Invincible has built its reputation on balancing brutal superhero action with layered character arcs, often pushing Mark Grayson into moral situations that challenge both his strength and his judgment. Across its run, the series has largely maintained a steady rhythm, blending high-stakes Viltrumite conflicts with personal dilemmas that keep viewers invested.

As the story expands and the show begins to experiment with new directions, even a single episode can stand out for better or worse when it shifts away from what audiences have come to expect. That shift becomes more noticeable when an episode breaks the show’s momentum and lands at an unexpected low point in audience response.

Invincible season 4, episode 4, Hurm, did not keep the streak going for the high rated series, though, as it has a 6.9/10 score on IMDb based on 11,000 user reviews at the time of writing, which is the show’s lowest rating yet for an episode. It takes the place of season 2, episode 2, In About Six Hours I Lose My Virginity to a Fish, which previously had the show’s lowest episode rating with a score of 7.2, and is now the second lowest for the series.

The contrast is clearer when looking at the ratings for the surrounding episodes. The premiere, Making the World a Better Place, holds an 8.3/10, setting a strong foundation by re-establishing the post–Season 3 status quo and delivering a mix of character focus and action that audiences responded well to.

Episode 3, Gotta Get Some Air, follows with an 8.2/10, continuing that steady momentum with a more character-driven approach while maintaining overall audience approval. Against this consistent performance, episode 4’s 6.9/10 stands out as a noticeable drop, breaking the pattern established by the season’s opening and early build-up.

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Part of that divide comes from a bold narrative choice that pushes Invincible into entirely new territory.

Invincible Season 4, Episode 4  features a brand-new storyline that never appeared in Robert Kirkman’s original Invincible comics. The episode takes Mark Grayson into a Hell-based storyline involving Damien Darkblood, Volcanikka, and an expanded mythology around Satan and the Underrealm. Instead of continuing the central Viltrumite-driven narrative, the episode introduces new lore, demon hierarchies, and internal conflicts that reshape how this part of the universe is presented. These additions give the episode a distinct identity, separate from the comic’s established events.

In a GamesRadar+ interview, creator Robert Kirkman explained how the series has intentionally paced its biggest narrative payoffs, focusing first on character development before escalating larger conflicts:

“There's this Viltrumite subplot that's been running through all the seasons that pays off in some really huge ways [this year]. ... It's been drips and drabs in the show thus far because it's not the focus. The focus was establishing Mark and building Mark as a character and showing what's going on on Earth. But this season is different. This season, people are finally going to get what they're asking for,” he said.

While the new direction allows for creative freedom and deeper world-building, it also marks a significant departure from the source material. This shift has led to mixed reactions, with some viewers embracing the fresh approach and others questioning how it fits within the season’s broader narrative arc.

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What do you think of Invincible Season 4 Episode 4 getting lower ratings? Let us know in the comments!