Season 2 - 8 episodes (2025)
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Created by: James Gunn
Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, Tim Meadows
Rated: TV-MA
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Plot
In this season Peacemaker discovers an alternate universe he hopes can fulfill a void, but ultimately he still has to address his past while Rick Flag Sr. targets Peacemaker as well as all meta-humans.
Verdict
Are super hero properties required to introduce parallel worlds? While that provides comedy and drama, it's an overused story element at this point. Peacemaker wants to leave his world for a alternative dimensions that he thinks will provide him the relationships and approval he craves. He's also being chased by an agent out for revenge. I like the first season more. That's due to this season feeling less novel as well as the show relying on the characterizations developed last season. This season is Peacemaker dealing with his feelings and trying to find support. With the way this concludes, this season feels like an introduction to a larger story that obviously will span into the next season or more.
It depends.
Review
Peacemaker (John Cena) has made a vow for peace, no matter how many people he must kill to get there. The first season makes fun of a super hero that thinks he's greater and better than he is. To start season one, he gets a deal to become an operative in Project Butterfly to commute his sentence. He must exterminate people that have been taken over by insectoid creatures. His team has to thwart an alien invasion. We also see Peacemaker's racist father, who has caused his son to be lonely, desperately desiring affirmation and affection. Peacemaker's father gets framed for Peacemaker's crime. That means he's intent on getting revenge against his son. At the end of the season Peacemaker chooses his team over the fate of the world, and Leota (Danielle Brooks) who was a double agent on the team reveals that Peacemaker was set up to take the fall for the team.
Starting season two Peacemaker, aka Chris, tries out for the Justice Guys. Unfortunately Green Lantern and Hawk Girl are on the interview team. He's not on the best of terms with them, so it doesn't go well.
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| E1: John Cena plays Peacemaker aka Chris Smith |
The first season briefly mentioned Chris's father's quantum room. This season makes it a feature plot point. Chris quickly finds an alternate reality where he and his brother are a popular super hero trio with their father. It's everything he's ever wanted. Unfortunately, he runs into an issue in that other world.
The general problem is how many super hero movies are doing alternate realities. Marvel already did it with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Loki. It's strange that DC is pivoting this season to incorporate the same concept in what seems like a copy. Nearly all of Marvel's properties seems to explore the multi-verse, even Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has explored the concept. It's over-saturation.
New A.R.G.U.S. (the government agency that tracks meta-humans) head Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) tracks Chris, seeking revenge as Chris killed his son in The Suicide Squad (2021). It was on orders from former head Waller to cover up government involvement in Project Starfish, which involved a star fish alien and mind control.
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| John Cena plays Peacemaker |
Chris is spending a lot of time in the other dimension. That's likely to tank at some point. It's an escape for Chris from his trauma growing up, as well as his unrequited love for Harcourt. Unfortunately he discovers his alternate self wasn't such a great guy, but he does get to stop a threat while impersonating himself. Chris wants to live in this world, but he's also having to dodge A.R.G.U.S. in his world. Harcourt agrees to bring him in to get her old job back.
Episode six introduces Lex Luthor, and it just seems like a shameless plug for Superman (2025), especially since he only serves as a quick cameo and later a name drop.
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| E8: Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, John Cena, Freddie Stroma play Leota Adebayo, Emilia Harcourt, John Economos, Chris Smith, Vigilante |
Chris also discovers the alternate dimension he likes so much has a big problem. Actually, Harcourt discovers it. The reason Chris didn't notice it seems to be purely comedic effect. This season has been Peacemaker trying to reconcile his past with what he wants, looking for a life that's fulfilling. Harcourt refuses to fill that void. While his father never filled that role, Chris always hoped he would. Chris thinks he's found the answer this season, but that goes south quickly. Chris has always been driven by what he lacks. The first season unpacked his problems, this season focuses on Chris looking for a fix. This season doesn't seem as engaging. I don't know if it doesn't feel as fresh or there's less humor. This season also doesn't develop characters as much. Part of the first season's humor was how ridiculous Peacemaker is, overestimating himself at every step.
While Chris doesn't find the perfect life he wanted, his friends communicate how they appreciate and want him to stay. The final episode is more of a teaser for the next season. Flag wants to use the quantum portal to find a prison for meta-humans. This season doesn't get a resolution.
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