Peacemaker season 2’s newest episode feels like the series’ boldest chapter yet, marked by the surprising return of a familiar DCEU face that re-frames previous episodes in a new light. The twist comes on the heels of episode 2’s cliffhanger, where Peacemaker chose to cross into an alternate universe in pursuit of its version of Emilia Harcourt rather than remain with his own. What follows is a classic blend of over-the-top comic book absurdity and raw human conflict.
The story kicks off with a flashback to Rick Flag Jr. and Emilia Harcourt amid a secret affair before Rick’s fateful mission to Corto Maltese, a moment that re-frames Harcourt’s guarded nature with Peacemaker. By weaving in echoes of The Suicide Squad alongside these new revelations, the story deepens her character while highlighting the complicated tension between her and Peacemaker, with John Cena and Jennifer Holland selling every beat of attraction, hesitation, and emotional distance.
The attention shifts to the alternate universe, giving Peacemaker a sobering look at what might have been. There, he learns that this world’s Peacemaker was everything he wished he could be: a celebrated hero who fought alongside his father and brother, admired by the public, and in a relationship with Harcourt.
On the surface, it looks like a perfect life, one untouched by the missteps that haunt our hero. The contrast highlights the season’s central theme of mistakes and self-reflection, as Peacemaker is forced to confront how far he is from the man he wants to be. His visit to ARGUS deepens that tension when he runs into Harcourt and an all-too-wary Rick Flag Jr., whose suspicious glare makes every interaction between Peacemaker and Harcourt more charged than ever.
The alternate Harcourt, unaware that her world’s Peacemaker is gone, notices something different about Chris. Her observation catches him off guard, hinting that even in his flaws, there are qualities worth recognizing. It is a small but poignant reminder of how harshly we judge ourselves compared to how others might see us. That moment of quiet reflection quickly gives way to chaos when a Sons of Liberty member, Jerry, accidentally detonates himself right in front of them.
What follows is a blood-soaked stretch of pure James Gunn mayhem, where Peacemaker finally gets to embody the hero he has always aspired to be, saving lives and earning the crowd’s cheers. John Cena balances the spectacle with surprising sincerity, and the emotional weight lands even harder when the episode closes on a tender conversation between Peacemaker and his brother.
Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag. It’s not the only one who returns this week. Judomaster reemerges as part of the ARGUS squad tasked with tracking down Peacemaker and Eagly, adding another familiar face to the mix. The biggest surprise, however, comes from Michael Rooker, one of James Gunn’s longtime collaborators. While Rooker previously portrayed Savant in The Suicide Squad before meeting a grim end, here he steps into an entirely new role. This time, he plays Red St. Wild, the world’s leading eagle hunter, drafted after ARGUS nearly lost its first unit in battle with Eagly.
If there is one weakness in this episode, it lies in how little the supporting cast is given to work with. Both Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) and Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) function more as mirrors for others than as fully developed characters. Adebayo shares a morning chat with Harcourt after the party, pressing her about her feelings toward Peacemaker, but the exchange leans heavily on exposition rather than character depth. Moments like this highlight how the season has struggled to give its ensemble the same level of attention and nuance that Peacemaker himself continues to receive.
This season of Peacemaker continues to stand out as something special, capturing the same spark that made James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films feel so much more than colorful heroes battling digital effects. The show balances irreverent humor, heartfelt emotion, and chaotic spectacle in a way that keeps it consistently engaging. What’s impressive is how it manages to feel both outrageous and deeply human at the same time, giving weight to the absurdity.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 Review: A DCEU Hero Returns?
This season of Peacemaker continues to stand out as something special, capturing the same spark that made James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films feel so much more than colorful heroes battling digital effects.
