What I’m Watching: Doom Patrol (Season Finale)

Doom Patrol: Season 1, Episode 15 “Ezekiel Patrol” (B+)

Only on this show would it not seem all that weird for the major villains in the finale to be named Ezekiel the Cockroach and Admiral Whiskers. Mr. Nobody teaming up with them as a way to exact more vengeance on the Chief made some sense, but now there’s the added element of the Chief’s immensely powerful daughter who was able to enlarge them and reveal to Mr. Nobody that his animal allies weren’t actually his friends. I’ve been wondering for so long about how all of these characters are the same age that they were when their disfiguring accidents or otherwise traumatizing incidents occurred, and I’m glad that it was at least partially addressed in this closing hour. How the Chief kept himself young and also presumably did the same with his daughter while he was using his test subjects remains a mystery, but I’ll take what we have at this point. The backstories of how each of them was made part of the program as a result of the Chief’s interventions were extremely enlightening and also rather depressing. Seeing Rita as an acting teacher and Larry working hard with the negative spirit was optimistic, while Cliff got food every day to leave for the spiraling Jane. Once they decided to step up and go into the painting, it was fascinating to see everything shift as Rita acted like she meant it and convinced Mr. Nobody to narrate the story in a way that would help get them free. Emerging with the Chief’s daughter but pint-sized except for Larry is a problem to be explored another time, and I so hope that DC Universe commissions a second season. This is one of the most creative and immersive shows I’ve seen in a while, and I’ll continue to recommend it to anyone I meet looking for an intriguing and fascinating show.

Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Everyone!