What I’m Watching: Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol: Season 1, Episode 10 “Hair Patrol” (B-)

This was the least interesting hour to me thus far, only because it spent so much time in the past in a way that wasn’t really related to what’s been happening for a while with all of the characters. I think it’s actually the longest that we’ve seen the Chief on screen, as we’re able to understand how he came around to the idea that anymore, no matter how prickly or unseemly on the exterior, is worthy of a second chance. That journey took a long time, and I feel like we knew already that he was open-minded and didn’t see eye-to-eye with the Bureau of Oddities. I’m not sure what to make of Ernest Franklin’s Beard Hunter, who seems infinitely more cartoonish than any of the other complicated, antisocial superheroes that are prominently featured on this show every week. The way in which he was able to track people was pretty revolting, far more so than Rita turning into a blob to roll over a whole town. Having Mr. Nobody reveal himself as the invader of the Chief’s memories at the end of the episode before preparing to torment Ernest grounded it all back in a way that I hope will make the next episode more enticing. I did like that we got to stick with what happened while Cliff was inside Jane’s head as Vic and Rita found themselves at a loss for how to handle their latest obnoxious intruder. Let’s get the gang back together and have them deal with their own dynamics – they’re more than worthwhile all on their own.