After four incredible seasons, DC’s craziest, boldest, and most charming series is coming to an end. Over the past years, these obscure characters have gone from complete nobodies to some of the most well-developed characters of the DC universe. The exceptional writing and committed performances from the cast have endeared this dysfunctional team of superheroes to the audience. Whether you are ready to say goodbye or not, the creative team behind Doom Patrol delivers the beautiful sendoff that this team deserves.
Picking up on the plot of the Doom Patrol slowly losing their immortality, the second half of the season begins with each of the characters grappling with the threat of losing their longevity. The season picks up where the last episode left off, with Vic, Cliff, and Jane traveling into Orqwith to rescue Larry. Meanwhile, Rita and Rouge struggle with their own way to facing Immortus.
If you thought that after four seasons, there were no unique premises left for the series to explore, you would be wrong. The remaining episodes of Season 4 deliver an even spread of plot-focused episodes, character-driven endeavors, and simply creative storytelling. When all is said and done, the final season delivers one last dose of everything that audiences have grown to love about Doom Patrol.
A personal favorite is the ninth episode entitled “Immortimus Patrol”. This wild episode stands out through its willingness to commit wholeheartedly to the premise. The series has always shined because of its willingness to embrace the nonconformity, it thrives in the unexpected, and this episode is no exception. It is silly and so much fun but also allows the writers to explore a different side of the protagonists. It still furthers the plot but does so in a unique way.
These episodes all lead to a truly spectacular finale. Without giving anything away, the series finale is one of the best of the show’s entire run and stays true to what it does best. Doom Patrol has never been a traditional formulaic superhero series, and this finale stays true to this identity. Prioritizing its character-driven roots, rather than attempting to set up an exciting action-packed conclusion. The writers effectively wrap the series up in a way that gives each protagonist a satisfying ending that will leave audiences fulfilled yet intensely emotional. If you think you are ready to say goodbye to these characters, you are not.
The success of this series can be attributed to the talented cast who embody these off-the-wall characters with full commitment. While the entire main cast shines, the true standout for this second half includes April Bowlby’s portrayal of Rita Farr who is given a comprehensive character arc and meaningful interactions with each member of the team. Bowlby brings a sense of realism to the role that allows the audience to understand Rita. Brendan Fraser continues to bring the perfect blend of comedy, anger, and emotion to the role of Robotman and is even given one last in-person performance as Cliff Steele to shine. Lastly, the series benefits from the addition of Michelle Gomez’s Madame Rouge to the team. It is truly remarkable how well Gomez gels with the main cast, matching the wit and charm that the others have brought to the series for many years.
These performances allow the series to pay off many of the character relationships that the writers have built over the past years. It is particularly satisfying to see how core relationships such as the loving friendship between Larry and Rita and the unlikely bond between Cliff and Jane conclude. It is also worth noting that some of the best scenes are when the ensemble cast of characters are allowed to play off one another, whether this is at dinner or in a peculiar situation. These strong yet meticulously developed character relationships are yet another reason why the final season feels so rewarding.
While this emphasis on character development makes the series stand out, it does bring along some downsides. This becomes particularly noticeable when it comes to the inclusion of new characters such as Casey Brinke and Mister 104. Despite their interesting backstories and great chemistry with the main cast, these characters seem to enter and disappear without explanation. These characters almost seem to be solely defined by their relationships to the Doom Patrol. While this keeps the focus on the protagonists, it would have been interesting to see a bit more without drawing attention away from the main cast.
Another stumble of the final season is its primary antagonist: Immortus. The series subverts expectations with its unique interpretation of the character. While they take some getting used to, Immortus brings some intimidation and grave danger to the Doom Patrol. They are not a particularly strong villain but the series has always focused more on building up the internal conflicts of the protagonists rather than developing the external antagonists.
Delivering one last perfect blend of character arcs, craziness, and humor, Season 4 of Doom Patrol comes to a close in a satisfying and rewarding way. Despite some shortcomings in writing, the season delivers a rewarding journey for each member of the team. When the credits begin to roll at the end of the series, audiences are left with a sense of gratitude for the journey we have embarked on with these characters. There may never be another series quite like Doom Patrol, and that is okay.
Doom Patrol returns to Max for its final episodes on October 12, 2023.
Delivering one last perfect blend of character arcs, craziness, and humor, Season 4 of Doom Patrol comes to a close in a satisfying and rewarding way. Despite some shortcomings in writing, the season delivers a rewarding journey for each member of the team. When the credits begin to roll at the end of the series, audiences are left with a sense of gratitude for the journey we have embarked on with these characters. There may never be another series quite like Doom Patrol, and that is okay.
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GVN Rating 9
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I’m Andrew! I love discussing movies and tv shows. My favorite genres include animation, musicals, and especially Superheroes.