Doom Patrol swings between contemplative, absurdly silly, and heart-breaking in Episode 203, “Tyme Patrol.” Somehow it all works:
With the team back to normal size, they continue to contemplate their futures with — or most likely without — the Chief. Cyborg takes off on his own as soon as he can, and we see him visiting a trauma support group. It’s a humbling experience for Vic as he is made to turn off his Cyborg side while he listens to others share their stories. He gets to know one of the members after the meeting. When they leave, someone attempts to mug his new friend, but as a war veteran, she handles it easily. They have a quick conversation about whether the cops should be involved, and Vic eventually sees things her way and lets the would-be thief go. As he gets out from under his father’s shadow, some cracks are showing in Vic’s lawful good demeanor.
Now that Vic is on his own, he can finally see a side of the world he never could before. The show continues to do a wonderful job with Cyborg’s character.
Given Vic’s serious story, the writers decided to make the rest of the episode ridiculous. The Chief has given away the only thing that kept him alive for this long, and now must find a new way to keep Dorothy happy and safe for the good of all people, lest her imaginary friends pose an apocalyptic threat. With the reluctant help of Rita, Cliff and Jane, he creates a plan to send the trio to a place outside the time-space continuum to steal a rare time-altering materiel from a man name Dr. Tyme. When they get there, they discover that his realm is a roller disco party attended by famous figures from history.
As expected, all hell breaks lose. During the commotion, Dr. Tyme explains why August 20th, 1980 is the absolute peak of human civilization, and it strangely convincing. There’s a lot of action and violence happening, but the comedy hits hardest of all.
Anyway, the Doom Patrol fail to get the material they need and are forced out of the time capsule. With the Chief looking older from scene to scene, his quest to find the key to immortality is growing ever more desperate. Maybe he can use one of his failed experiments, or the Doom Patrol themselves, to buy some time.
Finally, we have Larry attending his son Gary’s funeral, which is a cold snap back to reality. His other son invites him to a gathering at Gary’s home, but Larry’s grief and anxiety force him to back out at the last moment.
That’s when the negative spirit within prompts him to look around the barn on the property. Larry learns about the life Gary lived, a life spent looking for his father. While rummaging through Gary’s things, Larry finds hundred of letters written by his son as a child, asking where his father had gone and wondering when he’d be back. The scene is absolutely heart-wrenching, and another example of how even when covered in wrapping head to toe, Matt Bomer can give the character of Larry Trainor true depth.
The tonal changes on this show may be too drastic for some, but the pacing, writing and acting continue to carry the day. The fact that one can cry, laugh and contemplate deep societal issues within the same episode, all while following the plot, is very impressive.
Grade: A
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