Is James Gunn just screwing with us now? In regards to the ever confusing answer to what exactly is cannon concerning the thriving DCU and the late, lamented DCEU, the honcho of all movie things Detective Comics has decided to throw us another curve ball just after we thought we’d gotten the hang of things. Retconning out the Justice League in favour of the Justice Gang from Superman was a bold, but helpful choice, but as we go into episode 3, Gunn nails is with a cameo that may be extremely welcome, but also instantly muddies those previously clearing waters.
So without any further ado, it’s time to welcome back Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag who pops up both in a pre-The Suicide Squad flashback and as an alternate self in that other dimension Peacemaker keeps frequenting. Still, while all this speculation is a magnificent example of first world problems, it does tend to draw focus from a rather sedate episode.
After the epic drinking session the 11th Street Kids had to signify their reunion, the next morning sees everyone trying to piece themselves back together through the maelstrom of multiple hangovers. However, while Economos tries to pick through yet another of Adrian’s hyperbolic boasts that he knows so much about spiders (he doesn’t even know they have eight eyes) and Adebayo attempts to crack Harcourt’s steely veneer concerning her feelings for Chris, a spurned Chris himself has once again retreated back to the other universe in a desperate, drunk attempt to try and spark up a relationship with a Harcourt from another universe. While I could fill up the entirety of this review with reasons why this is a hideously bad idea, the fact that the other (deceased) Peacemaker was once already in a relationship with her makes things a little easier and they agree to meet on neutral ground. However, this throws Harcourt’s current boyfriend, Rick Flag, into something of a paranoid panic and makes Chris feel incredibly uncomfortable seeing as he murdered his universe’s Flag during the chaotic Project Starfish.
Still, aside from some social awkwardness, it seems that this universe is the best timeline ever. Not only is Peacemaker a respected hero here and has the love of his still living father and brother, but he has a fucking sick motorcycle and seemingly has a shot with this version of Harcourt too. In fact, his standing goes even higher when he thwarts an attack from the terrorist group known as the Sons Of Liberty who a trying to blow up the local DMV.
Meanwhile, in Chris’ original universe, Eagly’s attack on the ARGUS team looking in to the power surges coming from Peacemaker’s house mean that some heavy hitters have been called in. Renowned eagle hunter Red St. Wild has been brought in to take care of the bird, while Rip Jagger, aka. old foe Judomaster has also been enlisted to kick some feathery ass.
I truly appreciate James Gunn’s continuing efforts to temper his more extreme impulses by placing genuine, heartfelt drama within his crazy, epic adventures. It helps to ground matters that such chaotic misfits are suffering such relatable and harrowing emotions and will go to such desperate extremes to try and make their world better, but I will admit, it’s making Peacemaker Season 2 feel like it’s starting to plateau a bit. Now, that’s not to say that Another Rick Up My Sleeve is poorly constructed or lacking in legitimate emotion because both Gunn, John Cena and Jennifer Holland all do great work. However, it’s all starting to feel like a very subtle build-up to some type of super shocking twist.
You just know that this new reality that Peacemaker has excitedly christened “Best. Universe. Ever.” is going to come with some massive con points, but for now, Gunn is content to take his time to make his supremely flawed hero fall deeply in love with this alt-reality to really stick the knife in when the time is right. The problem is, we all know everything is going to eventually go biblically tits up sooner or later, so this calm before the storm can’t help but feel a teensy bit like filler despite all the good character work that’s carried out here. In fact, only Gunn could use a chronically depressed superhero discovering a gateway to another world and having it be an excuse to shoot the most normal conversations about relationships he’s ever done. While both Cena and Holland have been alternating between emotional breakouts and violent outbursts for most of their DC tenure, watching them both play vulnerable and hopeful is truly a nice change of pace and gives both ample opportunities to stretch their range.
Similarly, the return of Joel Kinnaman not only reveals that he was having an affair with Harcourt prior to The Suicide Squad (it’s the mention of the Enchantress which confused continuity for me), but the still-living Flag from the other dimension seems to be as jittery and uncertain of himself as Chris tends to be now. However, during the conversation with the alternate, softer Harcourt, we start to pick up little, worrying details about what type of person her Chris actually was. Not only was he prone to popping pills and disappearing, we also found out that he was fucking around on Harcourt behind her back, and that sense that somethings up with the universe in general gets even more profound when Peacemaker has to deal with a terrorist group that counterintuitively call themselves the Sons Of Liberty. While I’m not going to speculate on what the issues may be, cast an eye over the crowds and tell me if you see what I see.
Meanwhile, back in the non-multiverse plotlines, everyone seems to be spinning their wheels in preparation for the gnarly shit that’s undoubtedly due to come. Literally everyone spends the episode talking through their issues and writhing in the grip of a hangover, but precious little else, which adds even more to the feeling of the show kind of running in place. Yes, Adrian’s continued weirdness is fun and Adebayo’s much needed level-headedness is vital, but the only character who seems to be building any momentum at the moment is Eagly. That’s right; Peacemaker’s animal sidekick has scored a subplot of his very own after righteously fucking up an entire ARGUS team on his own as a counter-team has been assembled to take him down. The return of the Cheetos guzzling Judomaster is one thing, but we also get the welcome introduction of James Gunn regular Michael Rooker as grizzled eagle hunter Red St. Wild who dresses like Willie Nelson and really likes killing eagles for some reason.
While the show is still aiming for a massive twist, the groundwork for it has consumed the pacing a bit and while the prospect of Eagly being given his own, separate thread is massively enticing, we’re going to have to wait another week to reap the rewards. I’ve no doubt that Gunn will pay this all off with interest, but for this episode at least, Peacemaker is just that little bit too peaceful.
🌟🌟🌟
We Have Issues 