Doom Patrol – S1 Ep15 – Ezekiel Patrol Review

Director: Dermott Downs

Writer: Tamara Becher-Wilkinson, Jeremy Carver and Shoshana Sachi

Starring: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Alan Tudyk, Timothy Dalton, Phil Morris, Tommy Snider, Alimi Ballard, Anna Lore, Charmin Lee, Skye Roberts, Stephanie Czajowski, Ethan McDowell and the voice of Curtis Armstrong. With Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk.

Regular viewers may remember seeing (and hearing) a talking cockroach appear in previous episodes. His name is Ezekiel, and he plays a big part in this episode. Those who read my reviews may also remember the chapter where Cliff cut loose, and the whole team had group therapy. Admiral whiskers, orphan rat and the rodent behind the ultimate mindf@9#, also plays a huge part in this episode.

Oh, and don’t forget Mr. Nobody.

This show has always been larger than life, but the season finale is massive. Forget Lex Luthor and the Joker, they’re small fry. Threats don’t get much bigger than the ones we get in this gargantuan season finale.

They Think It’s All Over

The last fifteen weeks have taken us on the craziest ride ever. We’ve experienced tears and laughter, flatulence and flexing muscles, joy, pain, giant robots, aliens, munching buttocks and the most unorthodox team of superheroes ever. Now the truth has been revealed, will our favourite freaks ever be the same again?

Last week the Doom Patrol finally freed the Chief from captivity, but in doing so discovered that he had behind all the horrors that had befallen them. They had all experienced betrayal in their lives, but could any of those compare to this one? The man that had been their leader had been lying to them for decades… but why?

Everyone thought that Niles Caulder was a hero, a saviour or a benefactor. What would cause the man who had taken care of all these super-powered misfits to betray them in this way? He gathered them together, took them all in and showed love to the unlovable, to a point where they became a family. What’s more important than family?

Timothy Dalton and Alan Tudyk shine in this episode, and most of it revolves around them. We also get glimpses at the pasts of all the characters, to points in time just before we originally met them, or at critical junctures in their relationships with the chief.

April Bowlby’s Rita has grown immensely as a character over the last four months and this growth is inspirational. Brendan Fraser has been the voice of the audience all along, and his constant “What the f@(#$” have been a source of constant joy. Jane, Victor and Larry feel like old friends, and I’m really going to miss them all.

Rats

The insanity and heart of this show are two of the things that make it so great. The writing, direction and production values all match. This could be the only show that has delivered a season replete with episodes that all rank as great, or even excellent. There were no fillers, no let downs and not one instance where a chapter was “Just O.K.”

“Ezekiel Patrol” wraps up the first season with all the fun and fantasy that I’ve come to expect, admire and grin like an idiot at. It’s also done that cleverest of things by doing so in a way that still leaves the door wide open for what is, hopefully, still to come.

It’s odd to me that Titans was confirmed for a second season before the first had even finished, yet there’s no news on whether Doom Patrol has been renewed. It would be a crime if it isn’t, because this show deserves to grow and needs to be seen and loved by more people.

Conclusion

The ultimate compliment that I could ever pay a comic-book based T.V. show is that it’s every bit as good as the source material. Doom Patrol is one of those shows that has, on occasion, even surpassed the comics it was based on and inspired by.

The creators of this show have performed a minor miracle in translating a series that I never thought would work on T.V. and made it shine. The acting talent has breathed real life and believability into the most surreal of characters and unbelievable of scenarios. I’ve genuinely fallen in love with the Chief, Cliff Steele, Larry Trainor, Rebis, Rita Farr, Victor Stone, Jane, Hammerhead, Baby-Doll, Karen and every aspect of Kay Challis.

Farewell, Doom Patrol. I’m really going to miss you.

Doom Patrol – S1 Ep14 – Penultimate Patrol Review

Director: Rebecca Rodriguez

Writer: Chris Dingess

Starring: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Alan Tudyk, Timothy Dalton, Devan Chandler Long, Phil Morris, Tommy Snider, Julie McNiven, and Victoria Blade. With Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk.

Wow. Every episode of this series is excellent, but this one was pant wettingly good. We got to see old friends, learn secret origins and experience comic-book action like you wouldn’t believe. The addition of Flex Mentallo to the cast really made everyone come together in a penultimate episode that I’m sure will lead to an incredible climax next week.

Going In Deep

Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I adore comics. Horror, sci-fi, Fantasy, American, European, British, colour, black and white… I love them all. This episode digs into the truth about comics; reading between the lines and looking beyond the words and pictures.

Doom Patrol is beyond crazy and surreal, but t’s made in a way that helps us learn, cope with and understand the crazy in our own lives. This fun-house mirror of a T.V. show has helped it’s cast of misfits grow into better people, and has further opened my eyes as to what constitutes “Normal”… if such a thing even exists. Beyond even than that, it demonstrates – in a fun and non-preachy way – that everyone has their own view of what that should be. No-one has the right to impose their own versions over and above anyone else’s.

Not bad for a show full of farting donkeys, fourth wall breaking baddies and fanged glutei maximi.

