IR TV Review: PEACEMAKER - EPISODE 8 (“It’s Cow Or Never”) [HBO Max]

The season finale (Episode 8) of "Peacemaker" entitled "It's Cow Or Never" speaks to the culmination of the first step in what may be [Peacemaker] Chris' transformation or movement towards self destruction. While it doesn't contain the emotional kick or texture of the previous episode, it creates an interesting Id in the aftermath. Whereas Vigilante's chicanery did overshadow certain elements most of the season. the depth of which Peacemaker now has to deal with on a psychosis level is now two-fold. Beyond dealing with his inadequacies in a social context, it can now become something even more disturbing in his head. And his decision making process isn't the brightest anyway. The push and pull of Harcourt as well and how that could almost create jealousy in Vigilante is another wrinkle that could turn into a tear.

The great thing about this last episode is how it spreads the wealth around to all the characters, despite how awkward and inept at times they all might be. The irony is that sometimes Peacemaker's base instinct are right. There is an interesting reveal towards the end but it definitely does work since it thumbs its nose at PG ratings which is sort of nice. James Gunn of course likes his music fight sequences (he directed this episode) but oddly enough the culmination of the episode has something to say both heartfelt but also seemingly with a "Spaceballs" reference which points to irony. "Peacemaker" in this season ends in much of the way it began: with a bunch of idiots trying to do their job who may be able to squeak by but possibly have messed things up more than they fixed them. B

By Tim Wassberg