IR TV Review: DOOM PATROL - EPISODE 12 (“Done Patrol”) [Max-S4]
The context of a finale rests in the fact of absolutes. Leaving certain paths open and others closed is a way of life. With the series finale episode of "Doom Patrol" entitled "Done Patrol", it relates in the ideas of what needs to be, what paths the characters need to choose and ultimately not why but how they do it. The episode starts off in the normal "end of the world" mode while the endgame is not clear. The question of path from that moment on (with actual production) is unknown or if there was additional shooting done after the fact (after the mid season finale in December 2022] to make the ending what it needed to be. The ending structure of the show is pretty powerful in what it shows but the time it maintains is important. Everyone has their path but it speaks to what they really wanted from the beginning, save for one (but even she does what she thought she should do).
Despite much of the darkness and selfish nature of the characters even until the bitter end, there is a sense of redemption and transcendence whether it is finite or infinite. Destiny is a fickle beast and there is much left open in many ways but truth has a way of moving through. But despite a beautiful show being done so soon, it is still quite refreshing that it was allowed to happen at all. Even though "Peacemaker" might be a little more accessible, "Doom Patrol" always came off much weirder and heartfelt which was to its credit. The glue of all the seasons was Diane Guerrero and then April Bowlby as Jane and Rita respectfully. Guerrero had the harder job but was allowed to be rough around the edges. Bowlby as Rita was able to mask her characters pain behind a sense of performance which made it even more tragic and ironic.
Both Brendan Fraser and Matt Bomer and their respective performance doubles did a hell of a job selling both ends of what is a one/two performance and yet still brought that sense of humanity when they physically did show up on scene. The scene a couple episodes ago where Fraser danced with his robot body was existential if nothing else. Jovian Wade as Victor/Cyborg often got the shorter end of the stick since he was a more conventional character and reasonably well adjusted. Michelle Gomez who came in, in a way. when Timothy Dalton departed did what she could but was more a sounding board, despite some great acting. Other characters came and went but the one that is left to bear is still the most powerful, next to Jane...but anything can happen...though with the new DC, it likely won't. That said, be thankful for the "Doom Patrol" we did have. A
By Tim Wassberg