Sweet Release

Beard Hunters, men of muscle mystery, multiple personalities and brains in metal casings. Rita, Larry, Cliff, Jane and Victor have all been locked in prisons, be they physical, emotional or mental, with this entire show being about them escaping these jails… whether imagined or otherwise. The parallel arc of freeing the Chief from the clutches of Mr. Nobody has been brilliantly written and dramatised.

The layers and complexities of this show are cleverly disguised by the comedy and insanity. Satire can often be cynical, but this show shows us the truth in ways that are so much fun. As unreal as the characters and situations in this show are, I dare you to find a more human, real and human cast of characters anywhere else.

Conclusion

Every character shone this week. Hero, villain, love interest, Street… all of them. The cast of actors delivered incredible performances throughout. I smiled from ear to ear when our heroes came together on Danny The Street, felt sorrow and heartache at the situation between Victor and Silas Stone and punched the air when our heroes made their heroic decisions. April Bowlby’s Rita and Diane Guerrero’s Jane(s) in particular had some great standout moments.

This show is as well written, lavishly produced, beautifully directed and brilliantly acted as anyone could ever wish for. The final scenes blew my mind, and the revelations delivered cast new light on both Mr. Nobody and Niles Caulder.

Stock up on wipes and tissues, because I think that things are going to get messy.

Doom Patrol – S1 Ep13 – Flex Patrol Review

Director: T.J. Scott

Writers: Tom Farrell and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson

Starring: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Alan Tudyk, Devan Chandler Long, Phil Morris, Jon Briddell, Susan Williams, Alec Mapa, Haley Strode and Ed Asner. With Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk.

Remember that comic book Vic and Rita were looking at in episode 10? The one where the a figure was missing from one of the pages? Remember prisoner 722 from last week?

Do you see where I’m going with this?

Yes folks, this week sees the T.V. debut of Flex Mentallo, The Man Of Muscle Mystery” and the fourth wall gets broken like plates at a Greek wedding.

Tussle With The Muscle

Devan Chandler Long as Flex is one of the best examples of T.V. casting EVER. Not only is he ripped and chiselled, he exudes the warmth charm and all round wholesomeness that this character demands. If any character exemplifies honour, manliness and mom’s apple pie, it’s this fella.

Last week; Cliff, Rita, Jane, and Larry saved Cyborg from the clutches of the Bureau Of Normalcy, leaving chaos and devastation in their wake. Not only did they release all the evil organisation’s prisoners, including the munching butts, they unwittingly found just the character they were looking for in inmate 722.

This week we learn the tragic story of a hero torn from his wife, his home and his time, and now all the pieces for the endgame (eat your hearts out, Avengers) are in play.

Ripped From The Page

With only two episodes left in this season the quest to rescue the chief is reaching its climax. After almost killing his father Cyborg has been removed from the board, leaving only Elasti-Woman, Robot Man, Crazy Jane and Negative Man to continue the mission.

How will Flex fit in with their plans? Will he even be able to, after the shocking events of this episode? Time will tell. The one thing that’s certain is that this ain’t no day-time soap opera and shiz just got (sur)real!

Every piece of casting, every character and every scenario feels like it got ripped of the comics page and placed on the screen. This show’s bonkers brilliance continues unabated, whether Mr. Nobody likes it or not.

Conclusion

This episode delivered more than muscles and mayhem: The truth behind Larry and Rebis’ symbiosis was revealed, a number of Jane’s personas reached an understanding, Cliff swore repeatedly and Rita got advice from a former president of the screen actor’s guild. Yes… that happened.

Mr. Nobody is waiting and I’m invested like a vault full of premium bonds. I love this series; I’ll buy the books, the posters, towels and baseball caps. It’s so much more than just another superhero show.

Doom Patrol – S1 Ep12 – Cyborg Patrol Review

Director: Carol Banker

Writers: Robert Berens and Shoshana Sachi

Starring: Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Phil Morris, Alan Tudyk, Devan Chandler Long, Jon Briddell and Ritchie Crownfield. With Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk.

The Bureau Of Normalcy have captured Cyborg and imprisoned him in the Ant Farm. Yep, these guys are complete and utter @$$holes. One can only hope that our heroes prevail and that these butt-heads don’t succeed in their nefarious schemes.

A Game Of Two Halves

As you’ve probably guessed from the title, this episode is centred in and around Cyborg, played by Joivan Wade. Since rebooting his system, Victor disabled “Grid”, the cybernetic program which is the interface between him and his enhanced abilities. Without his super strength and weaponry, he was an easy target for the Bureau.

This talented young British actor impressed me long before his appearances on Doom Patrol, mainly due to his appearances as Rigsy in two episodes of Doctor Who. This week he delivers a stunningly powerful performance as a tortured soul, fighting for his sanity and his humanity.

Phil Morris returns as Silas Stone, Vic’s father, this week too. The already strained relationship is pushed to its very limits in this chapter, and my emotions were left in turmoil by – yet another – devastating cliffhanger.

