Hasitha Fernando reviews the sixth episode of Doom Patrol…
A potential Apocalypse was successfully averted. But our disparate group didn’t survive it completely unscathed. Some are broken within and others without. Dr. Caulder is once again missing, snatched away from them by the devious Mr. Nobody and they were unable to stop him. In a last-ditch effort to save Dr. Caulder, Cyborg discharges his hand-cannon which malfunctions, causing irreparable damage to the surroundings and himself. Despite vocal objections, Cliff contacts Silas Stone to attend on Victor. The erstwhile episode concluded ominously with Mr. Nobody manifesting to Crazy Jane, suggesting she locate the original Doom Patrol…
Our band of misfits are wondering what to do next. For lack of a better idea Jane suggests they follow the ‘lead’ given to them by their nemesis. The original Doom Patrol turn out to be an old Superhero team from the ‘50’s who have since disbanded. One of its members, Steve Dayton (Will Kemp) was an old flame of Elasti-Woman back in the day. Unable to come to a unanimous agreement an exasperated Jane snatches Rita and Larry and teleports with the duo to the original Doom Patrol’s last known location. There they meet its members Steve Dayton / Mento, a smooth-talking millionaire with psychic powers; Arani Desai (Jasmine Kaur) a woman who possesses control over elements and claims to be Caulder’s wife; Rhea Jones (Lesa Wilson), a woman with electromagnetic abilities; and Joshua Clay (Allimi Ballard), their metahuman caretaker. Back at Doom Manor the angst-ridden Robot-man tries to find more details about her daughter online. Failing dismally, he approaches Cyborg for assistance.
Initially refusing to help Cliff, Victor later has a change of heart after learning that Cliff was instrumental in convincing Silas to give him some space. Meanwhile, Jane discovers that Caulder assembled and led the original Doom Patrol, but they separated after suffering a horrendous defeat in the hands of Mr. Nobody. Soon Jane, Larry and Rita start reliving dark traumatic events from their past. It is later revealed that these ‘visions’ as well as the original Doom Patrol being young and running a school for super-powered children, are all part of an illusion projected by a medicated Steve Dayton. In reality, all three of them are old invalids living in a run-down manor. After Rita calms Steve, the illusion dissipates momentarily and our trio escape the ordeal and return back to Doom Manor.
This episode further explores the dark secrets and painful moments each member has tucked away in their closets. Early on, we are shown a flashback involving a fallen-from-grace Rita trying desperately to secure a job at an agency. A sleazy film producer tries to take advantage of Rita’s vulnerability and pays dearly for it, with his life. I know this scene sounds cliché but it still remains more relevant than ever; especially in the wake of the scandals that have come to light in Hollywood recently. Sexual predators in the film industry is very real. And what is more unsettling is, that the likes of Bryan Singer, Harvey Weinstein or Kevin Spacey were able to go scot-free all these years in spite of these allegations.
The toll a certain traumatic event takes on an individual is explored again and again in this TV series. As such the original Doom Patrol members were all clearly torn apart by the horrific events orchestrated by Mr. Nobody- he is NOT someone you mess around with. I will not get into explicit detail with regard to the ‘event’ in question but suffice to say it’s quite twisted and very Mr. Nobody.
We also see a shift in the father-son dynamic of Victor and Silas as the latter acknowledges his son’s growth as an individual and starts respecting the decisions he’s taken thus far as an adult. In the end Victor pushes his suspicions aside as he lovingly embraces the patriarch. A gesture that he has finally decided to trust him, despite having trust issues previously.
As a TV series Doom Patrol doesn’t shy away from tackling mature subject matter, seldom explored in your typical Superhero fares. And that is one of its’ strong suits…Let’s see what the next instalment has in store for us.
