DC Universe Series "Doom Patrol" (2019)

This conversation was previously started in the "Titans" thread but since the show has been doing exceptionally well, people want to talk about it and it has already been renewed, I figured it needed a thread.

The original discussion started here.

Thank you OP for starting a separate thread for this show. It's pretty fun. A donkey's mouth being a door to a different world or dimension? Cray-cray.

Thanks, OP, I was hours away from creating this thread because it was so tedious to have to discuss it in the Titans thread. The first season of that show was good, but this one is better, in my opinion.

Had no idea it was renewed already, great news!

R3, HEY THERE! Yeah, this show's start has been way better than Titans. I agree.

Multiple outlets said that DC had already renewed the show "quietly" prior to the first season's start.

They did the same with Titans last year and waited until Comic Con to say something during their presentation.

I think that's common, luckily, with these shows from new streaming services.

They finish shooting this season in a couple of weeks (ahead of schedule) and they should be right back at it around August of this year or even earlier.

Great news, that it's already been renewed!

I really enjoyed episode three. Emotional (especially Larry's segments) and bonkers insane. Jane is a powerhouse! Their Cyborg really is fantastic and Rita is growing on me.

Frasier's voice work continues to be great, too.

Alec Mapa was hilarious. Wondered what happened to his character.

This show does really well with the actors available/cast.

I've read some negative (even very negative) reviews but I think they're ridiculous. Doom Patrol is clearly trying to fit the theme of mis-social outcast, and some of that requires a randomness or even a sense of tryhard.

Also the promotions are some of the best I've ever seen (like the opposite of the 15s CW network ones; what are the thinking?). Its rare I rewatch a show episode preview several times and laugh every time.

I love Doom Patrol 2 episodes in, and it looks like it'll just get better.

I'm reminded of some (former) Hollywood actors/A-listers having damn good voices for things like video games. I'd take Brendan Fraser for a RPG character voice.

So, according to episode three, the hospital staff died when they treated Larry after his crash, but the military guys (including Larry's lover) didn't when they arrived first on the scene of Larry's airplane crash?

What tv network?

This question was posed in the last thread and there's a response from Matt Bomer in this interview:

[quote][bold]f Larry ever comes to terms with who he is and becomes comfortable with himself, do you think he’ll ever look up and see what happened to his children, or to John?[/bold] BOMER: At this point in time, he doesn’t want to burden them with who he is. He almost feels that it’s easier for them to believe that he’s gone than to try to explain who he is now. The hardest part of it is that he can never remove the bandages and look them eye to eye ‘cause he’s so radioactive. Even if he were to see them, they’d only get to see the mummified version of their dad. But, that could always change. There are still lots of episodes to go.

[quote]So, according to episode three, the hospital staff died when they treated Larry after his crash, but the military guys (including Larry's lover) didn't when they arrived first on the scene of Larry's airplane crash?

It's possible that's because the hospital staff was in close proximity to him longer than the people who grabbed his body they might have died first. As for the other people, they could already be sick but not dead yet. Seems like Larry's lover was dying from radiation poisoning in Mr. Nobody's torture sequence based on incidents that happened in their lives while the wife was fine (since she left.)

One of the best shows I've seen in recent years. Superheroes movies/tv shows often take themselves too seriously and this one does not. I love every character in the show so far.

Lederhosen and a German accent makes every man look a bit gayer, no? I laughed when those homobots came out to fight. Had no idea Robotman was that strong.

Does anyone know what the reaction to Bomer's flashbacks has been like on the DC / Doom Patrol subreddit?

r6 Alec Mappa brought his A-game with his facial expressions. I was cracking up when he was gorging on a taco and reacting during the Nazi puppet play. It's unfortunate that nobody put hit credit up on IMDb yet, especially when some of the Fuchs' robots with no lines are credited. Him and that fat cat Robotman scratched made my day.

What are their powers?

Watching fat Brendon Frazier try to squeeze into a race car was fucking hilarious...

I have vivid memories of a porn scene set in the late 50s or early 60s that began with two guys in the back of a pickup truck. Coincidence or someone taking the piss?

I guess Willougby Kipling is to John Constantine as Mark Sheppard is to Matt Ryan.

I also enjoy the self-consciously bad promos R7. It's all in your head...

[quote]Alec Mapa was hilarious. Wondered what happened to his character.

Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man was a legit Doom Patrol villain, so seeing him again isn't out of the question.

r16 I'm not familiar with the source material so I thought that coda with Mapa was a joke the show's writers came up, and was sure they'd have the dinosaur bite his head off in the same scene. But no, it's an actual character and I'm amazed by whoever came up with this concept. So ridiculous and yet so fabulous at the same time.

[quote]I'm not familiar with the source material so I thought that coda with Mapa was a joke

Same here. I thought it was a spoof of Guardians of the Galaxy's Groot and Jurassic Park. That's pretty great they included it.

I wish I knew more about the Doom Patrol in order to get the references better, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless.

This is The Doom Patrol comic books I remember reading as a kid. Brings back memories.

"The World's Strangest Super Heroes".

Funky comic book cover.

Honestly, I think even if you're not familiar with the source material, it's safe to assume that just about everything is an Easter egg.

Like a soap opera.

They film this about a quarter of a mile down the street from my job. They film The Resident (with Matt Czuchry ) right across from The Doom Patrol studio

[quote]I wish I knew more about the Doom Patrol in order to get the references better, but it's still enjoyable nonetheless.

The show is doing its own thing, but that said I highly recommend Grant Morrison's run on the comic from the early 90s. It's a wild ride. Your local library might have it. I just looked it up on Amazon to see if it's still in print, and you can get the e-version for free if you have kindle unlimited.

I've read a smattering of the original 60s stories and they're pretty good but a little goes a long way for me. I know almost nothing about the post-Morrison Patrol.

I think this show borrows more from Morrison's version than any other before or since.

If you have DC Universe, you have access to the Morrison issues. The '87 revival is available. Morrison's time starts with #19.

[quote]If you have DC Universe, you have access to the Morrison issues

I was just coming to type this but something tells me that not everyone watching it is actually paying for it.

I'm sure it will be on Netflix towards the end of the series for people outside of the US.

