The DC Universe is in its early days but that hasn't stopped it from taking some pretty major risks. James Gunn and Peter Safran relaunched the franchise after the demise of the DC Extended Universe and the new chapter is off to a roaring start. Gunn's Superman kicked things off this summer (on the live-action front at least) and it has already become the highest-grossing movie to feature the Man of Steel domestically. Not a bad start at all.
But Gunn has made it clear that he won't be afraid to have the DCU push boundaries. Look no further than the other two titles in the franchise right now. Creature Commandos started it all last year with a haunting, mature tale that wasn't for the faint of heart while Peacemaker season 2 opened on a note that reiterated that the outrageously violent and mature series will be taking no prisoners now that it has landed in the new DCU (season 1 was set in the DCEU).
*** This article contains major SPOILERS from Peacemaker season 2. Don't read on if you would prefer it wasn't spoiled for you. ***
Peacemaker season 2 opens with the death of... Peacemaker?
After a three-year wait, Peacemaker returned to screens with its season 2 premiere "The Ties That Grind". Let's just say that it was shocking to say the least. The episode picked up some of the loose-hanging plot threads from the first season, showcasing where every character landed after the Butterflies situation. It was also extremely bloody, graphic, outrageous, and everything else that we know Peacemaker to be.
However, the most shocking moment came in the closing moments of the episode when Christopher Smith, Peacemaker himself, entered the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, a.k.a. the door in Auggie Smith's house that leads to a pocket dimension of other universes. The door led him to an array of Peacemaker helmets. Standing before them, a door to another dimension - one that featured an alternate Peacemaker who had strong, healthy and happy relationships with his father and his brother Keith - the same Keith who had died as a child in Chris' universe.
After sharing a wonderful, emotional moment with the doppelgangers of his brother and father, Chris was confronted by that universe's version of himself. The two Peacemakers fought briefly but it was the doppelganger who got the better of things very quickly, leading our Chris to retreat through the pocket dimension door.
But the other Peacemaker caught up to him and pummelled him with his fists. When he was about to land the final blow, Chris pressed the emblem on his attacker's chest, sending the other Peacemaker to the roof of the pocket dimension's room and directly into a spike on the ceiling. He pulls himself down from there and dies in Chris' arms. And with that, Chris is in for a whole world of trouble - or should that be another whole world of trouble!
Only a show like Peacemaker could get away with killing off a Peacemaker in the season premiere. Of course, we know that our version of the character is still alive, but the big death at the end of the episode will have major repercussions. It also drives home a point that was made early on in the episode when Peacemaker said that guys like him die of old age, surviving all of the horrible things that are thrown their way. Well, because of Peacemaker himself, his own doppelganger never got that chance.
What this shocking death means for Peacemaker season 2
It's clear that pocket dimensions and alternate universes are going to play a major role in Peacemaker season 2. While the first season was more about extra-terrestrial threats, that matched the overarching theme of the DCEU. But season 2 seems to mirror the overarching DC Universe arc of the dangers of pocket dimensions, picking up where Superman left off.
We saw Frank Grillo reprise his Superman role as Rick Flag Sr., where it was revealed that he held Peacemaker responsible for the death of his son (another DCEU storyline that will seemingly remain intact) so he has chosen to monitor him at all costs. But that personal vendetta seems to line up with his concerns about the dangers of alternate universes and pocket dimensions, after one tore through the fabric of Metropolis in Superman.
Peacemaker's run-in with his doppelganger will no doubt give Flag all the ammo he needs to go after him as the death of the other Peacemaker will likely bring his family to the DCU's world. And with that, a whole heap of dangers could follow - once again highlighting that everyone in the DCU (including Lex Luthor and Peacemaker) really need to leave pocket dimensions alone!
Peacemaker season 2 streams new episodes on HBO Max every Thursday.