IR TV Review: DOOM PATROL - EPISODES 7 & 8 (“Orgwith Patrol” & “Fame Patrol”) [Max-S4]
The return and eventual conclusion of "Doom Patrol" is bittersweet but it is a path the characters have been on in a sense in terms of their relevant existence. As the first half of the 4th season concluded very early this year, the concept revolved around the fact that the gang was losing their mortality from a being who was seeking to use their powers to conjure something more. As the second half of the season begins with Episode 7 entitled specifically enough "Orgwith Patrol" as they are trapped in a scissor wielding interdimensional world called Orgwith, certain members have their powers, certain ones can't summon their powers and others are struck behind their own walls. The key with this one is that no one can help who they are, save for Cyborg and his friend who can draw objects and tendencies out of thin air, which is slightly cool but perhaps not done to full effect. Rita (aka Elastigirl) is feeling sorry for herself (as always) even as she screws the pooch per se at the Ant Farm as she and A former foe trying to find answers. Cliff and Jane, the most fun of the group anyway, come at the problem like they have nothing to lose when both of them have the most to lose. Larry (aka Negative Man) pretty much understands the future through the energy being living inside him which brings him as well to the point of forfeiture. The episode ends with an irony but also a sadness as Cliff and Jane find themselves in a supermarket which is anything but.
The second episode of the two part premiere of the latter half of Season 4 is entitled "Fame Patrol" which is more specifically based in an idea of perception and a being that is powerful enough to break through time. Ignorance in the face of this with the Doom Patrol is an interesting bedfellow. However, as usual the voice of reason and the most empathetic is the daughter of the show in Dorothy. She sees everything that the Patrol can't most of the time in how much they need each other especially as they come towards the end. The only person she seemingly can get to at the present moment is Cliff but even he just doesn't realize that she likely knows what is coming. Space Case (a great cameo by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is an interesting character in that she is like Cliff...someone searching for something when everything else is gone. In more ways than one, she is a defacto mother figure whom Dorothy actually needs to lead them in many ways. By the end of this episode, the reasoning why the Doom Patrol is in town overwhelms a force who believes it is in control (though its own ego is fueled by something it can't understand). "Doom Patrol" with these first episodes that move towards its series conclusion does understand the notion of identity though because of the human fallacies of its members. They are on a path to ruin but they always make it look good as they head down the rabbit hole. "Orgwith Patrol": B+ "Fame Patrol": B
By Tim Wassberg
