Warning: the following contains SPOILERS for DMZ.
The ending of DMZ sees the denizens of the war zone retaining their independence from any foreign entities, and Alma, better known as Zee, becoming the first governor of the city. HBO Max's DMZ is just one of the many new TV shows adapted from DC comics. However, unlike superhero shows such as Flash or Peacemaker, HBO Max's DMZ is based on a comic book of the same name published by Vertigo Comics, a DC imprint that's focused on mature tales that deeply examine the flaws and potential of humanity. While the DMZ series is very loosely based on the original DC/Vertigo comic book, it does manage to preserve the source material's overarching themes and social commentary. Indeed, the ending of DMZ is about second chances, finding hope amid seemingly insurmountable challenges, and the sovereignty of a nation created through the Second American Civil War. While DMZ is set in the dystopian future, it is a compellingly realistic interpretation of American history and political evolution.
DMZ season 1 ends with Zee winning the first gubernatorial race and the women leaders of Manhattan standing behind their new governor. After Parco Delgado fails to use kids to bomb the FSA's access to Manhattan and allow the U.S. to invade the DMZ, Parco ends up in the custody of the U.S. military. Meanwhile, Zee and Parco's son, Christian, also known as Skel, has been given a second chance to start anew outside of the DMZ, accompanied by his love interest, Wilson's former ward, Tenny.
DMZ's finale sets up a bright future for Zee, Christian, and the people of the DMZ. At the same time, alongside this optimistic ending for the protagonists, DMZ also shines a light on the darkest aspects of all-out civil war. Here's everything that you might have missed in the ending of the HBO Max show DMZ.
Why The U.S. Didn't Invade The DMZ
During the ending of DMZ, the U.S. troops that are gathering near Manhattan back off only because Parco fails to deliver on his promise to bomb the FSA's main access road into the island. If the U.S. had pushed through with the invasion, they would also have had to contend with the FSA, effectively restarting the war without any real advantage for the U.S. In short, this is just a temporary victory for Zee and the people of the DMZ, as the U.S. is bound to attempt it again at the next available opportunity. While Zee and the current leaders of the DMZ are loyal to the people, it won't be long until the U.S. can find another rising charismatic warlord figure like Parco Delgado to do their bidding from the inside. In DMZ, the way the U.S. military used Parco reflects current real-world U.S. drug war and foreign anti-insurgency tactics. The whole point of DMZ is to show that this can also happen at home, perpetrated by American officials.
In fact, the character of Parco is a warning about how warlordism isn't an entirely foreign concept. Empowered by U.S. government support, Parco plots against his own people for the promise of more power once the U.S. takes over the DMZ. On his way to the top, Parco never hesitates to use his own son, and has even shown that he's not beyond using child soldiers to further his goals. Although the U.S. fails to invade in the DMZ season 1 ending, Parco's character shows that it's only a matter of time before the U.S. turns another charismatic community leader into a power-hungry government-funded warlord.
Why Zee Decided To Stay In The DMZ With Odi, Nico, And The Others
Zee's fate is similar to the fate of Dune's Paul Atreides. Like Paul, Zee is an outsider who has not only been accepted as a member of the community, but has heeded the call of leadership. As Zee tells her son Christian, she has found her calling in the DMZ, a place where her voice and actions can make a difference. Amid the convoluted political power plays between the U.S. and the FSA, Zee represents hope and self-determination. Although it seems unusual for the DMZ to choose an outsider as its leader, the people of the DMZ are a combination of those who chose to stay on Manhattan Island and those who don't have a choice but to stay and survive. In short, Zee is a true daughter of the DMZ. As Zee, Oona, Carmen, and Susie take the reins, the DMZ's unique culture and political sovereignty remain intact.
Odi and Nico can also look forward to better days. Like Star Wars' infamous Order 66, the characters of Odi and Nico are meant to shine a spotlight on the main casualties of war: the youth. After Odi barely dodges being used as a child soldier by Parco, he finds his own family in Nico and Zee. Even for orphans growing up in a war zone, there's always hope.
Christian/Skel And Tenny's Future In The U.S.
Zee finally gets what she wants as she convinces her son Christian to leave the DMZ with his newfound love interest Tenny. While Christian is the son of Spanish Harlem Kings leader Parco Delgado, Tenny is the ward of Chinatown leader Wilson. Christian's history is definitely much darker than Tenny's – however, both are artists that have managed to flourish amid the Second American Civil War. As Christian builds a new life with Tenny in the U.S., Christian's fate represents second chances for soldiers who have committed atrocities in the line of duty.
Why HBO's DMZ Isn't Loyal To The Comic Book
Much like the DCEU's Peacemaker, Warner Bros' Lucifer, and the MCU's Hawkeye, HBO Max's DMZ isn't really loyal to the comic book's storylines. In fact, the series only takes a handful of elements from the wide range of stories found within DC/Vertigo's DMZ, and then uses them to craft its own original story. Out of the series' main characters, only Zee, Wilson, and Parco are based on characters from the comics. This could be because the comic book is 72 issues long, while the HBO Max series was only given four hour-long episodes. Four hours are not nearly enough to do justice to the comic book's epic overarching narrative, which could be what compelled showrunners to instead do a shorter original story that's very loosely inspired by the comic book.
Everything We Know About DMZ Season 2
DMZ's season 1 ending certainly lays the groundwork for the beginnings of a second season. That said, based on the current focus of streaming platform HBO Max, it might be a while before DMZ season 2 will be released – if it's even greenlit for renewal. For now, audiences are divided in terms of whether or not DMZ deserves a second season. In any case, the way the show ended sets up the foundations for DMZ season 2.
DMZ is streaming now on HBO Max.