Abhiroop Das
Co-created by Simon Kinberg and David Weil, Apple TV+’s ‘Invasion’ explores the human reactions that would follow an extraterrestrial invasion of Earth. The series achieves this by tapping into the perspectives of several characters from around the world, primarily focusing on Trevante Cole, Aneesha Malik, and Mitsuki Yamato. The three characters develop a deep connection with the aliens over time, with some even gaining the ability to psychically communicate with these lifeforms. However, this only births more questions than it answers, and before long, humanity finds itself sinking deeper and deeper into chaos. Such circumstances are bound to create various figures with their own motivations. Infinitas, a political activist and whistleblower, adds a unique twist to the narrative, challenging all of its fundamentals in one go. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Infinitas is a Political Activist Who Tries to Alert the World About an Alien Resurgence
Infinitas is introduced into the story as an elusive figure who operates a large underground network of political activism, specifically targeting the World Defense Coalition’s attempts to cover up any and all news about aliens. Infinitas’s group comes into the forefront following Trevante Cole’s return after two years, which in turn opens up Pandora’s box about extraterrestrial threats. Following his escape from the WDC along with Jamila, Trevante makes his way to Aneesha’s residence. As it turns out, in the years following the invasion attempt, she has settled back into a life of peace with former cult leader Clark and their children. However, Trevante’s return forces them to dig through their traumatic past once again, and this leads to some uncomfortable revelations, all pointing towards Infinitas.
Although Clark left a life of activism and adventure behind, he secretly keeps tabs on Infinitas and the global network of theorists dedicated to bringing the truth about aliens to light. He then provides Trevante with this information, guiding him to an Infinitas convention that becomes ground zero for all their fans and collaborators. While Trevante and Aneesha’s initial search for the mysterious leader turns out to be futile, shortly after the convention, the aliens unleash a full-throttle attack, and the public goes into disarray. In this process, Clark’s paths cross with those of a sick woman who is currently being detained by law enforcement. Following an allergic reaction, the woman’s son immediately moves her into an ambulance, with Aneesha tagging along due to her medical background. However, this turns out to be a plan for escape, with the woman being none other than Infinitas herself.
Infinitas’s real name is revealed to be Marylin Tanner, which comes as a surprise to Aneesha and her family, given that most popular theories claimed that the activist was a man. However, this detail does not change the inner workings of her operations, as Infinitas’s cunning and ambition both come into display during her escape stunt. The activist shows her willingness to risk her life, tolerating an allergic reaction despite having an EPIPen at hand. Nonetheless, the episode also adds an emotional edge to her character, as she expresses a mix of surprise and regret at having embroiled Aneesha and her near and dear ones in the fray. Nonetheless, with their combined experience in dealing with the aliens, the duo is likely to team up and launch a counterattack of their own. This thread of the story is also bound to intersect with Trevante and Mitsuki, creating more room for dramatic tensions.
Infinitas AKA Marylin Tanner is Brought to Life by Erika Alexander
Infinitas’s presence in ‘Invasion’ comes with a unique blend of haze and laser-sharp clarity, as she slips in and out of the narrative while carving out her own space. This sophisticated presence can easily turn out to be a challenge for any performer, but Erika Alexander elevates the character to another level. The actor is an expert in her craft, having featured in landmark television shows such as ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘Going to Extremes,’ where she essays the roles of Pam Tucker and Cheryl Carter, respectively. She is perhaps best known for ‘Living Single’, where she plays Maxine Felice Shaw. This role established her as a household name, which in turn led to her appearance in shows such as ‘Bosch,’ ‘Street Time,’ and ‘Heist.’ Alongside these, she has also appeared in movies such as ‘Get Out’ and ‘Deja Vu,’ where she portrays Detective Latoya and Shanti, respectively.
In an interview with ABC News, Erika Alexander provided more insight into her character’s motivations and the larger framework she finds herself in. She revealed that the character is in mourning, and she is forced to confront the realm of the extraterrestrial by taking some drastic leaps of her own. Erika was reportedly approached directly for the role by co-creator Simon Kinberg. In the conversation, she also expressed her desire to see the larger messages of the show and how they could resonate with her audience. She stated: “You have got a lot of things going on with apex aliens (…) but it is also a human story, so I am hoping people see something that they can bliss out a bit, but also ground themselves about… the future.” As such, her presence expands the scope of the narrative by tapping into a unique perspective on the titular invasion.
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