Written by Daryn Kirscht
While the world is still struggling to cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic, now is the perfect time to catch up on shows and movies. AT&T just launched HBO Max last month and while
subscribers eager for high-profile original DC content will have to wait until 2021 to see Zack Snyder’s Justice League, a spectacular superhero show just swooped in to save the day: Doom Patrol!
This series debuted last year on DCUniverse, DC Comics’ attempted over the top streaming service original – and also appeared in the fourth episode of another DCUniverse show, Titans. Both Doom Patrol and Titans miraculously managed to survive the cut after their first season, unlike Swamp Thing, and Doom Patrol even secured a promotion to Warner Media’s flagship streamer for their second season.
Doom Patrol – based on the comic series run by legendary writer, Grant Morrison – was brought to life by creator, Mr. Nobody – I mean, Jeremy Carver – in addition to Greg Berlanti and Warner Bros. Television. They are most definitely not nobodies. Berlanti has been the driving force behind all of the superhero shows on The CW network since Arrow debuted on the network in 2012. Carver, meanwhile, has worked on other genre shows, such as Supernatural, Frequency, and Prodigal Son. Taking full advantage of airing on a streaming service, the series not only exists in its own detached universe, but it also is appealing to a more adult audience who may feel like outsiders and/or enjoy embracing the bizarre weirdness of a comic book brought to life.
This rag-tag team consists of a wise, old man in a wheelchair named Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton, Licence to Kill), a multiple-personality rebel named Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero, Orange is the New Black), a literal robot man of the same name (Brendan Fraser, The Mummy), a former pilot turned energy figure named Negative Man (Matt Bomer, American Horror Story), and a former actress from the ‘50s now transformed into a blob called Elasti-Girl (April Bowlby, Two and a Half Men). Also playing a big role is Justice League member Cyborg (Joivan Wade, The First Purge), a cybernetic, half-robot, half-man, joins the team to help take down the badguy of the season. He defies the behest of his father, Silas Stone, portrayed by Smallville alum Phil Morris, who urges him not to become involved. The team has to face off against a threat that not only narrates the story, but can exist outside of time and space – even the panels of a comic book – by a comedic villain that goes by the name of Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk, Firefly). He challenges the protagonists by attacking their inner demons within their own minds.
Doom Patrol is an excellent example of a show that perfectly balances horrible tragedy with
entertaining personalities, particularly when it comes to the comedy of Robotman. Perhaps the best way to describe the show is as a mix of Deadpool and X-Men, combined with a soft touch of Sucker Punch and Suicide Squad, and a sprinkle of The Flash and The LEGO Movie on top for good measure. It has all the wrinkles of a show that exudes everything a comic book fan could want. The way character development, written masterfully for each and every character, drives the plot forward is incredible. Episode 9, “Jane Patrol,” might be one of my favorite episodes of television ever.
The acting and directing is also quite excellent as a whole. Surprisingly, there are no weak links in the main or supporting cast. However the clear stand out is Guerrero, who steals the show as every version of Jane. She carries Doom Patrol by seamlessly shifting back and forth between a wide variety of characters. Every personality Guerrero takes on successfully draws the viewer in emotionally in a different way. Guerrero is a prime example of capturing lightning in a bottle with perfect casting.
Despite the name of the show, it does not take itself seriously. Between literally breaking the fourth wall, a street named Danny being a supporting character, the evil Bureau of Normalcy, and a herd of running butts breaking out of a lab, nothing is impossible. It embraces everything wacky and un-normal about comic books and delivers it in an entertaining way. The wackiness does bother me sometimes, especially coming from Mr. Nobody, but is always done with purpose, leading to another important plot point.
One last thing: if you’re someone that is a sucker for a good soundtrack, like me, then Doom Patrol will live up to the punch. The composers, Kevin Kiner and Clint Mansell, do an excellent job with the musical score. It really brings the emotionality and excitement to every scene.
Now that the Doom Patrol Season 2 Premiere has debuted on HBO Max, if you are looking for an entertaining time that occasionally pulls at the heartstrings and takes you for a rollercoaster ride of an adventure with a bunch of outcasts with abilities, then Doom Patrol is the show for you.
Doom Patrol Season 2 Premiere is now streaming on HBO MAX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TusmSgYoDhQ
