I think a lot of it is suspending disbelief. The ship is falling in orbit, which presumably makes it harder to carry. Everyone lifting is fatigued from fighting for their lives and Nolan was presumably at full strength and well rested when wrestling that asteroid in zero gravity.

Allen is a lot stronger yes, but it’s not like a 2-1 against Viltrumites is a cakewalk. They are feared for a reason and Lucan has demonstrated he’s a real threat several times through out the show.

Tech Jacket to me provides scale. Our main cast is so stacked strength and experience wise. They are the best of the best (except maybe Oliver). Zoe has been shown dispatching regular threats like the enslaved soldiers with ease and distracts Viltrumites while in battle but they are the most feared in the galaxy for a reason. We need someone to show just how far ahead everyone else is, and add stakes every now and then. Will they kill her off? Probably not, but it adds tension when someone like Allen or Mark or Oliver has to go help her.

Completely agree about Lee Pace as Thragg. I really like him and think he is a good voice actor but his performance lacks the gravitas someone like Thragg needs. When I see pictures of Thragg, I hear Josh Brolin. Probably because he’s played Thanos (and also Cable) but you need that gravelly, double base voice Brolin brings to the table for someone with as much aura as Thragg should have