amount of time together in episode 1.

It's a pleasing albeit temporary respite from the dangerous adventures they've embarked on and will soon undertake again. Not only that, it also serves as a reminder of the tight bonds – especially between The Two Rivers quintet of Rand, Egwene (Madeleine Madden), Perrin (Marcus Rutherford), Nynaeve (Zoe Robins), and Matt (Donal Finn) – that they forged before the show began and have been seriously tested since.

The lull between last season's finale and the beginning of season 3's questing doesn't disrupt the pacing, though.

Episode 1's explosive opening, plus the plot exposition dumps we thankfully receive through character conversations, which fill in the narrative gaps between seasons, season 3 hits the ground running. Sure, it might feel like we've skipped an episode, but I'm relieved that TWoT's latest chapter sacrifices the frustratingly slow and meandering start of its forebear in favor of faster-paced storytelling with perpetual forward momentum.

That much is clear in how quickly Rand, Moiraine, Egwene, Lan (Daniel Henney), and Aviendha (Ayoola Smart) journey to and arrive at the Aiel Waste. A vast and mysterious desert region that's steeped in history and home to the Aiel people (they call it the Three-Fold Land, FYI), its introduction in episode 2 is testament to propel the story into darker, narratively absorbing, and enigmatic territory.

Three episodes in, I'd argue this storyline is the most interesting so far in season 3. That might be down to the unmistakable parallels between this particular plot, and Frank Herbert's Dune book series and its live-action movie franchise – the pair of which I adore. After all, TWoT and Dune tell the tale of a prophesized messiah who reluctantly embraces their so-called destiny by traveling to an unknown land and unites its quarrelling factions. Stark comparisons between Rand and Paul Atreides notwithstanding, the Aiel Waste storyline is also full of compelling melodrama and fantastical revelations that'll please new and old fans alike.

The dark arts

That doesn't mean season 3 prioritizes one storyline over its brethren. Rand's arc is particularly important – you know, what with him being the Dragon Reborn and all – but, aware of its overreliance and favoring of some plots over others last season, TWoT's latest installment takes a proactive approach to managing the time it spends between its multiple narratives.

Whether it's Perrin's cathartic albeit life-threatening return to The Two Rivers, Nynaeve and Elayne's (Ceara Coveney) appointment as Siuan's 'hounds' to track down the Black Ajah and The One Power-infused relics they stole from The White Tower, or Matt battling his inner demons, season 3 skilfully maneuvers between its various storylines with confidence. That was something its forebear lacked, so I'm glad this season doesn't suffer from the same issue.

That said, I was vexed by season 3's penchant for dragging out problems that have affected certain characters since season 1's second half. Sure, only a month has elapsed in-universe, so it's understandable that traumatic events that impacted some heroes, such as Egwene's post-traumatic stress disorder from her Seanchan imprisonment and torture, and Matt's ongoing mental health issues, in season 2 would continue to afflict them.

However, plot threads like Nynaeve's ongoing struggles to channel the One Power are growing tiresome. True, this is dictated by the storylines and character arcs that comprise season 3, but it's frustrating that plot elements like this, which began in TWoT's first season, haven't been resolved yet, nor allow for much character evolution for individuals who sorely need it.

TWoT devotees are sure to be disgruntled by further deviations from what's depicted in Robert Jordan's beloved book series namesake as well.

Again, such diversions are determined by the story that showrunner Rafe Judkins wishes to tell. That'll be of scant consolation to fans of Jordan's literary works, though, who may bristle at changes like Matt not being part of Rand's Aiel Waste-bound party. However, some tweaks to the source materials, such as the budding romance between Elayne and Aviendha – an evolution of the close friendship they share in the novels – feels less intrusive.

The natural expansion of TWoT's world and the character that inhabit it in season 3 is handled with purposeful precision, too. The introduction of new locations like Tanchico, Rhuidean, and Andor upscale the size and scope of Amazon's adaptation. Meanwhile, the live-action debut of Andor's royal family – aka Elayne's relatives – and more of Lanfear's (Natasha O'Keeffe) fellow Forsaken, plus devoting of more screentime to characters with bit-part roles in season 2 like Aviendha and Siuan, raise the stakes and suggest I should be worried for more characters than just Rand and Moiraine this season.

My verdict

With The Wheel of Time season 3, Prime Video not only conjures up the show's best season yet, but also finally cements its position as one of the greatest Amazon TV Originals.

