Courtesy of HBO Max
I had the opportunity to watch the first five episodes of Season Two of DC’s series Peacemaker, which consists of eight episodes in total. It’s important to note that this review covers only the first five episodes, not the complete season. It’s also worth mentioning that the series is rated for mature audiences and is not suitable for family viewing due to its violence and explicit content.
Photograph by Erin Sintoes/Max
This season begins with Chris “Peacemaker” discovering a parallel universe that appears to represent the life he has always dreamed of living. This discovery becomes the central psychological conflict of the season. After his heroics in Season One and saving the world, what struggles still plague him in his current reality that make him consider abandoning it—along with his friends and loved ones—for another world that seems ideal?
This question forms the core of the story, which intertwines with the events of Season One, The Suicide Squad, and even the latest Superman. While the new season leans heavily into the concept of parallel universes as a gateway to establishing the rebooted DC Universe, this approach creates some narrative confusion. Certain developments feel like retroactive patches to Season One rather than well-structured progressions, at least so far.
Photograph by Jessica Miglio/Max
As a fan of the first season and John Cena’s standout performance in it, I found this season to be weaker up to this point. After an intriguing premiere, the pacing slows significantly, making parts of the show feel dull. Despite solid action sequences, surprise appearances from various DC characters (some well-known, others more obscure), and shocking episode endings—particularly in Episode One—the suspense and narrative momentum feel sluggish.
This slow pacing may negatively impact casual viewers who are less invested in the DC Universe, especially since episodes are being released weekly rather than all at once. While the humor is still present and occasionally effective, many of the jokes feel sillier compared to Season One. This may be due to the heavier emphasis on Peacemaker’s emotional and psychological journey. However, even in this regard, John Cena’s performance—whether portraying joy, sorrow, love, or internal conflict—feels more restrained and less impactful than his excellent work in the first season. Even the opening title sequence, including its music, was stronger in Season One; I honestly wish they hadn’t changed it.
Photograph by Jessica Miglio/Max
On the positive side, Episode Five marks a noticeable improvement. The pacing accelerates, and the narrative tension becomes more compelling. This shift gives me hope that the remaining three episodes could significantly elevate the season, especially considering director James Gunn’s comments about the show’s importance to the future and stability of the new DC Universe. There are hints that bigger surprises and major DC characters may still be in store.
That said, I hope the upcoming developments remain narratively coherent—particularly regarding Peacemaker’s personal storyline. He is the foundation of the series, and the focus should remain on delivering a complete, well-structured character arc rather than relying on cameos or crossovers purely for shock value or to promote other DC projects.
Additionally, each episode includes extra comedic scenes during the end credits—alternate takes of jokes that were not used in the main episode.
Courtesy of HBO Max
In conclusion, the season’s quality so far is average. It is neither outstanding nor poor. Its strengths lie in select action sequences and its slow-burning dramatic build, which still holds the promise of a stronger payoff. However, nothing in these first five episodes distinguishes it from other comic-based series, and Season One remains superior at this stage. We’ll have to wait for the final three episodes to see whether the season can shift from average to exceptional.
The series premieres on August 22 on HBO Max, and unfortunately, there is currently no official distributor for the Arab region. My current rating for the season is:
7/10
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