Peacemaker – The Ties That Grind review S2 E1
The Ties That Grind marked Peacemaker’s “official” official foray into the new DC Films Universe timeline after the very well-received Superman.
James Gunn returns to write and direct season 2. For viewers worried Gunn might have softened his edge after the largely family-friendly Superman, those fears are quickly put as ease. The Ties That Grind features an onslaught of f-bombs, cocaine snorting (by the “hero”) and even an orgy.
Peacemaker is in all regards not intended for younger viewers. Still, an argument could be made that The Ties That Grind is actually a far more compelling watch when Gunn is less indulgent with all the things you shouldn’t do for a superhero series.
By the 50th f-bomb, it loses its impact, but Peacemaker actually confronting his childhood trauma in a different way? That’s good to great TV especially with star John Cena determined to take this fourth tier DC character into the upper echelon of live-action anti-heroes like Deadpool and Harley Quinn.
First, Gunn has to do a little tidying up before getting underway with Ties That Grind . The Season 1 finale featured an unexpected cameo by Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash. Those characters along with some elements of Season 1 aren’t canon in this new DC Films continuity requiring a retcon cleverly executed in the “previously on Peacemaker” recap.
Now Leota (Danielle Brooks) makes the call to have the Justice Gang come in for reinforcements. While largely in silhouettes like the Justice League was, it’s easy to make out Mr. Terrific, Superman and Supergirl alongside the visible on-screen duo of Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) and Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced). They have a brief exchange much like Aquaman and Flash and we’re all caught up.
Ties That Grind kicks off with Peacemaker/Christopher Smith (Cena) going into the portal his very racist father, The White Dragon (Robert Patrick) created to access his equipment. It also connects to other worlds like one Chris stumbles into where his father is a revered hero teaming with Peacemaker and his very much alive older brother Keith (David Denman). That’s a shock for Chris who hurriedly flees back into his world.
Fast forward six months and Chris is nervously anticipating his interview to join the Justice Gang. Leota gives him a ride to the recruitment office providing a quick reminder of the fun dynamic between Cena and Brooks. Peacemaker arrives just in time to see The White Rabbit (Brey Noelle) crying as she leaves her interview.
The White Rabbit is an incredibly deep cut for a random cameo character showing Gunn’s legit knowledge of DC beyond the obvious characters.
Justice Gang financer Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn) is leading the auditions along with a very bored Hawkgirl and Green Lantern. They don’t realize that the mic is not turning off so Chris can hear all the side comments they’re making in “private.” This bit was spoiled in the trailers, so it doesn’t have the same impact actually watching Ties That Grind, but it’s still a funny cameo from the Justice Gang.
Peacemaker’s Task Force X partner, Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) is also having a rough time carving out a new path. She’s been blackballed from various alphabet organizations and isn’t taking it well.
For obvious reasons, Gunn makes sure his wife has a sizable role in the series but Harcourt’s bad attitude and horrible temper don’t add much to the season premiere. Largely because there’s nothing new here and it’s the same old beats Harcourt played last season.
A more engaging subplot for Ties That Grind shows Argus commander General Rick Flag (Frank Grillo) is keeping tabs on Christopher . He knows Peacemaker killed his son, Rick Flag Jr., but can’t pin anything on him until he does something else stupid. That something stupid arrives when Chris pulls out some cocaine and emerges from his high to wake up and find an orgy playing out in his apartment.
Ties That Grind probably didn’t need so much full-frontal nudity on display and certainly not so long to convey the point that Chris is at a low point. It feels like one of those deals where Gunn would have come up with something more creative with some restraints but without any, he just does whatever comes to mind even if it’s not in service of the story.
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Flag’s right hand agent Sasha Boudreaux (Sol Rodriguez) questions having Peacemaker’s Task Force X teammate, Economos (Steve Agee), being the one tasked to keep tabs on Chris. Her intuition proves right as Economos warns Leota that Argus is onto Chris tapping into interdimensional portals.
Chris ditched the orgy to go to that alternate world where Gunn name checks another DC villain in The Ultra Humanite. Bummed out and not in a rush to leave this quiet reality, Chris is shocked to see Keith in person as they’re both greeted by their father. In this world, Auggie is a kind and loving father — a stark difference from Chris’ experience on his world. Chris likes this actual what if reality right up until the actual Peacemaker shows up wondering why this stranger is looking at a picture of him and his ex, Harcourt.
Not trying to have a long, drawn-out explanation, Chris tries to run off to the portal, but Peacemaker (Earth 2?) chases after him beating him down with his superior technology. Chris manages to get in a lucky shot, which sends Peacemaker 2 through a spike in the ceiling. That’s not good for Peacemaker 2, but for Chris? This might actually provide him with a means of living the kind of life he couldn’t even dare hope to dream about.
That is a really compelling season long plot. If Gunn can ease off the obscene elements even a bit, this really has some potential.
Ties That Grind comes in hot with the bloody brawls and boobs, but a far more captivating story lies underneath — one that could make for a very engaging second season of Peacemaker.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Catch up on the series with Peacemaker Season 1 on Blu-Ray at Amazon.
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