James Gunn Finally Confirms Game-Changing DC Theory
Warning! This review contains SPOILERS for Peacemaker season 2, episode 4.Peacemaker season 2’s latest episode is my least favorite of the show so far, but it is still a solid entry for the DC Universe series, proving just how high the level the show is operating on is. Last week, Peacemaker season 2, episode 3, brought back one of my favorite characters from the controversial DCEU movie franchise: Rick Flag.
It was great to see Joel Kinnaman return to the role and play two different versions of the character, both in a flashback and in Peacemaker‘s alternate dimension. I was disappointed he didn’t come back for episode 4, but I’m sure we will have time for more Rick Flag later in season 2. After all, Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. has yet to learn about the alternate universe version of his son.
But a huge part of why episode 4 is less exciting is due to how it is a setup entry for the series, connecting to Peacemaker’s episode 3 decision.
Peacemaker’s New Episode Is All About Tying Up Loose Ends
Peacemaker smiling and wearing his helmet in Alt Reality Peacemaker Season 2
At the end of episode 3, Peacemaker decides to go back to his home dimension. While he didn’t particularly want to stay there, he made a promise to the other world’s Emilia Harcourt that he would put some real thought into their relationship and what he wanted out of life before they tried being together. I am conflicted by this.
While I liked his dynamic with the alternate universe Harcourt, I can’t help but hope that the DCU version of Jennifer Holland’s character will change her mind about him. Sadly, episode 4 does not move in that direction. Instead, it sets up a way for Harcourt to betray Chris. It all ties to Rick Flag Sr. and Harcourt being blackbooked by Amanda Waller.
Meeting Harcourt is far from the only loose end Peacemaker has to deal with during his return home.
If she helps him capture Peacemaker, Flag will pull the strings to get Harcourt working again. With Peacemaker coming back to his dimension, solving whatever stands between him and Harcourt is the most important step before he can decide on being with her alternate universe version or not. Based on her decision, it is not looking good.
Meeting Harcourt is far from the only loose end Peacemaker has to deal with during his return home. With ARGUS arriving just as Chris got home, I was interested in how that would play out. While a full-on fight was avoided thanks to John Economos’ message, we still got a hilarious fight sequence between Peacemaker and Judomaster.
Red St. Wild aiming his gun at Eagly had me scared for a beat, but I was glad to see that Economos is willing to risk himself to save his friends, including Peacemaker’s pet eagle. These action sequences are the most exciting of the hour. Overall, the episode should have felt more urgent.
DC Answers A Question I Had Since Peacemaker Season 1
John Cena’s Chris Smith reminisces in Auggie Smith’s trophy room in Peacemaker season 2
Peacemaker has done a great job of paying off plot points, and episode 4 finally confirms something I suspected since season 1. While Auggie was shown to be a deranged villain, I never bought that he was smart enough to come up with something so intricate as the Quantum Unfolding Chamber.
Well, it’s great to have that confirmed, with Peacemaker season 2 revealing Auggie killed an alien and took the portal for himself. By doing this, Peacemaker further deconstructs the image of Auggie as a major villain, making him look even more of a pathetic character who just incited hate and violence.
While episode 4 is not the most thrilling of Peacemaker season 2, it lays the groundwork for next week’s entry to pick up the pace again.
By the end of the hour, the show successfully managed to make me feel more for John Cena’s Peacemaker. I’m invested in the emotional fallout that could come from Harcourt’s decision to turn him in. While episode 4 is not the most thrilling of Peacemaker season 2, it lays the groundwork for next week’s entry to pick up the pace again.
That said, it is clear that season 2 is more introspective than season 1. Sure, there have been over-the-top moments. However, the DC series’ focus is on its characters and their relationships. Episode 4 explores Peacemaker’s mixed feelings about the show’s two universes and the very different lives he could live. Chris has to choose, and episode 5 can’t come soon enough.
New episodes of Peacemaker season 2 release every Thursday at 9pm ET on HBO Max.
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