However, the Space channel in Canada will get it as well.

I'm just happy the new streaming networks don't care as much about ratings now as they no doubt will in the future ala Netflix who finally started killing shows that didn't perform well in the past couple of years.

Negative Man

What is the power of the girl with multiple personalities?

Each personality has its own superpower.

Comics, everybody!

In case you wanted a more detailed answer, R29, here are the alters I remember using powers on the show so far:

Hammerhead - super strength Flit - teleportation Silvertongue - manifestation & control of silver Lucy Fugue - electric powers (?) Sun Daddy, Flaming Katy - both have fire-related powers

Jane's various people don't all have useful powers, and some are too damaged to do anything useful in a crisis.

A few significant ones from the comics, who I suspect will appear in future episodes (spoilers obvs): Rain Brain (can turn immaterial), Mama Pentecost (cryptographer), Black Annis (claws, scary af), Sex Bomb (explodes when horny.)

While I'm being needlessly exhaustive...Morrison came up with Crazy Jane after reading the book When Rabbit Howls, the autobiography of a woman with multiple personalities. Check it out, it's a fascinating read, but tough because it gets into childhood abuse. It was turned into a not-bad TV movie starring Shelley Long, seriously.

Sorry about the formatting. Fucking datalounge.

R31 / R29

A crazy tip from Reddit is that most of the time the captions show the name of the personality she has switched to.

Here's a list of (54) of her personalities at the link.

How is Cyborg in Doom Patrol, the Justice League and the Titans?

Because everyone wants to tap that ass.

That was the most Morrison episode yet. I love how the show is embracing the weirdness. I think this version of Baphomet is even weirder than the comics.

Rita sad, no control. Rita mad, budding supherhero. Get mad, girl!

That was so damn kooky, I loved every minute of it! I thought at the beginning that the surreal tone with the donkey would be tied to Mr. Nobody's appearances only. But no, this is it. Should've learned my lesson last week with the Nazi puppetry.

Also, I thought the rest of the season would be focused on the search for Chief. But they introduced a whole different world in this episode and just confidently went with it. I adore Doctor Strange, but I love the non-serious way Kipling does magic even more.

A couple of months ago, I was certain Deadly Class would be my main obsession at this time. But that show isn't grabbing me at all for some reason, and all the while I'm constantly giddy watching this one that I thought for sure would suck. I'm obsessed.

My only issue with Kipling is that he was basically what he is in the comics, a carbon copy of John Constantine who exists because Grant Morrison was forbidden to use Constantine. That's not a bad thing, but I really dislike Mark Sheppard, and didn't think he did the schtick quite as well as Matt Ryan does.

I couldn't get into Constantine because I disliked Ryan's acting so much, and I adore Sheppard, so I guess that's why Kipling worked for me.

I didn't get into the Constantine series because I hated the way the creators approached the character, particularly his bisexuality. Legends of Tomorrow, which has made his guilt over having to sacrifice his boyfriend to save the world the emotional hook of the current seasons, makes him very compelling.

Greg BerlANTI is a lesbophobe and a tr*nscult supporter.

Lesbophobe? There's girl-on-girl action all over the Flarrowverse, plus Riverdale.

r41 tiresome

I finally signed up for DC Universe. Looking forward to catching up on Young Justice and reading the post-Morrison DP comics.

I cheered when that queen got blown up. I'm a grown-ass man but she scared me every time she opened her mouth. And that broad who blew her up struck me as an instant DL icon; like Patsy Stone in her final year. So fab.

Why did Cyborg writhe in pain on the floor when his arm was being rebuilt? Is that process painful for him?

What was the inside joke I am not getting from the two guys in the psych ward where one was saying to the other that the re-creator cult is so much better than the previous one they were in? Is it about the Manson Cult or something?

Didn't he say he had been in several cults previously? I just took it as an explanation of why he was in a sanatorium in the first place.

The kid playing Cyborg is doing a great job. DCWB is dropping the ball (again, always) not doing something (er, anything) with that character. I mean, if they're able to make a small-screen version of him compelling, on the cheap, a better written version with deluxe CGI would be awesome.

The girl playing Crazy Jane is killing it. I'd only seen her on a few episodes of the lady prison show so I had no idea she could act!

Fasier's voice work continues to be a highlight for me.

Agree about the Queen being creepy af, R45. Even before her snowglobe city makeover, she looked like she was barely keeping the crazy train on the tracks.

Next episode looks to be equally weird and entertaining!

The guy who played Elliot was cute.

So cute. I rushed to his Insta but he's very straight, so I didn't stay there very long.

r48 Cyborg's CG looks incredible in this show. I'm glad the technology is finally there to make it look believable. And in HD, no less. Also, he was bulging nicely in those red sweatpants.

Mmmhmm, noticed that bulge too, R50!

The guy playing Mento could get it

Nitpick: I thought Guerrero slipped from her usual standard when playing Doctor Harrison. There were some moments I thought the character was not as distinct as the others. No one's perfect.

Speaking of the little details, I am loving April Bowlby's diction. It's a peeve of mine to hear contemporary voices from period characters. Just all-around great voice work on this show.

I think I prefer the comics resolution to the Decreator problem, which was more elegant and more poignant. But then it could get boring if they slavishly recreated the comics.

Six episodes in and I think I've finally reached my saturation point over how disorganized the team is. Rita and Larry are still hovering on the bench, Cliff and Crazy Jane are on their own mission with Cliff using Jane as a stand-in for their daughter and Cyborg is just stuck trying to figure out next steps. Last week's episode was a good one in that it was very poignant to see a team who has lost their way and that should serve as a warning to this latest incarnation of the Doom Patrol, but I feel the show is treading water.

I believe the show does point out how difficult it is for a group of misfits to really work together as a team. Especially when each misfit has his or her own issues to deal with.

R54 I don't agree. I think they're frequently close to it, but every episode advances something significant. But I really don't need a show where everyone is rushing into trying to be a hero ASAP. I mean, I already got something like that with Agents of SHIELD.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the team disorganised because its main organising agent, Chief, is currently missing?

r57. They were never trained to be a team, and working as a team, saving the world. They were just Chief's pets he took care of and studied.

r58 I see, thanks.