Doom Patrol United

Even though the episode is Cyborg-centric, we still get some great moments from every member of the team. Matt Bomer’s Larry Trainor exhibits the steely determination and cool intellect we’ve come to expect and April Bowlby continues to impress as the ever so la-di-da Rita Farr. Both characters have been through so much, and both are far stronger because of it, whether they realise it, or not.

The relationship between Larry and Rebis continues to evolve, and Rita’s strength and confidence is growing episode by episode. The way this show weaves really well written character development amongst all the lunacy is a constant source of delight.

Diane Guerrero gets some amazing one-liners and a favorite face of Jane’s makes a (semi) welcome re-appearance too.

Brendan Fraser/Riley Shanahan continue to floor me with their comedic timing, expletives and the perfect symbiosis of their vocal/physical collaboration. They make it very hard to believe that it’s actually two people playing Cliff Steele.

The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum

Ah… the lunacy. This show is one of the craziest ever made, but that’s just part of what makes it so great. The quality of the writing, acting, production values and direction come together so well that every epsiode is a treat for the senses. These characters, considering how surreal the scenarios, are some of the most real, deep and complex I’ve ever encountered.

I’m not just talking about the main cast either. Keep a well-peeled eye out for the gentleman in the cell next to Victor, and pay close attention to everything he says. The way this show’s written leaves nothing to chance, so characters that appear minor, lines which may have seemed throwaway, or small occurrences have tended to lead to far more. I’m sure that the events of this episode will come back to bite our heroes on the butt at a later date.

Conclusion

This episode has delivered the quality, crazy and excellence that I have come to expect from this wonderful series. Shocks, laughs, emotion and action. As always the pieces of the puzzle are slowly coming together and the Bureau Of Normalcy proves that they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. Honestly, if they don’t watch their asses, could end up being the butt of the joke.

I love this show.

Doom Patrol – S1 Ep11 – Frances Patrol Review

Director: Wayne Yip

Writer: April Fitzimmons

Starring: April Bowlby, Diane Guerrero, Joivan Wade, Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer, Tom Fitzpatrick, Gary Basaraba, Kyle Clements and Bethany Anne Lind. Featuring Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk.

Wow. This episode waded into deep waters and really had bite. Every single week I think that the previous episode cannot be bettered, get any crazier or play with my emotions more than the one before. Every single week I’m happy to be proven wrong.

I don’t think that any show I’ve ever watched has delivered 11 excellent episodes in a row.

Alone In A Crowd

Matt Bomer’s Larry Trainor is in the spotlight this episode, having mainly been sidelined in the last two. This week’s story is vitally important for him and his development. The way Bomer portrays great strength, yet still comes across as sympathetic and vulnerable is a testament to his acting ability. He seemed to finally be at peace with himself and his sexuality at the Cabaret, but in this chapter, surrounded by people who should remind him that he isn’t alone, he seems more out of place than ever.

It was fantastic catching up with Larry’s former lover, John Bowers, and seeing the growing relationship between Larry and Rebis, the negative energy being that lives within him.

Make It Snappy

The second story of the week focuses on Cliff and Rita, as they travel to Florida in an attempt to reconnect with Clara, Robotman’s daughter. After years apart the clock is ticking on their relationship, and if Cliff doesn’t fix things with her then it could really be a case of, “See you later, alligator.”

Relationships are often complicated, and while this all may seem totally unfair and a real croc, Cliff finally tries to live up to his responsibilities. He may need to watch himself, though, as time waits for no man and he could really feel its bite if he’s not careful. He may not age, but he’s no Peter Pan. In fact, in this episode he shares a lot more in common with Captain Hook!

He’s Of Two Minds About The Whole Situation… She’s Of Sixty Four

Fans of Crazy Jane and Cyborg need not fear, as they aren’t left out. While Cliff and Rita are away geographically, Larry is reminiscing and then making house calls, Jane and Vic go on a side-quest of their own.

After locking herself away in the confines of the Underground, Jane seems more together and lucid than ever before. After discovering the Chief’s abandoned team, and learning that there was a chance of herself possibly ending up with them, Jane is more determined to find Niles Caulder than she previously had been. Let’s just say that this doesn’t end well for either herself or for Cyborg.

Victor’s near meltdown and reset, followed by Jane’s shocking painting have him doubting his sanity and humanity. He makes a discovery about himself this week that does nothing but exacerbate his fears.

Conclusion

While the pace and the crazy were taken down a couple of notches this week, I don’t see this as a negative. With only four epsiodes left this season I really feel that this is the calm before the storm. We still got some great action, laughs and resolutions.

I genuinely feel that Larry and Rebis have turned a corner, so much so that a real chance at healing can begin.

Of course, this is Doom Patrol. One rickety old door may have been closed, but there are still cans out there, brimming with worms just waiting to ooze and wiggle out of them. Cliff’s knee deep in a swamp of his own making, and Victor is raging against the machine.

More importantly, the Chief is still missing in action, and both the Bureau Of Normalcy and Mr. Nobody are still lurking in the shadows. Lest we forget, we keep hearing about Steve… good ol’ Steve. When he’s not trying to bite his own head off, that is.

This week’s cliffhanger is a doozy, and I’m invested. More, please!