Doom Patrol 1x01 "Pilot" Episode Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
The spin-off series of Titans, Doom Patrol is already better than its parent show. The series centers around a group of superheroes who detest who they are and have no aspirations to become heroic in any way. They live in Doom Manor with a scientist named Dr. Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton). The lovable group of misfits consists of Robotman (Brendan Fraser), Negative Man (Matt Bomer), Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), and Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero).
A very similar concept to DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, but the approach is more grounded and relatable. I do enjoy how all of the tragic stories were regular accidents like a car crash, plane crash, and falling into a lake. They added the “unusual” element to give them their new bodies and powers. Robotman is strangely relatable and the only sane character on this show. He’s easily my favorite.
Having the narrator be the villain of the season, Mr. Nobody (played by Alan Tudyk), was a great choice, and to have him self-aware elevates the storytelling. The self-awareness is not hammered to the point of insanity like Legends, but more to the point of making our protagonists hate themselves. They are trying to live in a world that doesn’t accept them, while still trying to accept themselves.
The villain, most of the time, is way more interesting than the hero.
Most of the time, this series doesn’t even feel like a superhero story, and more like a regular TV series that non-superhero fans could enjoy. I’d be curious to see how someone who hates superheroes or doesn’t watch those shows would respond to this series.
Overall, I enjoyed the pilot episode. Episode reviews will come on a weekly basis. There are 15 episodes this first season. I have officially invested in Doom Patrol.