Buckle up, fans – Peacemaker Season 2's finale delivers a rollercoaster of emotions, nailing one epic romance while leaving the rest of the story feeling a tad unfinished and frustrating. But here's where it gets controversial: is this uneven wrap-up a bold setup for bigger things, or just a missed opportunity that leaves viewers scratching their heads? Dive in with me as we unpack the highs, lows, and everything in between from 'Full Nelson,' the season's longest episode at a whopping 58 minutes.
After a season packed with laughs, heart, and some serious tonal swings that kept the pacing all over the map, James Gunn's Peacemaker Season 2 wraps up with what might be its weakest installment. Sure, 'Full Nelson' – the eighth and final episode – ties up the major character arcs, but it really only hits the mark for one of them: the evolving dynamic between Chris Smith (Peacemaker, played by the ever-charismatic John Cena) and Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland). The rest? From Rick Flag Sr.'s hidden agenda to Adebayo's personal life and career struggles, and even that wild Nazi alternate world (you know, the one fans are still buzzing about on the internet, debating if it's truly the 'best dimension ever' as some speculate) – these threads get brushed aside despite the episode's generous runtime. And don't get me started on the hype about this season paving the way for the Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. Well, it sort of does, but only in a vague, 'we'll see' kind of way that leaves you wondering if the setup was as solid as promised.
Let's talk positives first, because there are some real gems here. John Cena and Jennifer Holland have been absolute standouts throughout the season, and their Moonlighting-esque 'will they or won't they' romance finally reaches a satisfying climax. Gunn, who penned the entire season and returned to helm the finale, takes us back to that infamous 'night on the boat' we've been teased about for weeks. Picture this: Chris and Harcourt, drowning their sorrows in booze over her job woes, stumbling into a 'rock cruise' concert by the '90s band Nelson. It's pure James Gunn magic – weaving in pop culture references to create authentic, heartfelt connections in the most unexpected settings. The actors nail the growth these characters have shown since their first awkward encounters, and it's even sweeter when we learn the 'night' wasn't a fleeting fling. Nope, it was a simple kiss, a meaningful glance, and a spark that felt genuine. Way more impactful than some random hookup, right?
I also adored the scene where Harcourt's about to unleash on some random guy outside Big Belly Burger, only for Chris to intervene with his wide-eyed wonder at the moon and stars. It perfectly captures why she might fall for this big-hearted goofball. And later, when Chris is at rock bottom, convinced he's cursed by all the chaos around him, the 11th Street Kids use that same optimistic vibe to pull him out. Ads (Danielle Brooks) declares, 'I believe in miracles because of you. I saw an eagle hug a human!' – and it's not just funny; it's a touching reminder of their deep bond. But it all circles back to Chris and Harcourt, with her finally confessing that the boat night 'meant everything.' For beginners diving into the DC Universe (DCU), think of this as a superhero show with heart: these characters aren't just fighting villains; they're dealing with real emotions, like regret, connection, and redemption.
And this is the part most people miss – or maybe just gloss over – because the rest of the episode doesn't hold up as well. Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. comes off as a total mess here. Did I blink and miss a key scene? Why is he chilling at Lex Luthor's old base, laughing it up with the crew, while his A.R.G.U.S. team is getting mauled in bizarre dimensions like Candyland? (For context, the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, or QUC, is this show's wild multiverse gadget that sends folks to alternate realities – cool in theory, but we saw way too much of it in the trailers.) Rick Sr. harbors a grudge against Peacemaker for killing his son, which makes sense, but his shift from a decent guy in Creature Commandos to a neutral force in Superman, and now a full-blown antagonist? It's jarring. I love Grillo's performance, but buying into this villainous turn feels like a stretch. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Rick Sr.'s plan to imprison metahumans on that otherworldly prison planet (inspired by Salvation from the comics) a smart, pragmatic move, or a slippery slope toward tyranny? He teams up with Lex's old cronies, admitting he dislikes the billionaire but sees him as the 'smartest man alive' – why not tap that genius to 'make the world a better place'? It's a thought-provoking twist that ties into the Man of Tomorrow movie, setting up potential conflicts with superheroes.
Then there's the brief but poignant moment between Ads and her wife Keeya (Elizabeth Faith Ludlow), handled well by the actors, yet it feels rushed. Their marital and professional issues deserved more breathing room across the eight episodes. Freddie Stroma's Vigilante and Steve Agee’s John Economos? They shine in fun spots, but as part of this ensemble, they needed more spotlight. Remember, this is primarily John Cena's show, but a strong supporting cast craves equal attention to truly shine.
On a lighter note, the flashback to Foxy Shazam rocking the season's title track during that Nelson cruise is a blast, intercut with a montage forming Checkmate – their new covert spy organization. But wait, and this is the part most people miss: How did they decide to launch this group out of nowhere? It pops up during their pep talk to Chris, but the buildup feels thin. We skip the Nazi planet entirely and miss David Denman's Keith Smith, leaving that storyline dangling. It's disappointing, especially with no grand action sequence to cap things off. Instead, Chris gets stranded on Salvation by Rick Sr., armed only with a Foxy Shazam shirt and his wits – a Cast Away-style survival tale that's intriguing for Season 3.
Thoughts From the Quantum Unfolding Chamber – my quirky notes on the episode:
- Always rock those freckles with pride, just like Mom said!
- Wow, Vig's really tough on his mom – ouch.
- Speaking of Vig, all that fan speculation about the 'wrong' Vigilante returning from Earth X? Looks like it was off-base.
- Guess I was mistaken too about Michael Rooker popping up as an alternate Red St. Wild. Fingers crossed for next time!
- So, the 11th Street Kids are teaming up with old rivals like Sol Rodríguez's Bordeaux, Tim Meadows' Fleury, and Nhut Le's Judomaster to build Checkmate.
- Eagly and Economos – what a duo!
- It's been ages since I did weekly reviews; forgot how addictive they can be. Can't wait for the next series!
Verdict: Peacemaker Season 2's finale is a rollercoaster of a mixed bag, expertly resolving the Chris/Harcourt romance with stellar acting and genuine emotion, while sidelining much of the ensemble. Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. undergoes a villainous pivot that feels abrupt and unconvincing, though it cleverly plants seeds for future DCU tales like Checkmate's formation and Chris's exile on Salvation. These are exciting concepts begging for more exploration, but in 'Full Nelson,' they remain just that – promising ideas without the payoff.
What do you think, fellow fans? Was Rick Sr.'s turn a brilliant character evolution or a lazy plot device? Do you agree the Nazi storyline deserved a proper close, or is the open end a tease for bigger reveals? And is the Chris/Harcourt arc the highlight it needed to be, or should Gunn have balanced the ensemble better? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I'd love to hear your takes and spark some debate!