As I don’t have DC Streaming, but was thinking about it (I passed working on, “Swamp Thing” due to family issues), how does this compare to, “Legion”?

I enjoyed learning more about Rita's character in last week's episode and seeing her move forward in her emotional development.

I admit that I'm a bit disappointed that Lodestone and Celcius seem like they'll be wasted characters in the series but I also appreciate that the showrunners didn't introduce them, fixate on them and shove the original characters out of focus for them. Some shows do that and it's annoying af.

I know it's been said, but I'm really enjoying this Cyborg. I hope he stays with DP instead of joining up with The Titans. They need his expertise and moral compass.

He looks sexy in the track suits, too. That helps.

For my tastes, it's better than Legion as Legion tipped from being quirky to being incomprehensible in the second season.  Doom Patrol is lighter, funny and you don't need to stake out at Reddit to gleam insight on what the hell is going on unlike Legion.

I think both shows are terrific but in different ways. One thing I really enjoy about both of them is how they embrace how weird comic books can get.

Legion used the comics as a stepping-off point. It's kind of doing its own thing, with a lot of style and surrealism and increasing opaqueness. It's the more ambitious and inventive show.

DP is more conventional, both in that it's pretty true to the comics and that it hews more closely to the familiar TV framework of an ensemble of likable characters whose personal lives get as much focus as their adventures. In a way it's not so different from Arrow or Supergirl but it's got a lot more panache and confidence, and it's less predictable. It's the more fun show.

Legion is way more artsier and experimental of the two in all regards but entered into the pretentious territory in its second season and so squandered a lot of its goodwill with the critics. I still liked it a lot but I also hope they're able to course correct in its third and final season.

Well that happened. Crazy Cliff was scary but it was satisfying to see the show directly address how horrible his situation is - all of their situations really- instead of him being glib and passive aggressive. Too bad he has to rely on creepy Silas Stone to get that body repaired. Where's Doc Magnus when you need him?

And Jane is even older than I thought. That's interesting. Gonna have to watch again with subtitles on, I don't think I caught all of her alters coming and going.

Next week is Danny Patrol but the teaser gives no hint of how they're handling that. I hope Danny won't be another one-and-done.

Admiral Whiskers and the use of "robotpussy" cracked me up.

[quote]Gonna have to watch again with subtitles on, I don't think I caught all of her alters coming and going.

When she was raging her other alters came out but it only used the device of the field washing over her to show when she switched. It was Hammerhead, Jane and I assume Penny Farthing.

[quote]And Jane is even older than I thought.

In a show filled with oddities that is the most odd to me. IIRC when there was the episode that delved into her background she was the same age during the start or the height of the punk movement. I can understand why Rita and Larry don't age, but not only did the injection Jane received give her alters, but made her stay the same age?

That might have been the best episode to date for me. Mainly because the gay guy got to smooch his man over and over again, and how often does that happen on a superhero show? If I'm not mistaken, he was the only one who got to kiss another person. And so beautifully written as well.

Jane's segment was the weakest, I thought, as it didn't bring anything new to the table. Cyborg saying "axe" instead of "ask" was... unfortunate, although his dating app arc was priceless. Imagine seeing the other person's face of disgust in real time as they see your photo for the first time. Ouch.

I have to pause now and then to marvel at that manor. The Haunting of Hill House, The Umbrella Academy, and now this. They've really perfected shooting manors these days, especially when it comes to the ambient lighting.

I think their longevity will turn out to have some connection to the Chief.

So I just rewatched some of the therapy scenes and realized I need to pay closer attention. Because some of the crap that I thought was coming from Hammerhead was actually coming from Jane. Now I think I need to go back and see if Jane is actually as likable as I thought she was. I thought it was Jane that Cliff likes but maybe it's Baby Doll or The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter.

A bit OT but I've been reading the Silver Age Doom Patrol and Mento was a dick when he first showed up. Hard to believe Rita is going to fall for him.

Mento is cute, so I can see why Rita hooked up with him.

Not sure how cute of a look "Frank Gorshin with an air filter on his head" is. Then again his competition was Cliff, Larry and Niles.

I meant the actor on the show who plays Mento. Will Kemp is actually British and a classically trained ballet dancer (Royal Ballet School and lead dancer for Matthew Bourne's dance troupe). Will was the lead in the male version of Swan Lake.

I don't like the melting Rita thing. The books she was a giant - has she done that yet? Crazy Jane is a cool concept. Cyborg doesn't fit and Brendon Frazer out of robot man guise makes me feel soooo much better about getting older - He was hot as fuck as a younger actor..now? man. Hard wall

I think they are having her melt because if she became a giant it would just be a cool power with not much struggle.

Maybe she will be a giant or have other abilities near the end of the season

[quote]In a show filled with oddities that is the most odd to me. IIRC when there was the episode that delved into her background she was the same age during the start or the height of the punk movement. I can understand why Rita and Larry don't age, but not only did the injection Jane received give her alters, but made her stay the same age?

I think their ages are pretty easily explained including Jane's without injections. Rita has to keep herself together by sheer force of will and her molecules are probably pretty flexible so I can easily see her not aging. Larry's "Negative Spirit" keeps him alive and locked in his post burn state. One of Cyborg's scenes mention that he doesn't age anymore and he's stuck at the same age because of his robotics. Cliff is a robot.

I think it'd be pretty easy to explain that one of Jane's personalities is protecting her from aging just like they all gather together to protect her from harm. The little girl, original personality, is still in there and she hasn't aged either.

The person who is hardest to explain is Joshua Clay. He was a member of the original Doom Patrol who all look elderly and appropriately their ages. It's obvious there's more to his story and we'll find out later based upon what the Chief's mental projection was saying to him.

[quote]I think they are having her melt because if she became a giant it would just be a cool power with not much struggle.

I agree. I think it's symbolic of her not being able to control her powers yet. She's only properly used them once but she was trying to protect the kid.

[quote] Cyborg doesn't fit and Brendon Frazer out of robot man guise makes me feel soooo much better about getting older - He was hot as fuck as a younger actor..now? man. Hard wall

I think Cyborg fits perfectly with the team. He's really the only one encouraging them to act as a team and be heroic while he himself has quite a few issues that he needs to tackle. They need someone like him since the joke is that they're all so self involved and damaged that none of them would be capable of searching for the Chief without him. He's doing what the Chief wouldn't do and getting them to act. Eventually they won't need him but for now he's necessary.

