IR TV Review: PEACEMAKER - EPISODE 1 (“The Ties That Bind”)[Max-S2]
After the events of the last season of "Peacemaker," a lot has changed (in the real world as well) so Season 2 would adequately reflect that both in terms of narrative as well as canon. Episode 1 of Season 2: "The Ties That Bind" figures into that structure. The punk loner mentality that does seem to infuse "Superman" is on display here and James Gunn's fingerprints on DC Studios as a whole is more apparent. The first episodes (which he both wrote and directed) wants you to see where some of the team has fallen to in a way considering Chris thought he saved the world. However, in many ways, he lost more. While one scene seems to just be testing the series R rated boundary, it almost seems to do it just to be punk...not because it is necessary but to make a joke work.
A different scene with Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) fares a whole lot better because it feels much more true. Certain other placement scenes give the episode fuel but it is hard to talk about them without giving a little bit of spoilers away. The structure again gives play to certain elements in "Superman". That basis is used to best effect in a way almost Gunn's feature in "Superman" couldn't do because it does go to some extremes narratively but it does bridge certain elements. But he seems to know in the feature films he might not be able to go as broad (though "Superman" did try certain things). The new season (at least the first episode) also continues to creates empathy for Peacemaker (John Cena). He is a dumb violent lug but his heart is in the right place. Cena really gets this without pandering too much to the camera. Most of the other characters, even Chase (Freddie Stroma) are also not quite where they hope to be (though Chase only gets one scene in this episode so we don't forget him). They are just living life but the question with these new episodes is how that that entire perception change and how does it affect the future. B+
By Tim Wassberg
