While I stopped expecting consistency with Invincible's power levels long ago, these sudden bursts of strength that viltrumites pull off only when it's convenient for the story just never sit right with me. If Conquest can karate chop Mark's chest in a single strike, what stopped him from doing something as brutal during the whole time he was being choked? Why didn't he do the same with Mark's arms and cut them in half to break the grip on his neck instead of pulling his guts out indefinitely?

If this is another case of Conquest toying with his food, I really don't think the narrative made it clear. The entire time he really seemed like he was struggling and simply unable to get Mark off him, but then he kinda proves that wrong when a single attack can deal such devastating damage even though he was pretty messed up by that point.

I guess the fact Conquest never gets to speak during the whole scene makes it impossible to tell whether he was taking Mark seriously from the start or he began to use his full strength too late, but the fact so many fights feel like a character is fighting the plot instead of their opponent is one of the things I enjoy the least about the show. That being said, the scene itself was brilliantly done and it made me uncomfortable in ways I hadn't felt in a long time while watching animation. One of the best episodes by far.

So... why didn't Conquest do this from the start?