Timothy Dalton is 72. Brendan is 50. Alan Tudyk is 48 and Matt Bomer is 41. While Brendan doesn't look as good as he did when he was younger he looks like a 50 year old that didn't take great care of himself. He does look better than he did a few years ago.

I'm told blob-Rita was a thing in the comics for a while, for whatever that's worth.

Just when I thought this show couldn't top itself, we get a RuPaul's Drag Race crossover episode. That was some Stonewall realness at the end there. It's so crazy to me that we're seeing this inclusive progressive message being played out on a DC show of all places, and told so well at that. Even five years ago, this would have been all played for laughs. What a great show.

The Danny storyline was more than a bit on the nose, but how fabulous to see Danny the Street on TV. Really hope to see him - oops, it's them now - again. I mostly like that they made Danny contemporary and not retro-camp, but it did drain Danny of some personality. All the more reason to spend more time with them.

I thought Flex Mentallo might be living there, like in the comics, but I didn't spot him. Someone on reddit suggested that the comic book will lead the Patrol to Flex.

The Jane/Karen storyline was fun. Though, again, it could have been a tad more subtle. They didn't have to beat us over the head with the fact that Karen was compelling people to live out her romantic fantasies. It was clear from the scene where she meets Doug in the rain and he does a 180.

I don't mean to complain too much, I am really loving the show, but I wish it would get back to the style and confidence of the first few episodes.

The Underground issue was my favorite of the Morrison run, so I can't wait for next week.

The latest one is nice. I wanna live on Danny Street.

And "Karen" falling into the dirt, while running after her beau, was hilarious.

Great episode across the board. Each new personality of Jane's is a delight.

The saddest moment in the episode when you realize that song and dance was Larry's imagination. If only he were so bold to express himself but he's still repressed.

R80 - he did express himself offscreen at the end and probably enjoyed it. The show was just being clear that Danny wasn't just a magical hypnotic realm (its 'magical', but not enough to immediately convince Larry to stand up and dance). Every episode (or two?), Larry is more at peace with himself, his history, and his spirit. That Larry even imagined such a musical number is significant progress, but then he actually did attempt it (again mostly offscreen, as part of a joke) at the end.

R77 I'm actually astonished this is happening, that DC is technically... running circles around Marvel. I guess Marvel by now represents the big(ger) business corporate ceiling of LGBT representation.

That said, Agents of Shield tried a gay character but I think the actor wanted out? And Netflix's Daredevil had the lesbians. And there's rumors of The Eternals, a film, having something.

But Doom Patrol has been a whole other thing.

Is this where Ben Edlund is?? He needs to get his ass back to Supernatural now that it's ending.

He was one of the best writers of the quirky, ridiculous episodes and they were great!

Just leaving this here

Good point, R82. I believe all the DC shows have non-token LGB representation (not sure if there are any trans characters.) As far as I know the most significant Marvel queers are Jeri Hogarth and Karolina Dean (and how many people even watched Runaways?)

This show is so weird and fun, just like the Doom Patrol books. I am so impressed with the DC Universe app so far. I loved Titans, and love Doom Patrol even more

Maura Lee Karupt is a great drag name. Also, "My face is beat. My look is flawless, and I am dusted form head to toe." That's some deep drag lingo, so kudos to the writers for getting it right.

r82 Not to derail this thread too much, but Daredevil was particularly outrageous in that regard. Three seasons of him prancing around in Hell's Kitchen and not a single gay guy to be seen anywhere? That definitely happens in real life today, for sure.

R87 That scene was EVERYTHING. I was delighted by how Gay this episde was, and LGBT representation in this show in general. But I'm sorry, seeing Drag Queen Maura (it is a great name!) kick the shit out of the B.O.N. guy was so fucking entertaining

[quote] It's so crazy to me that we're seeing this inclusive progressive message being played out on a DC show of all places, and told so well at that. Even five years ago, this would have been all played for laughs. What a great show.

That is all Greg Berlanti's doing. He's been throwing gay super hero characters on almost every DC show he has worked on for years!

A great example is the character of "Constantine" who previously had an NBC show. The character is bisexual in the comics. NBC stripped all that away. Now that the character is on Greg's, "Legends of Tomorrow" he has finally gotten to talk about and have relationships with men.

The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Black Lighting & Legends of Tomorrow have all had gay or lesbian characters, some of whom have been or are leads with stories of their own involving their relationships. He does not shy away from any of it. It just "is."

r89 Yes, I forgot to add that we've been seeing this on CW already. The thing that has actually surprised me is the fact that they carried this over onto their streaming platform, where the audience is less general and more... well, fanboy-ey. It's great to see they weren't intimidated by that.

The folks in r/DCDoomPatrol seem to love Larry. Fanboys aren't necessarily phobic...at least the ones who like Doom Patrol. Those who think Rob Liefeld is a genius might be another story.

Yeah, I've been seeing a great response to Larry's arc on Reddit. I guess I was bringing my own prejudices into it...

This week's episode wasn't as satisfying as "Danny Patrol" but it gives a look at Jane and what caused her dissociative disorder and a look at all of her personalities. It was great that they are all actually different people versus having Diane embody all of the personalities in the Underground.

Judging by that pic, costume design is being done by a lesbian.

I thought this episode was a wonderful exploration of (childhood) trauma, with some really stunningly composed shots. I appreciate that the cause of Jane's pain - her abusive father - wasn't defeated at the end and didn't vanish into thin air, but instead endures and will continue to haunt her. Just like I real life, you can't magic your painful memories away.

That Black Annis character... she's super old, right? Like, is she the very first of the bunch?

I'd really like to watch this, but I don't want to pay for yet another video service.

It will likely air on Netflix like Titans did.

It wasn't til the end of the episode that I realized...that was Dorothy Spinner. Yeah I'm slow.

Just when I thought the show couldn't amp up the oddity factor any further we get hairy Neanderthal titty. I love this show.

r99 To say nothing of the Beard Hunter consuming that drain scum, slowly and in closeup!

