The season finale of DC's Peacemaker has arrived at long last. It was the direct follow-up to Superman and was promised by James Gunn to be a big piece of the Detective Comics Cinematic Universe going forward. Did it live up to expectations? Was it better than season 1, or was it just Gunn hyping up his baby?
All things considered, I thoroughly enjoyed the last episode of the season. Character wise, it did everything right or the best it could. We got many scenes of closure and acceptance, which were underlying themes of this chapter. However, we don't get a "final battle" like with season 1 against the "Cow." Rather, we're left with a huge cliffhanger, which I would applaud if it weren't for the official clarification from Gunn that, as of right now, season 3 isn't happening. Peacemaker's core characters, and therefore their story, lore, and stakes, will transfer to other, bigger projects. Of course, as a die-hard fan, I'll follow along. However, this sort of ruins the charming, relatively self-contained nature of Peacemaker. If it were never supposed to be that way, then that's fair, and I'll be excited to see where it goes. Still, the first season was a perfect example of niche DC characters having their own "world" in the DCU.
The same family-driven audience from Superman may not transfer over to adult shows like Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, and Creature Commandos. These are fun, but I don't see the point in putting so much weight on niche characters with R-rated thresholds in an interconnected universe with lots of PG-13 projects.
Expecting fans of one show to tune into another, with a new cast, theme, aesthetic, etc, sounds risky. You're sure to attract the fans who'll watch it all for the heroes, villains, and their lore, but casuals will be more confused than ever and reluctant to do homework.
Peacemaker season 2, episode 8 recap
Let's go over some key beats in no meaningful order. FULL SPOILERS ahead for the season finale of Peacemaker.
After the traumatic events in episode 7, where Chris's father (a better version) died in front of him (again), including his brother (to Chris's false assumption), he's convinced that he's an "angel of death." A cursed man destined to see his friends and family killed by him. The 11th Streets Kids, notably Leota (Danielle Brooks), share just how much he means to them, and that the deaths he sees are caused when he listens to people or desires that he shouldn't have. His abusive father, the corrupt government, the temptation to live in another world—all were deadly masters that enslaved the 'hero' Peacemaker, and the man, Chris Smith (John Cena), into doing regretful things. It's time he breaks free from the chains of the past and define himself by his actions of the present.
Leota finishes her side-arc with her ex-wife. They had a complicated misunderstanding as to what they wanted out of life. Leota came to accept that her dream was to do cool spy stuff, and that would endanger Keeya's life. On the other side, if Leota settled down and started a health-conscious pet shop with Keeya, Leota would feel "trapped." She craves adventure, danger and has the heart of a hero to make the world a better place. Not to downplay the idea of an organic pet shop, it's a neat idea, but Leota doesn't belong there. She found her calling helping Chris fight aliens and Nazis. All in all, for an arc that didn't get the most attention, the scene was incredibly well-done, cathertic, and offered a feeling of closure for two. Now, Leota is free to pursue hero-agent work to the fullest.
The 11th Street Kids, along with Adrian (Freddie Stroma), Sasha (Sol RodrĂguez), Rip (Nhut Le), and, to my surprise, Langston (Tim Meadows), start some sort of firm called Checkmate. Essentially, it's a new team in the DCU, inspired by the comics. It's a spy organization that operates independently from the government. An indie agency, you could say, made up of barely legal vigilantes and ex-agents. Could this be its own HBO Original show or movie in the future?
It's time to talk about Rick Flag, Sr. (Frank Grillo), and his motivations regarding the QUC. As it turns out, he wasn't worried about causing another Metropolis event. Rick wanted to realize his ultimate authoritarian vision, and that's turning a remote universe designated "Salvation" into a prison. Basically, the Pruned Universe in the MCU, or Australia. If Rick gets his way, then meta-humans, convicted fairly or not, could end up stranded on a lawless, wild, and deadly universe. Is this "just?" I see this opening many fascinating discussions, if they go into it. I mean, no one would have a problem dumping a monster or two there, right? Sending dangerous people there would count as banishment, but would it be humane instead of rehabilitation? Likely not.
Despite being free, Chris is kidnapped by an ARGUS task force, and thrown into Salvation against his will. His signature has been forged to stage a "voluntary" exodus. Rick, officially, does not care about nabbing Peacemaker through legal channels for his revenge. He pulled strings and abused his power as director. Chris tries to escape, but the door is closed, and thus dematerializes in the strange realm. He's all alone, and unknown creatures bellow from the forests that surround him.
Verdict
"Full Nelson" was a great episode, but it hardly landed as a "season finale" to me, let alone a series finale, as this will be the final season for the foreseeable future. There are tons of Easter eggs and teases for the future, which is always fun. However, ironically, for a season about closure and getting answers, we're left with no closure on the QUC plot. We'll have to wait for which series or movie is announced next to continue a story that could've been wrapped up with another episode or season.