DC's Peacemaker had no right to be so good.
The first eight-episode run of the series was just renewed for a second season. Without getting into major finalespoilers, let's take a look at the many, many things that Peacemaker nailed, things that other shows, and superhero franchises, could learn from.
For a long time, superhero movies played it safe with a 13 rating, worried about alienating younger audience members and suffering at the box office. The Suicide Squad and two features from the film, and not one but two features from the film, changed everything. Tony Stark is having sex, but they are letting expletives fly as freely as super powered punches to their enemies. It is almost frightening to imagine a clean version of Peacemaker because of the word "fuck".
The sex scene in the pilot episode drives the narrative when Chris/Peacemaker sleeps with a woman who becomes a major lead on Project Butterfly. She tries to kill him in a fight sequence throughout the apartment and sets the entire series in motion.
Peacemaker and Vigilante have a threesome with a witness from that building, which serves as comic relief but also hints at Peacemaker's sexuality. How far have we come? Is this the same place that gave us Game of Throne?
Credit: Katie Yu / HBO Max
Peacemaker stars a queer black woman.
With demand for queer representation in demand from both audiences and filmmakers, a character like Leota Adebayo should be front and center. The other characters don't care about her sexuality, which is refreshing from Peacemaker. One of the most emotional moments of the finale is the reunion of the couple, who have remained a central figure in the series.
Chris has a history of queerness, something that was stamped down by his father.
Chris isn't afraid to grow, and no one else should be either! Credit: HBO Max
Fans were quick to point out that the white male character from The Suicide Squad was going to have his own show. His own companions on Project Butterfly are also interested in what he has to say, but Peacemaker quickly turns that on its head.
In the early episodes, we see Chris lashing out at his colleagues, only to come home and break down because he can't get people to like him. He grapples with his hatred of violence, his relationship with his father, and the loss of his brother when he is alone. By the end of the first season, Peacemaker's tears are a regular occurrence, a necessary release after near-death experiences and building emotions.
When Chris is trying to prove he did not write a journal in his apartment, Peacemaker takes down toxic masculinity. He is quick to mock the cover art but when he considers, he takes it back.
He says that if he enjoyed it, he wouldn't let people's judgements hold him back. I would mix all sorts of shit.
This guy? SUCKS. Credit: HBO Max
Peacemaker is not interested in redemption of the White Dragon. He is the father of Chris, but he is also a card-carrying white nationalist with harmful views on women, people of color, and queerness. There is nothing good about this man. Peacemaker's team has no problem fighting and killing White Dragon's crew, and his supporters are referred to as "racist thug" in later episodes.
Peacemaker is the story of a costumed ex-con who joins a secret government task force to track an alien invasion. The plot is clean and gripping, with twists doled out regularly that always satisfy even if they don't shock The show is more interested in telling a story than it is in eliciting a reaction.
The White Dragon storyline features a despicable villain with complex family ties to Peacemaker. On the other side, we have the butterflies, who have no idea what motivates them.
Peacemaker puts forth intriguing thoughts about humanity and its role in the future, and then tables those conversations in favor of friendship, truth, and kicking ass.
From antagonistic coworkers to loyal friends :') Credit: Katie Yu / HBO Max
You are almost caught off-guard when you realize how much these characters have bonds.
Chris is a teammate and Harcourt is grateful for his presence in the finale. She goes from rolling her eyes at Adebayo to relying on her heavily in the finale, and the two share a poignant moment outside the shack before Adebayo goes charging in. The 11th Street Kids group text is an unapologetically sweet moment, as our disparate and emotional characters realize that they might finally have a group of friends who get it.
"Peacemaker" introduces Judomaster without making a fuss. Credit: HBO Max
Adapting an extended universe is not a joke. The Book of Boba Fett was released in conjunction with Peacemaker, and it was stuffed to the gills with suffocating Star Wars fan service that ultimately amounted to nothing.
Peacemaker is alone with confidence. It does not explain or include the Justice League or Task Force X. The arcs in the series build up their characters rather than anything outside the show.
The first season of Peacemaker is now available to watch.
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