It’s a bit of a somber and reflective week for Doom Patrol in the aftermath of “Finger Patrol” and its charged final minutes. “Space Patrol” is a heavy episode with both a presentation of consequence an unsettling character dissection. And the laughs that are here are designed to make you uncomfortable. We’re dumping five thoughts on “Space Patrol” down the well that is the internet so remember, as always, beware of spoilers.
1. A Trip Down Memory Lane
“Space Patrol” takes two opportunities for callbacks to the first season of Doom Patrol. It’s fun to see the moment of realization with the Cloverton Players. But it’s Vic giving a brief explanation of the team’s exploits that truly encapsulate how it feels to watch this show. “How weird do you want me to get?” A pocket universe in a donkey, a word-ending cult, a world-saving cut, a secret government branch that housed a pack of flesh-eating butts will do just fine, I reckon. Man, it’s been quite the ride with this show.
2. Our Town!
Rita’s story, which sees her acting in a theatrical rendition of the pilot episode, caps off with an unexpected moment that shakily makes its landing. The lack of acting skills in Isabel Feathers belies the deep understanding of the characters in “Our Town!” that she possesses. As she describes the character of Rita like a page straight out of the show bible Rita is forced to face herself, a true and accurate representation of her at her very core. This moment isn’t just on the nose, it smashes your nose in with an old boot. That said, April Bowlby uses sheer facial emoting to make you feel that knife twist in her. And, credit given to Charity Cervantes for acting the hell out of a bad actor character.
3. Wax Job
Big-girl wishes have big-girl consequences as Jane’s personalities put two of their own to rest after Candlemaker’s attack. All of the emotional weight of “Space Patrol” lies in this plot and it plays out well. Seeing Babydoll and the fire-persona bite the dust was a shocking moment and it is good to see the outcome handled with gravitas while still asking the obvious question of can these pieces of Jane even die, through Jane herself. I don’t trust that the Miranda persona even is Miranda, but we will have to wait and see what this suspicion amounts to.
4. Gravity, what a treat!
Didn’t we all feel bad for initially laughing at Zip and Specs this week? Doom Patrol is so adept at roping you in under false pretenses and then just kicking you in the nuts. Their introduction reminds me of Flex Mentallo’s in the way they are presented like characters on a 1950s sci-fi show, over-the-top cheesiness uninhibited. By their third appearance in “Space Patrol” though it is clear that something is wrong. The husks that are Zip and Spec quickly become a disturbing part of this week’s episode as we learn what they truly are, and see them buried. Farewell you smooth little pips, you hotshots, you whizzes.
5. Benevolent Genius Niles Caulder
The stinger of “Space Patrol” feels a little neutered if you bother to watch the preview of next week. Nonetheless, it has as much punch as seeing Candlemaker lay waste to the Underground’s denizens when we see Chief blast Cliff out of the airlock of their space ship.
Only time–seven days, specifically–will tell us exactly how Cliff gets back to Earth in one piece and we can expect to learn more about the Candlemaker in “Dumb Patrol.” And from there it is a count-down to the end of this shorter season of Doom Patrol. Maybe we’ll get lucky though and get to see Dorothy playing dress-up with Rita’s skin.
