Okay, is everyone else still staring at their screen in silence, or is it just me? Because Episode 7 just ripped my heart out, stomped on it, and then asked me to thank it for the trauma. James Gunn and the team really just delivered the best episode of the series so far, and I am not okay. I expected high-octane action, but I didn't expect a profound meditation on grief and the "what-ifs" of our lives.
Welcome to the Nightmare: Nazi Earth
Seeing "Nazi Earth" (Earth-X) was absolutely chilling. But honestly? The way Harcourt dragged Chris for missing the clues was classic. Like, how do you miss a giant Hitler mural in the Capitol?! It’s that perfect Peacemaker blend of "this is horrifying" and "Chris is an idiot."
The world-building here was so unsettling because of the "small" things. It wasn’t just the big swastikas; it was the cultural void. The lack of rock and roll, the weird German-style bratwurst vendors, and the total absence of slang—it really hammers home how much culture we take for granted. Imagine a world where the Beatles never existed because the creative spark was extinguished by fascism. And can we talk about that fight choreography? That whip-pan transition from Harcourt kicking a guard to Peacemaker clotheslining another was chef's kiss. It felt so visceral and frantic, perfectly capturing their desperation to get out of that hellscape.
The Heart-to-Heart We Needed: Adebayo and Judo Master
While we were all stressed about the Nazis, the show gave us a surprisingly tender moment between Adebayo and Judo Master. This season, Adebayo has been so blinded by her own perspective in her marriage, and seeing Judo Master—of all people—be the one to call her out while snacking on "Flamin' Hot Cheetohs" (with an 'H'!) was genius.
It highlights the core theme of the season: self-discovery. Adebayo and Chris are on almost identical paths, both realizing that they are often the architects of their own misery. It’s a direct parallel that makes their friendship feel like the most grounded thing in a show about interdimensional travel. Seeing them realize that "being a hero" doesn't mean you're a good person was a heavy pill to swallow.
The Twist We Weren’t Ready For: "Good" Auggie
I think we all expected Earth-X Auggie Smith to be a monster, right? I was prepared for White Dragon 2.0. But seeing him as a calm, reasonable, and actually kind man? That was the ultimate gut-punch. Watching Chris look at the man who could have been his father... man, John Cena’s acting in that scene was incredible. You could see the "what-ifs" written all over his face. He wasn't looking at a stranger; he was looking at the ghost of a happy childhood he never got to have.
Auggie’s speech about trying to do your best in a broken world actually made me tear up. It gave Chris a version of redemption he never thought he’d see. This Auggie wasn't a Nazi; he was a survivor who viewed his own world with the same horror we do. When he told Chris that killing his world's version of Auggie was a "mercy killing," it felt like the weight of a thousand pounds was lifted off Peacemaker’s shoulders—only for it to be replaced by something much heavier seconds later.
The "Vigilante" Problem (I’m Screaming)
I love Vigilante. We all love Vigilante. He’s usually the comic relief that keeps us from getting too depressed. But OH MY GOD, ADRIAN. When he crashed through that window and brutally stabbed Auggie... I actually shouted at my TV. It was a catastrophic mistake born out of the very thing we love about him: his absolute, unthinking loyalty to Chris. In one second, he turned a moment of healing into a bloodbath.
The firefight that followed was pure trauma. Watching Peacemaker just stand there and take Keith’s gunfire because he felt he deserved the punishment? That’s the emotional weight this show carries so well. He wasn't a superhero in that moment; he was just a broken kid seeing his brother die all over again. He surrendered to the bullets because, in his mind, he is the monster that destroys everything good—even the "good" versions of his family.
The Ending & The Future
The return to the DCU was anything but a victory. Chris surrendering the key and going back to Belle Reve to save his friends? That’s massive growth. He started this journey in The Suicide Squad as a guy who would kill anyone—men, women, children—for "peace." Now, he’s a guy who will sacrifice his own freedom and return to a cage just to get his team into ARGUS's good graces. He’s finally learned what it means to be part of a family.
My Personal Rating: 9.5/10 (It would be a 10, but my soul is too tired from the crying. I need a hug and a drink.)
Final Thoughts:
Keith as a Villain: That title "Like a Keith in the Night" is such a clever/dark omen. It’s a backdoor origin story. Keith is out there, he’s alive, and he’s fueled by a very righteous hatred. Chris might have to kill his brother a second time in the finale, and I don't think he'll survive that emotionally.
The Luthor Factor: That post-credits scene with Halperston? He’s definitely not just looking for "dirty websites." He’s a Lex Luthor loyalist. Using the "unstable dimensional detritus" to bring in new threats? That’s a massive setup for the future of the DCU.
The Reality Check: This episode proved that there are no "good" universes. Even our heroes from the "better" world brought nothing but death and ruin to the one person on Nazi Earth who was actually trying to be decent. It’s a dark, cynical, but beautiful piece of writing.
What did you guys think? Did Vigilante ruin everything, or was the tragedy inevitable the moment they stepped through the portal? Let's talk in the comments (or just cry together).
🧜♂️ Eat peace, motherflowers.
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