That was gross. Dude who played Beard Hunter was great.

That beard slime swallowing was the grossest thing I saw in years. Yuck.

Thanks to my gif-making skills, everyone can experience the unique joy of watching that scene now.

You're welcome!

Doing God's work!

Are you fucking kidding me with Larry's storyline in the latest episode?! That was heart-wrenching and perfectly written from start to finish! Who knew one of the sweetest gay storylines of 2019 would come out of some silly superhero show?

I really appreciate that the ending was so mature and that his lover didn't waste his entire life just longing after Larry but had a fulfilling relationship out in the open after that. It's a hopeful conclusion to their story, full of understanding and reconciliation.

Larry saying goodbye to John made me tear up.

Larry and John's story was written and acted so wonderfully.

While I'm glad they didn't drag the story line out too long, I'm gonna miss those Larry/John scenes. It's a small thing but I like how the show conveyed a strong physical attraction between them instead of a chaste, twee twu wuv.

Speaking of Larry, I've been reading the Giffen Doom Patrol and Larry's comics backstory is way more convoluted than I knew. Though I'm guessing a lot of that was wiped out in the New 52. Not sure I like Giffen's run but it's certainly interesting.

[quote]Larry saying goodbye to John made me tear up.

Same here. Except I actually cried. I'm surprised I had that reaction. It was a beautiful gift for those characters for them to get to have a resolution. And having Frank Ocean's cover of "Moon River" underneath it just killed me.

Loved the call back to Animal Vegetable Mineral Man. This show is so great.

[quote]And having Frank Ocean's cover of "Moon River" underneath it just killed me.

Perfect choice which finally pushed me over the edge so I started bawling. The writers on this show are just killing it and I hope they get some recognition for this.

Like r108, I also appreciate that their story wasn't infantilised in any way. They came to that motel to fuck and then they ate because they were famished from all that fucking. "That sandwich really was great" could obviously mean two things. Love and desire, with a bit of clinginess thrown in, just like in real life.

I also loved the inclusion of gay spaces and showing how important they used to be for gay men. John found his tribe in that gay bar and he's done with all that sneaking around because he wants to be seen. Even if that means moving on from Larry. Such a wonderfully rich side story. Again, kudos to the writers.

[quote]Like [R108], I also appreciate that their story wasn't infantilised in any way. They came to that motel to fuck and then they ate because they were famished from all that fucking

While I could have done with a longer love scene for parity (the very first episode has Cliff fucking like an animal and Titans had a drawn out love scene with Hawk and Dove), I, too, appreciated that the show wasn't coy or was delicate about their relationship. Like John asked Larry, 'You haven't fucked anyone since RFK?!"

r111 Yeah, I forgot to mention the lack of on-screen sex or at least lovemaking in my post. That was a bit of a bummer and definitely a double standard, you're right. Although has any other character had a sex scene, apart from Cliff's intro? That seems pretty tame for a show on a streaming platform.

The JFK bit made me laugh.

Cliff sex scene was meant to show his reckless nature and his impulsivity. It was raunchy and tasteless just like he Larry trainor is a completely diff personality. Sex scenes have to match personalities. This show gets it

Just finished the episode and it fucked me up. I cried too, R109. That was the best resolution these two could have, and I am amazed by the quality of the writing. That relashionship was really beautiful and genuine. I hope we'll get to see Larry with someone else someday.

Have they shown Malla and the brain yet?

[quote]Cliff sex scene was meant to show his reckless nature and his impulsivity. It was raunchy and tasteless just like he Larry trainor is a completely diff personality. Sex scenes have to match personalities. This show gets it

I didn't expect the Larry/John scene to be gratuitous but we saw more action between Niles and Dorothy Spinner than Larry and John.

I grew up reading comics, and I still do occasionally, but I've lost interest in pretty much every superhero tv show of the last few years. I watched the first season of THE RUNAWAYS, despite the terrible acting, but can't bring myself to watch season 2. Hated all the Marvel Netflix shows other than JESSICA JONES. CLOAK & DAGGER is boring as hell. I quit watching all the CW shows, in part because I loathe Felicity.

But I love this show. It's just so delightfully weird, and wonderful acting. I read the old Doom Patrol books, but I'm not familiar with Crazy Jane or Danny the Street...intriguing characters! My first exposure to Doom Patrol was the 70s revival with Tempest, Celsius and Negative Woman, but over the years I've read back issues. Rita was always my favorite, and I think they've captured her pretty well.

Oh yeah, this was my first time hearing Frank Ocean's cover. Beautiful.

There was a Brain easter egg in "Doom Patrol Patrol", R115. It would be fun to see Mallah and the Brain next season. I don't expect there's room for them this season. Only four episodes left! I'm guessing three to cover The Ant Farm and Flex, with a finale centered around Mr. Nobody. And perhaps the shocking reveal that Chief has a daughter? Total speculation there.

I would love to see The Brotherhood of Dada next season.

Alec Mapa refusing to testify against the dinosaur head that attacked him during the robbery sounds like some hardcore codependent shit, if not an outright Stockholm syndrome. What if they made him the Big Bad eventually?

I'm starting to get a pavlovian response to Moon River. Made me cry in the Angels in America miniseries, made me cry again in Doom Patrol, I better not hear it in public.

Loved the episode but sad we won't be seeing John Bowers again. I'm worried that's the end of Larry's love life.

LOL. "The butts are loose!"

A new motto for Datalounge!

Mr Nobody is ruthless, isn't he? He seems so omnipotent, I wonder if anyone's ever going to be able to take him down.

Do we know yet who that person in the cell next to Victor's was? Is he important?

Mr. Nobody must have a weak spot. I wonder if that weak spot is that he can be defeated by creatures which were created with the same machine (like Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man)?

Oh god, I'd love to see Alec Mapa taking him down in the end. Just imagine!

I enjoyed that Larry's self-acceptance and peace extended to him rescuing the Negative Energy being, and speaking to it almost affectionately. He's come so far in just the past few episodes!

Cliff and Rita have, as well. I enjoyed (and laughed) when he was trying to talk the lady scientist out of scrapping him. Lecturing her on his worth. Good for him!

