After the discourse that Superman ignited, James Gunn furthers his political commentary with the release of Season 2 of Peacemaker.
Season 1 ended with the 11th Street Kids saving the world from alien butterflies. Season 2 opens up with the team separated and struggling with their lives afterwards. The main conflict begins when Christopher Smith, or “Peacemaker,” played by John Cena, finds a portal to another dimension in his father’s basement.
The other dimension is Earth X, an alternate dimension where the Nazis won World War II. It is also a world where Peacemaker’s father and brother are alive and in a celebrated hero team with him; it is a world where Emilia Harcourt, played by Jennifer Holland, reciprocates his feelings.
Peacemaker, in his excitement, does not notice anything off with the universe. This is later addressed by some of the characters, who are unimpressed with his ignorance. Metaphorically, Peacemaker’s inability to recognize clear signs of trouble is an interesting way to portray how privilege and upbringing can sometimes blindside people.
Cena does a brilliant job portraying Smith’s vulnerability and self-hatred with subtlety. His vulnerability, paired with Holland’s angry, stoic character, makes for an amazing dynamic to watch.
Unfortunately, the villains of the season, Rick Flag Sr and Sasha Bordeaux (played by Frank Grillo and Sol Rodríguez) feel more dynamic than the heroes do. The only main character who gets meaningful development is Peacemaker. It feels like the others are only there to play his therapist.
Similarly, it feels as though no plot point is properly resolved, with every “resolution” only feeling like a stepping stone for another season.
Season 2’s comedy also falls short, though it isn’t horrible. The action scenes in this season, meanwhile, do not have the same eyecatching choreography as the show did previously.
While Peacemaker Season 2 falls short compared to its first season, James Gunn builds suspense for future projects through clever easter eggs and the cliffhanger that has fans excited for more.
