Invincible (show and comics)

Bit late to the game, but really had to say this.

I was on board with the Nolan redemption this season, up until this episode.

Nolan killed thousands of people. Levelled a city. Called Debbie his pet. Left the planet and had a child with another woman, then dumped the child with her to raise.

Debbie owes Nolan nothing, and the scene of him telling her off for not forgiving him is just SO abusive. In that scene, Nolan was being a manipulative asshole. If he was really remorseful, Debbie’s forgiveness would be on her terms. Instead he continues to put himself in her way, figuratively and literally, and tells her that she will forgive him because he knows best.

Having experienced coercive control in relationships, I lost any respect that Nolan had clawed back this season. Cecil is right, Earth is not Nolan’s therapy couch.

Rest of the episode was really hard to watch after that scene. Nolan kept acting like an indignant child because people on Earth didn’t appreciate that he looks sad sometimes when he thinks about all the murders he did.

But the show is already pushing Debbie back into the arms of her abuser (again literally when she goes to the ship). They already split her up from Paul off screen, who then insinuates that she belongs in Nolan’s world. And I’m sure his inevitable noble sacrifice at the conclusion will make a hero of the abuser who demanded forgiveness from his victims to the bitter end. Disgusting.