It feels weird to say, but Peacemaker is one of the most gripping, well-rounded shows of the early 2022 landscape.
Peacemaker Season 1 Episode 7, “Stop Dragon My Heart Around,” is the best episode of the series thus far. It deftly balances exciting action sequences, signature humor, and complex dramatic moments for a near-perfect episode of television.
“Stop Dragon My Heart Around” explores ideas of betrayal, loss, and loyalty. It also further explores the fact that our world is not black and white, and the complicated feelings that surround that hard truth.
The action and humor are always consistent on Peacemaker, but “Stop Dragon My Heart Around” is made special by its dramatic moments.
Amidst all that is happening, “Stop Dragon My Heart Around” firmly establishes John Cena as someone who can handle not only deadpan comedy and physical, exciting action, but also compelling drama. When (SPOILER ALERT) Peacemaker makes good on his threat and shoots his horrible father point blank after a lengthy confrontation — Cena expresses his character’s complicated grief brilliantly.
Peacemaker’s full range of emotions are on display. Between Adebayo’s betrayal of his trust and Eagley’s battle-sustained injuries, Cena shows not only his ability to act dramatically, but his ability to switch between action, comedy, and drama with agile precision. For example, from the emotional moment that Eagley hugs Peacemaker, and then Cena slaps on a huge grin and takes some selfies for proof. Brilliant.
Peacemaker: Economos, are you insinuating that there is a wrong time and a right time to rock?!
Though Cena’s performance is the best of the episode, the rest of the cast is also atop their game.
Freddie Stroma switches deftly between Adrian Chase’s naivety and Vigilante’s crass nature. Danielle Brooks is subtle but masterful as she expresses Adebayo’s conflict. Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee are consistent and compelling — even more so as their characters have grown closer with the team.
On the whole, “Stop Dragon My Heart Around” is a compelling piece on relationships between people. It’s a fantastic illustration of how getting to know someone can change your perception of them.
The world isn’t black and white, and that fact is obvious and exceedingly compelling on Peacemaker‘s best episode yet. Five stars.
A few stray thoughts:
- In my house, the Peacemaker intro has evolved from not skipping it to dancing along with it.
- It’s been obvious for a few episodes now that Waller planted Adebayo because she didn’t trust the rest of them. Still, it’s nice for that theory to be validated.
- “So you’re compassionate about tape but not about brutally murdering people?” That’s Vigilante in a nutshell.
- The main story here is John Cena’s compelling performance, but Harcourt vs. Judomaster was an epic battle!
- Speaking of brilliant actors, Robert Patrick has been truly excellent as August Smith. It’s good that the character is dead, but it’s sad because Patrick is so good.
What did you think of this episode of Peacemaker? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The post Peacemaker Review: Stop Dragon My Heart Around (Season 1 Episode 7) first appeared on Tell-Tale TV.Alison Araya Talks ‘Peacemaker,’ ‘Brazen,’ and Her Love for Superheroes [Interview]