Peacemaker is already halfway through its eight-episode run, and fans can't get enough of it. The show, which stars John Cena as the titular character first introduced in The Suicide Squad, received a positive reception from critics and fans alike, thanks to its humor, writing, acting, and overall approach to superheroism and vigilantism.
The show features many of writer/director James Gunn's trademark elements, and fans are enjoying its subversive and distinctively amoral tone. Indeed, Peacemaker is absolutely bonkers; even so, there are many things that fans still want to see before the DCEU show ends on February 17th.
Team Bonding
Project Butterfly is everything Gunn seems to love: a dysfunctional group of individuals thrown together against their wills that nonetheless end up bonding over their shared trauma, becoming better people in the process.
Like many of James Gunn's best movies, Peacemaker will surely include several moments where Project Butterfly bonds and forms a lasting friendship. Adebayo and Peacemaker are already friendly, and episode four shows Harcourt growing closer to Adebayo and Adrian. Hopefully, the remaining episodes will find some time to show the blossoming friendship between Peacemaker and his teammates.
More Jamil!
Jamil is one of the first characters to appear in Peacemaker. He is a janitor at the hospital where Chris recovered after the events at Corto Maltese, and the two consumed cannabis together at one point. Chris thinks that makes them friends or at least friendly, but Jamil shoots him down, insisting he's not a trustworthy person.
The two share one of the funniest scenes in the show, a hilarious back-and-forth that covers everything from MIT to Aquaman's sexual life. Jamil's intervention might be brief, but his character became instantly unforgettable, and he needs to return for another argument with Peacemaker. Jamil appears in the opening credits, hinting that he might return before the show ends.
Peacemaker's Throuple With Amber And Vigilante
Peacemaker has featured some shocking moments so far, but Chris' threesome with Amber and Vigilante was one of the most unexpected. The antihero openly flirted with Amber while holding her hostage, but not many fans expected to see her again, let alone in bed with both Peacemaker and Vigilante.
The gag seems to have been a one-episode thing, but Gunn likes to do the unexpected; who's to say Amber won't return? Furthermore, the concept of a polyamorous relationship remains foreign in the superhero landscape, and what better show to explore the theme than Peacemaker?
Judomaster Vs. Peacemaker, Round 3
Peacemaker is one of the Suicide Squad's best fighters, but there's always someone better. Indeed, episode three introduces Judomaster, Senator Goff's bodyguard and a martial arts expert who easily defeats Peacemaker and Vigilante in hand-to-hand combat.
Episode four features a rematch between Judomaster and Peacemaker, but things end when Adebayo shoots the former, critically injuring but not quite killing him. Judomaster seems to know crucial information about the butterflies, so it's unlikely he's dead, allowing him to fight Peacemaker a third time, winner take all.
Chris' Past With His Brother
Episode four is the most emotional so far, as it reveals some elements of Chris' traumatic childhood under Auggie's brutal tutelage. It also hints that something tragic happened to Chris' brother, and either Chris or Auggie were involved.
So far, the show's greatest success has been making audiences care about Peacemaker, initiating his path to redemption. Chris is not inherently bad, but he has a misguided sense of right and wrong thanks to his bigoted father. The show will surely take the time to explore his childhood under Auggie's care and his relationship with his dead brother, providing even more insight into this surprisingly complex character.
Adrian's Backstory
Vigilante has been one of Peacemaker's most pleasant surprises. Thanks to a winning performance by Harry Potter alumn Freddie Stroma, Vigilante is not only one of the show's funniest characters but also one of its most layered. Stroma's performance is charming, endearing even, allowing fans to sympathize with this overly enthusiastic and loyal psychopath.
So far, the show hasn't revealed much about Adrian's personal life or his backstory, but it needs to in future episodes. Like Peacemaker, Adrian doesn't seem to be a bad person per se, but he does have several issues that he needs to address.
Peacemaker's Relationship With Harcourt
Gunn's work often features a relationship between an immature man and a tough-as-nails lady, and Peacemaker is no exception. From day one, it's clear that Chris is very physically attracted to Harcourt, and he even tries to hit on her, but she shoots him down.
However, it won't be long before the two get together. Chris and Harcourt probably won't become a couple, especially considering he'll likely return to jail after the mission ends, but they'll surely give in to their attraction. The question is, how long will it take?
The Butterfly's Homeworld
The mystery at the center of Peacemaker is the presence of butterflies, alien creatures who possess humans and grant them enhanced strength, resistance, and stamina. So far, the show has treated them like menaces, but episode four revealed there might be more to them than meets the eye.
The show will certainly answer what the butterflies are, where they come from, and what they want. However, it would be great if it also showed the alien's homeworld. Shows about alien invasions often avoid showing the aliens' planet and focus only on their dealings on Earth. Peacemaker could change that, adding some extra lore to its already impressive mythos.
Waller & Her Suicide Squad
Amanda Waller's cameo in episode one of Peacemaker took audiences by surprise. It also opened the door for her return, hopefully in physical form. Viola Davis is one of the franchise's biggest assets, and Gunn is smart for recognizing it.
It would be incredible if Waller appeared in Peacemaker, perhaps at the end of the mission when the butterfly threat is over. Chris will probably go back to prison at the show's end, setting the stage for a potential third Suicide Squad movie. Cameos by other members of the Suicide Squad, possibly Ratcatcher or Bloodsport, would also be greatly appreciated.
Vigilante Becoming Part Of The Suicide Squad
Not only is Vigilante one of Peacemaker's funniest characters, but he might be the show's breakout. Thanks to Stroma's charming performance and some top-notch writing from Gunn, the character is becoming one of the series' most compelling and complex figures. However, because this is a Gunn project, chances are Vigilante won't make it out alive.
If Adrian, by some miracle, survives, he needs to come back as a member of the Suicide Squad. He would be a blast with the other members of the Squad, particularly Ratcatcher and Harley Quinn. The thought of the three of them together annoying Bloodsport is too good to resist.