A Man Is Only As Good As His Bird
The 11th Street Kids reunite for a party where they finally get to let loose and have fun since all of their lives have gone to Hell since the events of season one. Meanwhile, A.R.G.U.S., knowing about unusual activity at Peacemaker’s house goes to investigate where they are met with the series most underrated character.
Warning: Spoilers Begin Below
Disposing of the Body
The episode picks up where episode one left off with Peacemaker having to dispose of the body of the alternate universe version of himself that he just killed. He needs to dispose of the body, but fortunately for him, he has a friend that he can call that won’t ask any questions: Vigilante. Unfortunately for Peacemaker though, the remnants from his party from the previous night are still in his house and Vigilante is disappointed that he wasn’t invited.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
Still the pair work together, using Vigilante’s bonesaw, to dispose of the body in an incinerator. However, when the alternate version of Peacemaker’s phone falls out of his pocket, the main universe version picks it up and he sees more about that Peacemaker’s relationship with that universe’s version of Harcourt. That’s important as he sees a life in that universe he never got to have in his own.
Hitting Rock Bottom
While Peacemaker is struggling with killing an alternate version of himself, the rest of the 11th Street Kids aren’t doing much better. Economos continues to trail Peacemaker, but now A.R.G.U.S. sends Agent Fleury to watch over him. Rick Flag Sr. has every reason not to trust Economos, but Fleury becomes one of the weirder additions to the cast. He has moments of clear intelligence where he points out Economos can’t shoot him because his gun is in its holster, but willingly complies with Economos' demands, as he says, “because I’m nice.” But he also talks about “bird blindness” when he sees Eagley.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
Adebayo has a fight with her ex who she didn’t realize was her ex until being confronted. Keeya tells Adebayo she has to reach out and not just walk in Keeya’s home because they are “broken up.” Adebayo says she thought it was just “taking some time,” but Keeya lets her know there’s no difference. And Harcourt continues getting into fights on an almost daily basis showing she’s struggling to adjust to abandonment and trauma following the events of season one. The only member doing well is Vigilante who seems to just be happy to have friends.
The Party
With all of them needing a break, the 11th Street Kids get together to have a party. It starts with Harcourt, Economos and Vigilante gathering on the roof and Economos being unable to catch a beer. Eventually, Adebayo and Peacemaker arrive and Peacemaker is excited to see Economos and it’s hinted they haven’t been together since the events of season one. They are clearly friends despite having once been antagonistic. But everyone needs a break, so they all blow off some steam and drink a lot of Bud Light.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
Unfortunately, while they all get their light moments, it still ends with an argument. Peacemaker confronts Harcourt about her violent tendencies and the pair get into it. Still, everyone in the group needs a break, and you can see the camaraderie through teasing and playful banter. It’s something they all deserve.
Eagley Shines
While the 11th Street Kids are partying together, ARGUS decides to enter Peacemaker’s house to find out what’s causing this anomaly. Fleury calls in an elite team to search the house since it’s empty. But Fleury didn’t relay that the most important member of the group was still at home, Eagley. The true hero of the group takes down four highly trained ARGUS agents by himself. He also gets a really cool slow motion walking scene like all heroes should.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
On top of Eagley, the best part of the ARGUS scenes is Fleury. Tim Meadows shines as he jumps between delightfully goofy while trying to be threatening. He really comes across as a true Beta male who insists he’s an Alpha. It may work when he’s trying to prove who he is to Economos, but it’s clear when he’s on the phone with the higher-ups at ARGUS that he’s middle management at best. Plus, he completely misses Eagley on every shot due to his “bird blindness.”
Flag’s Motivations Clear
The episode also reveals what happens when Rick Flag Sr. takes over ARGUS. If you watched Creature Commandos (and if you want to read my reviews, they are on the BINGEABLE TV section of the website), Flag was an important part of Task Force M under Amanda Waller. Now, he’s in charge of all of ARGUS which allows him to learn who killed his son, Col. Flag. (It was Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad on Waller’s orders). This means that he now has a personal vendetta against Peacemaker and puts him at odds with Economos despite Economos working for him.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
This is compelling because technically, Flag is in the right. His son was killed by a fellow member of his team. Now he knows who killed his son. He’s being set up as the antagonist because the show is told from Peacemaker’s point of view, but he’s doing everything by the book and correctly. From any other point of view, he’s a hero. But in this one, he’s being set up as the villain. It’s an interesting dichotomy.
Stinger
This is the second episode with a post-credits stinger that adds context to an earlier scene. Episode one really drove home how much James Gunn hates Jared Leto given the actress who plays Harcour is his wife and he had her just tear into 30 Seconds to Mars, Leto’s band. They made it clear that the Gunns and Leto are not on good terms. This stinger helps make Fleury look like a credible agent in the eyes of Economos. While he’s talking about his love life, he adds details that make it seem credible that his claims in love actually happened.
Courtesy: Jessica Miglio/HBO Max
What’s Next?
This episode helps establish what will continue to develop throughout the season. While it’s got some good moments, like Peacemaker comparing Adebayo’s religion to him growing up with an interdimensional portal in his home, it’s still mostly set up. It’s fine, and important, but it should’ve likely been released with episode one rather than on its own. Those two episodes go well together, but this one has a hard time standing on its own.
Still, the teaser to the next episode makes it clear that Peacemaker will try to take over the life of the other Peacemaker he killed. He has his father, his brother and a previous relationship with Harcourt. It’s understandable since he’s at his lowest that he would want to feel better. It’s a good foundation, but I hope there’s more to the remaining episodes.
Check out Peacemaker streaming on HBO Max.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2025
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