Like many of the characters that inhabit its world, it's a coming-of-age success story that proves TWoT has the style and substance – and, whisper it quietly, longevity – to go toe-to-toe with Amazon's Lord of the Rings prequel series.

It remains to be seen if a wider audience will be receptive to the Prime Video series' bleakest and most daunting season yet. After all, TWoT's future hinges on how its third chapter performs on one of the world's best streaming services. Based on the spellbinding effect that its three-episode premiere had on me, though, I'm confident it'll perform well enough to keep its storytelling wheel spinning for some time yet.

The Wheel of Time season 3 launches exclusively on Prime Video with a three-episode premiere on Thursday, March 13. New episodes air weekly.

Light spoilers follow for Invincible season 3 episodes 1 to 6.

Few superhero shows have been as consistently excellent in recent years as Invincible. The adult animated series has entertained and emotionally stunned Prime Video users – and occasionally made us wince with its extremely graphic violence – since its March 2020 debut. And, as long-time fans (myself included) of its source material will tell you, things will only escalate further as its story progresses.

Pleasingly, Invincible season 3 does a superheroic job of translating its source material's increasingly fraught narrative from page to screen. While lacking in a couple of key areas, the darkest chapter (so far, anyway) of Mark Grayson's story refines and builds on the narrative foundations laid by its predecessors with expert precision, and cements Invincible's position as a torchbearer of R-rated animated storytelling.

The hero within

Three months have passed since Mark (Steven Yeun) was warned that the Viltrum Empire was readying itself to invade and conquer Earth. Since then, the Amazon show's eponymous hero has been training under Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) and the Global Defence Agency to prepare for the forthcoming assault.

The best-laid plans often go awry, though, and Mark and Cecil soon find themselves at each other's throats – literally and figuratively. Long story short: when Mark finds out that Cecil has employed, rather than imprisoned, two mass murderers that Mark helped to stop in prior seasons, it leads to a complete breakdown of their working relationship.

Invincible season 3's first poster teased that this would happen, while Invincible 3's official trailer doubled down on this hugely significant plot point. It isn't until the latter half of episode 1 and large swathes of episode 2, though, that non-comic book readers will grasp the full extent of Cecil's perceived multifaceted betrayal of Mark, and the irreparable damage it does to their already uneasy alliance.

The fallout is so bitter, in fact, that it leads to a Captain America: Civil War-like splitting of the Guardians of the Globe (GotG), aka Earth's most famous superteam, with some of Mark's fellow heroes also walking away from the GotG and GDA over Cecil's apparent duplicity.

Those consequential moments, which play out with an increasingly captivating intensity, are just two instances of the thematically darker undercurrent woven into season 3.

With its visceral levels of ultraviolence and adult themes, Invincible was already a mature and oft-times disquieting take on the superhero formula. Season 3, though, ups the introspective ante by placing a greater emphasis on the battle waging within Mark than ever before. Indeed, one of the best Prime Video shows is no longer just about Mark continuing to grapple with who he is corporeally (i.e., the son of disgraced Viltrumite and near-Earth conqueror Omni-Man/Nolan Grayson (J.K. Simmons)). Now, it's also about planet Earth's most powerful hero struggling with who he has to be versus who he wants to be – or, given his inadvertent involvement in the wanton destruction of Chicago in the final episode of Invincible's first season among other tragic incidents in seasons 1 and 2, whether he's a hero at all.

It's a season- and character-defining theme that's similarly explored in a near-perfect adaptation of Cecil's backstory from the comics, which explains his understandable steadfastness and at times questionable choices as the GDA's uncompromising director. "You can be the good guy, or the guy who saves the world," Cecil's mentor tells him during the extensive flashback sequence – a quote that comparably applies to Mark as he persists in wrestling with his own interpretation of heroism, especially after he seemingly killed Angstrom Levy (the first person he's accidentally murdered, FYI) in Invincible season 2 part 2's finale.

Mark's self-examination extends to his tutorship of half-brother Oliver (Christian Convery). With Oliver's abilities manifesting early on in season 3, Mark is thrust into the role of Oliver's mentor-in-chief – an interesting juxtaposition on the student-teacher dynamic Mark shared with Nolan in season 1.

Oliver's black-and-white worldview and excitable nature (he's still a kid, after all), coupled with his desire to use his powers to save people by any means necessary, though, occasionally puts him at odds with Mark. The conflicts that arise from their opposing perspectives of what it means to be a hero become a fascinating part of what makes this season's primary narrative tick, and forces them to reconsider if their individual points of view are as valid as they first thought.

