Let’s start with the obvious: peacemaker is back, and he brought jazz hands. James Gunn’s extremely expected second season of ‘Peacemaker’ begins with the most ridiculous brilliant opening sequence yet – a new dance routine that is so wonderfully absurd, and it is somehow an overall iconic intro of season. It is a moment of pure chaotic joy, where every movement feels like it says: “Yes, this show is still completely untouched, thank you for asking.” John Cena, as Chris Smith, alias Peacemaker, is once again the abundant heart of the series-emoccerably astounding, morally conflict and deliciously dense. But what Cena is doing so well, and still doing here is to bring a surprising amount of tenderness to a character that someone once shot for peace. He draws the line between a lovely idiot and traumatized anti-hero with more fineness than you would expect from a man who once carried a chrome toilet chair on his head. Now, after the juicy pieces – the Justice Gang Cameo. We were introduced to them in Superman, and here, when the door opened to reveal white rabbit who uses it from a meeting, it is really hilarious. The mere absurdity of these moments is classic gunn: stupid, self -conscious and never too cool to mock himself. Sean Gunn appears as Maxwell Lord, and honestly, he is wonderfully limp. Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern? Inspired cast. Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl is sharp, fierce and wonderfully sarcastic. Together they form a temporary team that should not work – and yet they do somehow, as we have seen in ‘Superman’. And talk of not work – but also somehow work – is Freddie Stroma’s vigilance. He is still the most frightening cinnamon roll on television. Equal parts beautiful and deadly, he is still the kind of friend who would bake a cake for you and then kill a man with it. Jennifer Holland returns as Emilia Harcourt, and she is fantastic. One striking scene shows how she was diagnosed with toxic masculinity by her therapist (yes, really), which leads to a sincere emotional unraveling that both hilarious and deeply affects. Harcourt’s bow feels more complicated, and Holland all delivers it with a strong charm and just the right amount of emotional vulnerability. The most important plotline of the show focuses on Chris, through the inter-dimensional weapon stash of his father, and finds a parallel universe in which he is a beloved superhero with his long-dead brother and an even father. It’s strange, a little fancy and a smart way to unpack the trauma peacemaker, as it is attached to his biceps. James Gunn, as always, deals with shows like a master juggler on a trampoline. His comedy remains subtle and yet he mixes the various universes (Arkham, Metropolis, Belle Reve) with his own fresh madness in a way that does not feel like a recharge – more like a course correction by chaos. To summarize: ‘Peacemaker’ season two is back, it’s brave, it’s strange, and if this first episode is something to pass, we are another delicious, emotional sincere and dance-heavy ride. Just to repeat, Jennifer Holland is wonderful, and her badass boss Lady Energy deserves his own spin-off. Or at least her own dance number. Check out the first suspension ‘Peacemaker’ season two on Jiohotstar and Disney+.
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