Well, the first season finale of the DCEU‘s Peacemaker is here. Peacemaker 1×08 signals the end of the team’s work on Operation Butterfly to stop an alien takeover and perhaps the resolution of the title character’s growth from villain to hero. Or at least a stop along the way. Surprises are also to be expected—big ones. Let’s discuss how the story wraps up in “It’s Cow or Never” and maybe what the future of these characters might hold.
“Don’t f-ck with my BFF!”
The thing that now stands out about this show more than anything else is the way the writing creates a rhythm between Peacemaker (John Cena) and the people he’s working with. Their funny repartee created a camaraderie that has now built into friendship. When they reach the final confrontation with the butterflies, the viewer can tell they trust each other. This is true even in hostile moments. And that’s a long way from where they were when the season began.
One example that illustrates this well in Peacemaker 1×08 when Economos (Steve Agee) must pretend to be a butterfly in order to plant the explosive that will destroy the aliens’ only food source. One of them questions him about the unusual color pattern of his beard. Since Peacemaker has mocked him about this all season, this is funny. But then Economos gets serious, admitting that he did dye his beard but stopped, partly because he thought no one noticed. But then someone did. It’s the perfect touch of heart among the bonkers violence and adult language.
“I was made for this sh-t.”
Just as significant as the progress of the team is that of individual characters. Leota’s (Danielle Brooks) acceptance of her abilities and worth to the team, as well as her efforts to separate herself from her mother’s dominance, is an arc that comes to fruition in Peacemaker 1×08 She takes an integral part in the defeat of the butterflies. This is an excellently choreographed and shot battle scene, and Leota’s successful gunplay is remarkable when she didn’t even like firing a gun at the beginning of the season.
Obviously, Chris Smith, better known as Peacemaker, is the character who has been given the most focus to change for the better. After seeing the relationship between him and his father, the audience understands why he was the way he was. They have also seen how the team he works with now has helped him mature and improve. “It’s Cow or Never” makes it clear that the image of his father will always be with him, but Peacemaker is a different man than the one we met in The Suicide Squad or even in the first episode of this series.
“Warn Somebody”
The prospect of this team working together again looms large, now that the show has been renewed for season 2. It’s a welcome one, as is the opportunity for Peacemaker to continue his growth. An unforgettable cameo near the end of this episode also prompts fun speculation about how the larger DCEU could come into play in the future of Peacemaker’s wild world.
I have no doubt that this group will have further adventures together. Will that sanitize Peacemaker’s filthy mouth and gratuitous gore? I highly doubt it! And we wouldn’t have this show any other way.
Peacemaker is streaming on HBO Max.