And Rita, who pretends not to give a shit was a trooper in this. I do wish she'd do more than the blobby-goo thing but since they showed her arm extending in the one episode, I'll continue to be patient.

I was actually shocked that Victor beat his dad, to death. He's already such a mess, still, over his mom and his part in what happened to her. Even knowing Mr Nobody messed with his mind, I can't see how this isn't going to break him. Poor guy.

Mr Nobody was great (also, terrible and mental) this episode. Tudyk is a treat!

They're going to do *something* with the Chekhov shapeshifter, right?

R124, the dude in the cell next to Vic was Flex Mentallo. Looks like he'll be featured in the next ep. (If you've seen the preview, he's the guy in the animal print trunks.) In the comics he's a sometimes member of the Patrol, and has a connection to the Ant Farm. He's also another expression of Grant Morrison's appreciation of camp, so it'll be interesting to see how these writers treat him.

Still don't want to think about what Nobody did to Vic.

Anyone else thought Alicia Ying, who played the Robotman's lab tech, was too sassy and fab to kill off in the same episode?

I just saw Devan Long is playing Flex Mentallo. Hopefully his acting will be better than on Now Apocalypse because that was rough. He was competent enough on The Magicians, I guess.

I was not charmed by Junior Miss Banality of Evil, no.

I loved how she pointed out that he wasn't the first one who has had that procedure done and that they have a talking toaster as well. It was just another day in the lab for her; like shuffling paperwork.

I thought the "bitch, please!" scientist was hilarious. She was basically a Datalounger telling Cliff off that he (and his struggle) is not such a big deal after all.

I want Deven Chandler Long inside me deeply

Devan Long, - hot as fuck in now apocolypse too.

dang devan long needs to deep dick me

r135 yes..yes he does.

How are they ever going to defeat Mr Nobody if he knows everything that's going on? Flex Mentallo seems to have a similar powerset but will it be enough?

I was so happy to learn Alec Mapa survived that assassination attempt. Thank god for minerals, amirite?

Might watch the episode today.

Flex has the look (outside of the beach beefcake focus) that most attracts me.

Dammit. Okay, I'll start working out this summer.

Also the whole growth of Cliff's Robot Man character is that what happened to him is super shitty and generally would have been better to have never happened, but there's far worse out there and he has a sweet robo body that so many would be weirdly jealous of, so make the use of it and take this as a second chance at life.

It isn't tossing away his struggles but like all the Doom Patrol, they're getting extended lessons of how they can use their struggles to good use.

That scientist was needed to tell Cliff that he's not that special in that setting for being a brain in a robot. The robo dancing kid in an earlier episode was needed to tell Cliff that he can be special, even if in small child-affectionate ways, even as he is now.

I actually thought that Vic had killed his dad in the last ep. Weirdly disappointed they backed off that.

That orgasm scene in ep 14 was gold!

I was in the middle of writing a post here saying "I love how easily they managed to defeat Dr Nobody in the end because he obviously represents fragile toxic masculinity that falls apart under closer scrutiny etc. etc. etc. - this show is genius!" And of course they subverted my expectations once again. Can't wait for the finale.

r140 Agreed, that felt like a cheat.

I thought Rita looked stunning in this shot. Like an actual superhero doing a power pose.

I love Rita. She's so beautiful.

I want Flex.

The actress who plays Rita has incredibly striking features.

I hope Flex never covers back up!

Man, I wish I had the body to pull off going as Rita on Halloween. r143 is right, she is very striking in that scene.

To think that's the same April Bowlby who played the roommate sidekick on Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva.

April is stunning.

Lord knows, his face ain't his fortune.

Anyhoo. Silly me thought the episode really was going to wrap up in an overly pat way. Glad to be faked out. Less glad the show is going with "Niles caused their accidents" because even for comics that is way too convoluted and improbable. Oh well, we'll see how it plays out next week. I'm bummed there's only one episode left.

The Sex Mentallo gag was priceless.

It's weird that the first season is almost over and we still don't know what Mr. Nobody wants. I guess that means he will continue to be an important part of the story next season, which is fine by me.

Didn't Animal Man go into the white space? I wasn't a regular reader of that book but I vaguely recall leafing through a comic or TPB and seeing Animal Man wandering in a white void and talking to Grant Morrison.

r150 He wants the secret of Immortality

They haven't actually established that though, have they? Did I just miss it?

That was some weapons-grade lunacy. This is really is the best timeline ever!

It was mentioned that Flex Mentallo was the one to hide Danny the Street but where did Flex go? I was hoping to see him in those briefs one last time.

Rattatushi!

Love that Mr. Nobody got beat by his own narrative game.

Is there still room for development of Larry’s story now that he has said goodbye to John?

R156, the season gave us a couple of hints. His story is far from over.

He knew how and when his wife died and mentioned his children a few times. So it's assumed he knows where they are. He'll probably go and find them and tell them what happened to him, why he cheated on their mom and that he's gay.

He also mentioned that it was time for him to move on from John so I can see him try and figure out how to navigate life as a gay man in 2019.

I think the first thing is more likely to happen before the second since reporters kept asking Matt Bomer about it as well as some fans who kept wondering why he won't talk to them. It's also the last plot point with his past that needs to be resolved that makes the character look like an a-hole.

I wouldn't be surprised if he did visit his wife before she passed so we'll likely get flashbacks of that and him popping in on his sons while hiding.

Finally we know he was used as a weapon for years so we'll probably see more of that.

Thanks R157. Hope his role continues to grow.

If you want to see more of Flex almost nude watch Now Apocolypse. He is even hotter in that.

R159 Is that good?

Now Apocalypse was a guilty pleasure. Very amateurish and silly but charming and with hot men. Devaney is only in several episodes so it's painless to seek those out versus watching the insipid series in its entirety.

*Devan.

r160 "Good" is not a word I'd associate with that show, no.

And Devan is wooden in that, and only appears in one or two episodes.

I loved Now Apocalypse because it was a crazy trippy skinemax series. Loved Beau Mirchoff the best since he made the trippy stuff hilarious (like that photo session).

The Forbes critic who trashed the show after only two episodes has released an update, admitting he was wrong.

