Doom Patrol Season Three Benefits from its Weirdness

One of the victims of the COVID outbreak, ‘Doom Patrol’ ended season two with a cliffhanger that promised to be a great showdown for season three. However, the showdown between Dorothy and the Candlemaker turned out to be quite anti-climactic. That encounter was more of a negotiation than actual beatdown, but it served its purpose regardless of the lack of burning conflict between Niles Caulder’s daughter, and arguably her most powerful imaginary friend. The conclusion of that story thread left our characters with a moral conundrum: what do you do with Niles Caulder’s dead body?

The death of Niles Caulder was one of the many storylines that highlighted the third season of ‘Doom Patrol’ along with resurrection, undeath, time travel, synthethic skin, the Brotherhood of Evil , and the Sisterhood of Dada. I told you this season was weird. But, that is to be expected of ‘Doom Patrol‘ which has stamped its claim to be one of the most ecclectically disturbing series these days. We also have the appearance of familiar Dead Boy Detectives who help out our heroes to recover from a short case of death (crossing my fingers for a pilot pending).

In spite of all these mishmash of thematic hooks, ‘Doom Patrol’ focuses on the personal relationships of its characters: from Cliff Steele’s grandfather issues to Jane’s issues with her other personalities. Moreover, with the void left by Niles’s demise, there is a need for someone to take the reigns of leadership which fell into the elastic shoulders of Rita Farr. Additionally, this dysfunctional group welcomed, somewhat, a new member to its ranks in the form of Madame Rouge, a former villain turned ally. Madame Rouge adds her own unique personality to the group while also providing Rita with someone she can bond with due to similar interests, and, as shown later, similar backgrounds.

Aside from that, the series is not lacking in personal angst. Far from it. The internal conflicts that characters expereinced over the past two seasons come to a head here with varying resoltuions. For some like that of Victor Stone aka Cyborg, the change can be quite glaring while for others like Larry Trainor, the change was internal. These changes were facilitated in no small part by the Sisterhood of Dada which provided a linchpin to the histories of both Rita Farr and Madame Rouge. In fact, these changes were quite cathartic for the characters to the point that they spurred the ‘Doom Patrol’ forward to unexplored territory: both personally and as a group.

By the end of the season, this band of misfits have embraced their responsibility as heroes. Whether they will be successful with this newfound resolve remains to be seen. All things considered, the direction the ‘Doom Patrol’ has chosen to follow is a fresh change of pace from the denial of their heroic nature in the past two seasons (save for Vic). Will this discovered sense of purpose hold through moving forward? We will have to wait for the next season (which has already been confirmed) to see how this all pans out.

All in all, ‘Doom Patrol’ remains one of the most entertaining shows for streaming, and television altogether. Where else can you find a combination of interpersonal dynamics, super powers, and science/magic fiction in one series? ‘Doom Patrol’ holds through to its classic DC and Vertigo roots. It wears both on its sleeve, and benefits from its reverence greatly. If you have not seen this series, it is not too late to binge watch one of the best comic book series adaptations around.

Sweet Tooth: A Timely Story of Hope during a Pandemic

This is a story of Gus. Gus is a hybrid. He is part human, and part deer. This can be seen in his physical features. Gus was born at about the same time as a growing pandemic caused by a virus otherwise known as H5G9. As the virus spreads, no human babies are born and instead hybrids like Gus starting being born. This leads into an interesting question: did the virus cause the hybrids or did the hybrids cause the virus? The question also sets up the story of Gus and the virus in this timely and heartwarming story of ‘Sweet Tooth’.

Vertigo series are truly a great source of story telling and ‘Sweet Tooth’ is another perfect example of it. The comic book was written by Jeff Lemire, and its adaptation to Netflix is as much timely as it is relevant Though ‘Sweet Tooth’ is set in a fantasy world, you could easily relate to it considering the current socio-economic landscape of the world today. People wearing masks. Fear of a virus. Fear of going outside homes. Deaths from the virus. Environmental renewal. These are all perfectly relevant themes that are also at the storytelling core of this beautiful Netflix series.

SWEET TOOTH (L to R) CHRISTIAN CONVERY as GUS in episode 101 of SWEET TOOTH Cr. Kirsty Griffin © 2021

Joining Gus on his journey is Big Man, a former hunter of hybrids who has changed his point of view. Together they form an mirrored Lone Wolf and Cub relationship that creates an interesting dynamic for the series. Later on, the pair is joined by a hybrid protector known as Bear. Both Big Man and Bear help Gus on his hero’s quest to find his long lost mother. This all happens while society crumbles around them, and the threat of the Last Men looms like a sinister shadow above their heads. The presence of the Last Men adds a further wrinkle to Gus’s quest. They represent the racist elements in society who view hybrids as a blight. As such, these Last Men hunt hybrids down in order to restore the supremacy of the human race.

In spite of the pandemic and racism present in his surroundings, Gus has continued to shine in his optimism towards life, and it can be infectious. He knows he is hunted. He knows the world out there is dangerous for him. And yet, he maintains the ray of hope that can be infectuous to those around him even with brooding Big Man, or idealistc Bear. Both characters have learned to be more hopeful in Gus’s presence, and this transformation was oftentimes restrained, but could not be denied. Gus is the hope everybody needs in this time of pandemic and racism.

By season’s end, Gus’s hopeful nature and demeanor are put to the test. He feels his world view collapse around him as a new one starts to form. This change in status quo not only affects him, but also his staunch allies Big Man and Bear. And, the series ends challenging the hope that Gus represents. Truly, is hope enough amidst the virus and hate that have overcome society? If we are to trust in Gus, it should be enough. How he continues to be guided by hope is something to look forward to seeing in future seasons of ‘Sweet Tooth’. More so, the series has given enough hope for everyone to follow Gus on his continuing journey of discovery. ‘Sweet Tooth’ is now streaming on Netflix.

24 Hours: a Nightmare of the Dream to Come

A few days ago, it was reported that filming on the Sandman series for Netflix was now on the diner episode as confirmed by Neil Gaiman himself. For those who are familiar with the comic book series, this most undoubtedly has something to do with ’24 Hours’, the sixth issue of the very first arc of Sandman, ‘ Preludes and Nocturnes’. The story of 24 hours takes place in a diner wherein the power of the dreamstone is used in a rather nightmarish fashion.

If it follows the Vertigo series pattern, then this would depict one of the most horrifying issues of the series that put the stamp on Sandman as a modern day horror comic book. This wouldn’t be surprising on the part of Gaiman to pull off to the same effect the comic book did. So far, Gaiman has consistently stayed true to the source material as much as possible as can be seen in his forays in Good Omens and American Gods.

What does this mean for the rest of the production of Sandman? Well, we can only speculate, but if the series follows the comic book pattern as it is hinting, then we will be in for a treat of some of the best horror fantasy stories that Vertigo Comics has to offer. Here’s hoping the Dream comes soon enough.

For now, for those who would like a better idea on what this diner story could look like, there is this fan made movie that shows us what ’24 hours’ is all about. This will have to do until Sandman finally makes its way to Netflix viewing. If the diner scene is as good as the fan film or better, then we will be treated to a dream come true indeed, albeit in nightmare form. Of course,this is what is to be expected of the Dream King.