I think you got most of it right, Ms. Danson. Excelsior reminds me of nothing more than a teenager made the most powerful man on Earth. Especially when confronted by a man like Edwin, who doesn’t care and isn’t afraid of him in the least. He’s flustered, and desperately trying to get his revenge on Edwin. Hurting Edwin won’t help, so he’s trying to find another way (like fighting Edwin’s supposed henchman).

Because that’s what Excelsior, at the end of the day, wants. He wants power, he wants it now, and he wants it with the mind of a teenager, even if he doesn’t understand exactly what he wants.. Edwin won’t let Excelsior have power over him, unlike everyone but Gus, and Excelsior doesn’t quite know how to cope with that. So, everything, I think from roughly the start of the game, has been about bringing Edwin under his power, in one way or another. At least, that’s my take on his character’s subconscious motives; I could just be pulling it out of nowhere, as usual. Yes, this came as a mid-rewriting revelation, which is why it’s so out of place.

Now, my own personal impressions of the episode. I love how calmly Edwin takes everything that happens, and how it contrasts with Topper. Even when he’s considering that he might die. Usually, scenes like this generate introspection, soul-searching. Edwin thinks about never going back to the city.

One thing I have to question is how Topper has any concept of “absurd”. He lives in a universe of supers.

*crosses fingers* Please don’t die this time Agnes.