He's kinda cute, so I forgive him.

Not my type, still hate him.

r160 it is a trip I will say that. The male leads are all way hot. The dumb straight is a wet dream. Near the end the main character gets a bf and it turns out he was puck's brother on Glee - way hot.,

[bold]The wildest thing about Doom Patrol is how it carries on the work of Norman Lear[/bold]

An interesting little essay.

I saw on twitter that it may be on the chopping block because of the new Warner Media steaming site. This sucks.

[quote]I saw on twitter that it may be on the chopping block because of the new Warner Media steaming site. This sucks.

Doom Patrol is fine! It sends its love!

On a serious note: they're still due to begin shooting in November and while the show may move after that to Warner along with everything else, they've already got their marching orders even if they haven't made any announcements about the show yet.

Of course there's a lot of time between now and then but so far it seems like everything is fine.

Swamp Thing had a whole other host of issues and people just keep waiting for DC's other shows to get cancelled because they want to be first with the Netflix/Marvel/Disney "everything is done!" scoop.

I got word from some people on the ST side is that they don't have enough subscribers to generate the revenue to keep ST going. That and that unfortunate rebate mistake. So even though DP is doing well, the whole channel will probably fold because lack of subscribers.

I think they grew too fast. You're producing all these shows but you don't have the service in every place it should be. They should have really figured that out first.

A lot of it is just about access.

DC is a real testing ground for this kind of service. People don't want to pay for these niche shows.

I think at this point if any shows remain from their proposed roster they're going to be Titans and Doom Patrol especially since those two have already come out and because of Greg Berlanti's involvement.

It was a bad idea to begin with. Comics are already dying, how they thought a streaming network would work was beyond me. "Hey we cannot get enough subscriptions for comics, I know lets create an expensive network that will rely on subscribers!"

Comics are dying but cinematic translations to the big and small screen are not. They're now the "big budget action movies" of this time in history. There's no "Die Hard" or "Indiana Jones" there's "Captain Marvel" and "Wonder Woman."

At the end of the streaming wars it's clear Netflix, the Disney stuff (including Hulu and Marvel), Amazon and maybe Warner will reign supreme. CBS All Access is a tossup.

DC never really stood a change by itself so while they're saying they're not going anywhere I think it's obvious it will combine with a bigger platform. They just don't have the ability to distribute things the way they need to alone. I feel like they'll first narrow it down to a few specific shows like Titans, Stargirl and Doom Patrol.

They're also hurt by the fact that most of their properties are currently airing for free on the CW. If they could air old episodes of The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Black Lightning, Arrow etc. on the platform it would really give them a leg up but apparently those shows could end up on Netflix, CBS All Access or Warner in the future since some of them are currently under Netflix deals, some of their deals are ending, some of them will be up for bid: it's a mess.

The only show that will likely go on Warner while airing on CW is Batwoman.

Now Apocalypse cult members invading threads again to talk about their borefest trash of a show. 🤮🤮

If I'm only watching a show for hot men, I'd rather watch porn, the sexless lead literally is a Walmart Diego Sans anyway (or worse, how do you describe the worse version?)

Doom Patrol is a really good show, I see no reason why they should cancel it. I've only heard of good things and satisfactory reviews for Doom Patrol.

Renewed, finally!

[quote]Announced today during DC Universe's panel at San Diego Comic-Con, it was confirmed that Doom Patrol will be returning with new episodes sometime in 2020, but the announcement is a bit more exciting than that. Executive producer Jeremy Carver and series star Diane Guerreror (Crazy Jane) were on hand to deliver the exciting news that the critically acclaimed series has been renewed for a second season via a deal with HBO Max. The eccentric anti-hero adventures will continue in 2020, with all-new original episodes set to debut simultaneously on DC UNIVERSE and HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s forthcoming streaming service, which has championed the series.

Great news, R177, thanks!

Really glad to hear the news as well. I’m a little confused about HBO MAX. Is it a totally new service or an HBO channel. If you have a subscription to HBO, will you have to purchase it as well? It appears it won’t start streaming until 2020, the same time Doom Patrol season 2 starts. Anyway, it’s great it’s going to get wider exposure.

We've discussed HBO Max here. Basically, it's an all-new streaming platform with all sorts of stuff that falls under AT&T, but the name is confusing, I agree.

[quote]HBO Max will include shows and movies from Warner Bros., New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, Looney Tunes and other content providers.

R179,

HBO Max will be stuff from, "New Line, DC Entertainment, CNN, TNT, TBS, truTV, The CW, Turner Classic Movies, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth and Looney Tunes" and HBO curated and combined onto one streaming service.

There will also be new programming from HBO. (I wouldn't doubt they'd throw one of their Game of Thrones spinoffs on there to get people to watch) and they are going to combine people from Directv Now with the service in the future. So it will be, essentially one giant service with everything on it.

You can still watch Doom Patrol on DC Universe and you should since the episodes (as of now) will be there first.

I'm watching this now. It's good late summer entertainment.

What turned Rita Farr / Elasti-Girl into the blob? Immersion in African waters?

So sick of superhero shit.

Didn't something bite her when she was in the water? It was the volcanic ash in the comics.

Season Two premieres today. First three episodes are available.

Fuck. The little bitch broke the brick.

[quote] The little bitch broke the brick.

Danny the ̶S̶t̶r̶e̶e̶t̶ Brick

Oooh I forgot this was coming back. Time to sign up for another streaming service.

The girl is so ugly it's distracting. I'm glad Flex is back. His chest hair pattern is perfect.

Love the latest episode.

My guess is that the Candlemaker is some kind of Genie and it's not about the wishes themselves but that there are only a very limited number of wishes until doom is unleashed.

The Steele & Stone segment in the latest episode is hilarious. And the ending is hardcore.

wow the last episode is awesome

So, he's going to kill his own daughter? That's dark.

The Candlemaker is wearing high heels apparently. Odd choice of footwear for an earth or universe destroying demon.

R194 I noticed that too! LOL

The Candlemaker has a candelabra for a head; it wears heels to make the look even more theatrical!

Phew. Just binged up to the latest (penultimate?) ep and I'm a tad overwhelmed. I don't think it's quite as good as the first season but I'm definitely enjoying it.

