Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (January 20, 2021)
One of the crazier DC superhero series, this 2-disc set presents all nine of Doom Patrol Season Two’s episodes. The plot synopses come from the package’s insert.
Fun Size Patrol: “The Doom Patrol – along with Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton) and his daughter Dorothy (Abigail Shapiro) – are still
mini-sized.”
A weird and wild collection of shows, I really liked S1 of Doom Patrol, so I looked forward to S2. As a season-launcher, “Fun Size” seems a little slow, but it doesn’t become a bad episode.
To some degree, it catches us up with the characters and sets up future narrative threads. While not a particularly scintillating show, “Fun Size” turns into a generally engaging opener.
Tyme Patrol: “Cliff Steele (Brendan Fraser), Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero) and Rita Farr (April Bowlby) pursue a time-altering doctor (Brandon Perea).”
For much of the episode’s first half, we remain in somber plot exposition mode ala “Fun Size”, and this made me worry that we’d never recapture the weird nuttiness of S1. Once the crew goes after Doctor Tyme, though, we get back into the series’ swing of things. “Tyme” mixes the wacky and the dramatic in a satisfying manner.
Pain Patrol: “Larry Trainor (Matt Bomer) is taken prisoner by a Red Jack (Roger Floyd), a villain who feeds on pain.”
Though that synopsis implies the confrontation with Red Jack will dominate “Pain”, much of it digs into character elements. These develop pretty well, even if the episode tends to feel a little unfocused.
Sex Patrol: “Rita asks Flex Mentallo (Devan Chandler Long) to help her unleash her full potential.”
The return of Flex and others connected to Danny helps get Doom back to the trippier tone of Season One, and I appreciate that. The series tends to work best when it embraces its quirky side, and much of S2 so far opted for a more somber tone. The giddier tone of “Sex” makes it a winner.
Finger Patrol: “Dorothy Spinner befriends Baby Doll (Diane Guerrero) – until playtime goes awry.”
After the crazed action of “Sex”, “Finger” becomes more introspective. While I prefer the nuttier shows, I appreciate the step back in tone after the shenanigans of the prior show, and “Finger” manages to advance some character domains well.
Space Patrol: “Dorothy goes missing, and Niles’ old team returns from space.”
The titular astronauts add some of the series’ quirky silliness, but much of “Space” remains more dramatic. The two sides blend pretty well and turn this into another effective show, one that manages the various narrative elements in a positive way.
Dumb Patrol: “The Doom Patrol embrace their inner morons.”
That theme sounds inspired, and the episode does generate some fun. However, given the giddy highs the series can reach, the title notion doesn’t live up to expectations. “Dumb” offers a good show, but it doesn’t quite sizzle like I’d hoped it would.
Dad Patrol: “Cliff gives father-daughter bonding with Clara (Bethany Anne Lind) his best shot.”
With only one more episode to go in S2, “Dad” builds toward climax/resolution. Given this year’s generally subdued nature – one built more around family/relationships – “Dad” follows that trend. It turns into an effective push toward the season’s finale.
Wax Patrol: “Dorothy makes a fateful choice.”
Given that we see Cliff fight a profane, vengeful, imaginary Jesus, “Wax” occasionally veers into the anarchic tone of S1. However, most of it follows the more somber feel of the rest of S2 – and that’s fine, even if I still miss the crazed chaos of S1.
Once I get past my preference for S1’s attitude, I still find a lot to like about S2. It follows an intriguing path and gives us good character depth, all of which lead me to look forward to Season Three.