‘Doom Patrol’ Season 4 Episode 3 Review: Nostalgia Patrol

After a strong two-episode premiere, the third episode of Doom Patrol’s fourth season is a slight step down in quality as the show slips back into the familiar writing habits of the previous seasons. Despite featuring an intriguing premise, this episode’s subplots split the screen time between slower individual character scenes and the entertaining adventures of the rest of the team.

As previously mentioned, “Nostalgia Patrol” features a creative central premise that feels right at home with the zany tone of the show. The concept of characters being trapped in a TV show has been previously used in parts of last season’s “Subconscious Patrol” episode as well as Marvel’s Wandavision. However, this episode’s approach does not feel like a retread of these ideas. 

Through the show’s utilization of stylistic editing, costuming, and set design, this episode feels like Doom Patrol’s unique approach to the familiar concept. The writers’ choice to have the characters move through many genres of movies and television allows for the pacing of the episode to move along quickly. It was quite impressive that the show manages to make the feel of each genre distinct and unique. By featuring scenes ranging from the romance genre to horror, these sequences were always entertaining.

After more than three seasons together, audiences now share the attachment the Doom Patrol members have for each other. The care and love that the team members have for each other feels earned. As the characters come to terms with these strong bonds they have developed, this season feels like the satisfying culmination of the past few years of the show. This is best showcased in the scene where Rita declares her love for her fellow team members, which is an emotional high point of this episode.

Doom Patrol is at its strongest when it focuses on the ensemble cast and allows them to play off one another. This is proven once again this week as the episode focuses on the dynamic duo of Jane and Cliff. Watching the pair navigate the horror movie setting was a standout part of the episode. Whether they are bonding over a shared love of Top Gun or hiding in a closet from a “creepy kid”, whenever these two characters share a screen it is a real highlight. It is clear that Diane Guerrero and Riley Shanahan have grown very comfortable as scene partners as the two play off each other quite nicely. A special shoutout to Shanahan whose subtle physical acting choices not only make Robotman’s movements feel real but oftentimes hilarious. 

However, the strengths of this episode also emphasize the weaker elements. In previous seasons, the writers have often separated Joivan Wade’s character, Victor Stone, from the rest of the cast. It often seems as if they feel the only way to develop Vic’s character is to isolate him from the Doom Patrol with his own subplot. This episode follows him as he attempts to reconnect with the friends that he had before he became a superhero. 

Featuring a heavy amount of exposition to establish the bond of this old friend group, the scenes with Vic and his friends are not effective as the audience has never seen these characters before this point. Victor’s journey of self-discovery this season may be a natural progression of the character’s arc but the subplot drags down the show by splitting the screen time between an entertaining main plot and a less interesting subplot. It remains to be seen whether this storyline will eventually bring Vic closer to the rest of the team, but this week’s episode feels unfocused as a result.

It is also worth noting that like the majority of the show, this episode does feel more character-driven than plot-driven. The main plot of the season takes a back seat to the character work in this week’s episode. However, the show’s dedication to crafting such well-rounded characters is perhaps the show’s greatest strength as it keeps the audience invested in characters we have grown to love. In a show with many fantastical elements, these human characters keep the show grounded.  

It will definitely be interesting to see how the show continues to develop these character relationships as the season continues. 

Doom Patrol is currently streaming on HBO Max with new episodes debuting every Thursday.