A few impressions.

Having read the Morrison run, the slow burn with The Candlemaker really worked for me. They just had to drop a hint and I was already feeling the dread. He looks great too, truly creepy.

I think the show does a great job of taking concepts from the comic books and putting a new spin on them in a way that feels fresh and justified and not just change for change's sake. Like having Valentina be more like Rebis, or using the red shoe motif with Dorothy.

The pacing of Jane's storyline feels off. It's...a choice...to have her evil personality played by a black actress. Maybe she's not really evil.

What went down with Baby Doll and Dorothy was disturbing. Children with superpowers would not be cute. It would be terrifying.

Poor Cyborg is just kind of there. I like the actor but the character is a weird fit. I think it would have been better to focus more on him as the everyman of the group instead of a storyline that separates him from the others.

I adore April Bowlby.

You can't have The Chief be both sympathetic and a cartoonish supervillain. Just doesn't work for me.

I think Cliff has gone insane and nobody even noticed. The characters sometimes talk a good game about found families and freaks sticking together and whatnot, but they mostly don't seem to care about each other. Sometimes to an unbelievable degree, Like, Jane's in a coma. Let's leave her on the dining room table, I'm sure she'll be fine. At least Larry and Rita have something resembling a friendship.

I was disappointed they didn't do more with Red Jack.

Caught a few Easter eggs, hoping for more on rewatch.

Was that the season finale?

Hippie Guitar Boy was hot as hell, especially in the first scene with the messy hair.

[quote]Was that the season finale?

Yes. We lost an episode due to the pandemic according to the actress who plays Dorothy. They were midway through filming when they were shut down.

[quote]Hippie Guitar Boy was hot as hell, especially in the first scene with the messy hair.

Yes; and his body was divine. As was the guy to the left of him when Jane was telling the swingers off. Bearded, nice thick body and bulge. That's the guy she should have had a threesome with.

[quote] I don't think it's quite as good as the first season but I'm definitely enjoying it.

Same. It's not as over the top eccentric which was one of the draws of the first season, but it is still good and infinitely better than "Titans".

What happened to Niles being able to walk? I know I didn't imagine a season one scene where it revealed he could walk. Or maybe that was in the Doom Patrol tie-in episode of "Titans" when the character was played by Bruno Bichir. His faking needing a wheelchair added another layer of deception to his character and I am curious if they've just retconned that. If he can indeed walk it makes no sense for him to be crawling around or sat helpless as the world is being threatened.

It’s funny how Umbrella Academy improved enormously (like tenfold) in its second season and this show dipped.

Ah, Carter Jenkins. One of the guys connected to Bella Thorne who had his nudes leaked.

God bless you, r201!

I quite enjoyed this season. Sex Patrol with the Ghostbusters type of team was hilarious.

the first season with Mr. Nobody was so off the rails and fantastic (the villains) that this season really didn't have anywhere to go, so it appears they concentrated on "fixing" all of the main characters' issues, per se. A show is only as good as its baddies.

Umbrella Academy was basically a reboot of their first season; except the Swedes were lackluster.

Titans wasn't sure where to go initially and finally found their ground beginning with the second episode of the second season.

The girl who plays Dorothy is actually 20 years old!

I agree that Mr. Nobody gave the first season focus. I don't even think they fixed anybody so much as went over the same issues over and over. Funny how everyone faced their imaginary friend/inner demon and then Larry just got insta-waxed. Not that I needed to see any more of him brooding over the past.

I couldn't even finish the first season of Umbrella Academy, not sure I can give the second season a try.

I, too, struggled with getting through the first season of The Umbrella Academy. But it ended well enough that it made me interested in a second season, and, as it turns out, the second season was a VAST improvement over the first. I’m genuinely glad I stuck with it.

My problem with Doom Patrol is that the characters aren’t remotely interesting enough to bear the weight of the story. The first season, which I really enjoyed, was fantastically trippy. But the story this season was much more grounded and as a result, underlined just how thin the bench is.

Doom Patrol was a 9/10 that I can understand is not everyone's taste. Season 2 was a 8/10 max, R206 explains one of the reasons why, but with a lack of finale it regrettably is more of a 7/10. I'll give it another chance and hope there's a third season.

I haven't actually watched through Umbrella Academy but I've seen some of Season 1 and skimmed through all of Season 2. From what I gather, S1 was a 7-8/10 max and didn't really understand what to be, but S2 gets that better, and while its a lot of rehash of previous material, it does it better enough to be an 8 minimum.

Overall I like Doom Patrol more but if they drop the ball, Umbrella Academy seems ready to pick it up.

They should just send Cyborg away. He just doesn't fit in with the rest of the cast.

[quote] What happened to Niles being able to walk? I know I didn't imagine a season one scene where it revealed he could walk. Or maybe that was in the Doom Patrol tie-in episode of "Titans" when the character was played by Bruno Bichir. His faking needing a wheelchair added another layer of deception to his character and I am curious if they've just retconned that. If he can indeed walk it makes no sense for him to be crawling around or sat helpless as the world is being threatened.

He's like SCTV's Guy Caballero. He can walk, but he uses a wheelchair to garner sympathy.

God bless you, r209. One of my fave SCTV characters.

DC Comics is holding a 24 hour showcase on 8/22 and there will be a Doom Patrol panel with the cast, with the exception of Brendan Fraser.

If you're a fan of DC's other properties there is a ton of things to take in.

Now that it's on HBO Max, I finally started watching this. Wow. Larry's storyline brought me to tears multiple times and I'm not even through season one yet.

This show is shockingly good. Glad it's not isolated in that 'DC Universe" graveyard anymore. Hopefully more people will watch this.

This show was amazing. Took me my surprise, it shouldn't have been my thing, but it totally was. One of the things I loved was how well developed each character storyline was, especially compared to other superhero shows.

And yeah, Larry made me cry a few times too, R212. His storyline is really good, and I love this character so much.

FUCK! I HATE CLIFF! BRENDAN FRASER IS AWFUL!

FUCK!

i don't wanna sound like a queer or nothing, but i like the angry robit.

I want flex mentallo to tear my hole up like a cheese grater.

Renewed for season 3