Warning: Contains spoilers for Peacemaker episode 6.
In Peacemaker episode 6, “Murn After Reading,” the series gave crucial insight into John Cena’s Peacemaker in a way that could lead to his inclusion in the future of the Justice League. James Gunn has become a big name for both the MCU and the DCEU, spearheading the introduction of Guardians Of The Galaxy and revitalizing The Suicide Squad. His adaptations of characters are starting to shape both worlds, and Peacemaker going on to join the Justice League could just be the next step for his presence in the DCEU ahead of Peacemaker season 2.
In Peacemaker episode 6, Chris Smith is feeling ostracized from the team when it becomes clear that they are keeping a secret from him about how they know so much about the Butterflies. When he returns to the base, Harcourt gifts him a P90 engraved with the Dove of Peace, and he finally opens up to her with the result of his extensive introspection. In a show of true emotion, Peacemaker explains to Harcourt that he doesn’t really think the Dove of Peace is that important, but that he just doesn’t want to kill people anymore. This was largely brought about by reflecting on having killed Rick Flag, Flag’s final words, and his new ongoing distaste for murder. However, he provides the caveat that he is still happy to kill aliens, particularly bug-aliens.
Peacemaker’s confession in Peacemaker episode 6 to Harcourt that he doesn’t want to kill people anymore marks the turning point for the character. An easter egg in episode 5 revealed that early in his career he was viewed as a hero when he took down the villain Kite Man, and this revelation in his post-The Suicide Squad days opens the door for him to be seen as a hero again. Crucially, as he makes it clear that he would still be able to fight aliens, he is in a position to become a force for defending Earth from bigger threats. This provides Peacemaker the perfect avenue into joining the Justice League in a way that can bring levity to the superhero team-up (and maybe shed some light on his misconceptions about the league’s sexual interests). James Gunn has kept the Peacemaker season 1 finale and in particular the final moments of episode 8, a closely guarded secret. There are many theories as to what is included there that James Gunn “can’t believe” DC is letting him do, but Peacemaker’s induction into the Justice League would fit with Gunn’s statements.
So far, the DCEU has struggled to find the right level of threat for Task Force X to fight. Peacemaker announcing that he is prepared to fight aliens but not humans makes the Justice League a better fit for him, but his previous appearances also help to establish the need for this role. In both The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Chris Smith has gone up against aliens in the form of Starro (although he wasn’t present for the main battle) and the Butterflies. The fact that there have been two galactic world threats in the space of five or six months shows that he can be of great use serving as a member of the Justice League and working to defend Earth from galactic threats.
Interestingly, this setup for Peacemaker’s future beyond Peacemaker season 1 echoes a choice from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the early MCU, the concern for the heroes tended to be focused on Earth and the threats that might come from humanity (with a couple of exceptions). However, after The Avengers, Iron Man in particular became more concerned with the threat to Earth from beyond the stars. This not only allowed for a more expansive universe of villains and heroes, but provided the relatively uncomplicated explanation for the heroes’ need to fight as defending the Earth from outside invaders. With The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker both dealing with extraterrestrial threats and Peacemaker setting his future towards fighting non-human villains, the DCEU can use this same MCU trick in their wider narratives by including him in the Justice League.
Peacemaker releases new episodes Thursdays on HBO.