Away from the familial melodrama, Mark and Eve's 'will they, won't they' dynamic is also central to the duo's individual and collective arcs. Season 3 was in danger of following in its forebears' footsteps and dragging out this out – something that, even as a big fan of Invincible's source material, was starting to irritate me. Thankfully, season 3 stops laboring the point in its second episode, though I would've appreciated it if this had happened as part of an episode's main plot, rather than the afterthought-esque mid-credits scene it's allocated to. Still, the evolution of their romantic relationship throughout this season is an endearing and at-times light-hearted diversion from its weightier material.

Coloring in around the gray(son)

Key members of Invincible's extensive supporting cast roster also benefit from satisfying character development. Season 3 continues to highlight Rex Splode's (Jason Mantzoukas) growing maturity as a hero and individual, while Debbie's (Sandra Oh) recovery following Nolan's betrayal and Angstrom's brutal attack continues apace with heart-warming aplomb.

Elsewhere, Shrinking Rae (Grey DeLisle) is granted some long-overdue time in the spotlight with her own emotionally driven arc – one of numerous creative deviations from Invincible's literary works that remedy some of its outdated material and gratifyingly flesh out underused characters. Season 3's exploration of other characters' backstories, including a subplot centered around Dupli-Kate (Malese Jow) and twin brother – not to mention newly-introduced villain – Multi-Paul (Simu Liu), though, suggest that other Invincible one-off specials, such as the standalone chapter that laid bare Atom Eve's past, won't be made. That's a pity, too, because there are plenty of side characters with enough history and intrigue surrounding them to star in their own TV specials.

Nevertheless, the variety of subplots supplement season 3's core storyline to largely satisfying effect, especially ones that directly tie into Mark's moral quandry. Whether it's reintroducing old villains like Titan and Machine Head, dipping its toes into the multiverse once more, or setting up events ahead its final two episodes and already confirmed fourth installment, Invincible crams a lot into its latest eight-episode season, and it juggles them all with a deftness that its contemporaries have sometimes struggled to master.

That said, season 3 doesn't get everything right. For me, there are hugely significant moments that aren't as emotionally impactful in Amazon's TV adaptation as they are in the source material. The previously mentioned Mark and Eve storyline is one, but there are a couple of others, such as a massively important character-defining event for Oliver, which I won't spoil here for non-comic readers, that aren't as potent or don't carry the same weight as they do in the literature. Viewers may also be disappointed that the plot revolving around Nolan and Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen), who are fast becoming everyone's favorite superpowered odd-couple pairing, doesn't get much airtime, either.

Season 3 is found lacking in the primary villain department, too. This season, it can be argued that Mark's greatest foe is himself, particularly as he battles his inner demons and guilt, and comes to terms with the fact that any action he takes has grave consequences, either for himself or someone else. The ever-looming threat of the Viltrum Empire is all well and good, as is the tease of a returning enemy, whose reappearance will be a surprise development to anyone who hasn't read the graphic novels.

Where past seasons had Nolan and Angstrom, though, Invincible's latest chapter doesn't have its own Big Bad. The closest thing it has to a primary foe is Powerplex (Aaron Paul), a tortured soul/tragic villain seeking vengeance against Mark for – again – reasons I won't ruin ahead of time. What I will say is that Paul absolutely steals the show with a typically powerful performance that spans the emotional spectrum, and may help cement this season's sixth entry as one of the all-time great Invincible episodes. Anyway, with two more chapters to go before season 3 ends, I'm still hopeful that a monstrous foe, be that a Viltrumite warrior or someone else, will show up. After all, the roles of two of season 3's nine new cast members – Jonathan Banks and Doug Bradley – remain a mystery after its first six episodes...

My verdict

Invincible's third season secures the adult animated show's position as the best superhero series on television right now. It's as hyperviolent, action-packed, occasionally funny, and strikingly visual as before (its animation doesn't feel like it's evolved as much as it did between seasons 1 and 2, mind you). Above all else, though, it continues to be an incredibly compelling character drama – one that, with its skilful deconstruction of heroism, carries a greater emotional gravitas than previous seasons. If its final two episodes can stick the superhero landing, I'd suggest that Invincible season 3 is the Prime Video series' strongest installment yet.

Invincible season 3 launches with a three-episode premiere on February 6. New episodes air weekly until this season's finale on March 6.