Season 1 Episode 9 “As a result of the team’s previous group therapy session, Jane retreats to the Underground, a treacherous place deep within her own mind space; there, she encounters the various facets of her many personas and journeys to discover traumas of her past.”
The Good & The Bad
The Good
1. Well, what a start. I think after the ending of the last episode we knew we would finally get to see the Underground where all of Jane’s personalities reside. We see a lot of personas we’re usually used to seeing such as Hammerhead and Penny in their original forms. We also get a glimpse of where the split began, back in 1957 where Kay (Jane) was abused by her father. We don’t actually see this was the case until near the end of the episode, and not just Jane, but other personalities have struggled finding the answers to this, and looked for the Well which has resulted in death.
Not only did this bit touch home, but it also touched base on just how affecting child abuse really is, and what that can do to the childhood of an adult. The episode started great all around. We then get to see Larry’s energy (we really need a name for him) touch Cliff’s head and Jane’s, thus transporting Cliff into Jane’s head, the Underground.
2. The episode held a very dark and emotional tone throughout, and it was different from the usual crazy, humorous stuff we are used to seeing. We see a lot of weary stuff that really does creep you out, from the Sister to the Scarecrow sitting with Cliff when Hammerhead locked him up. For me, I loved it. It was emotional through different scenes which was heartbreaking at the best of times.
One of the scenes I really want to talk about is Cliff and Jane, when Cliff tries to stop Jane from going to the Well. This was one of the most powerful scenes for Doom Patrol as of yet, just simply due to the fact that it felt real. Cliff was begging her not to go, Jane holds back but Diane Guerrero delivers another exceptional performance. She deserves the world how great she is.
We also see another emotional moment when Jane goes back to the memory of where it all began, more so with Kay when she was abused. Jane spills her heart out to Kay, and ultimately takes the brunt of abuse for Kay. After this we see Jane standing above the Well, Cliff moves in and the father shows up in a massive giant like form, where they manage to defeat him mentally. What a scene.
3. A quick nod to Cliff’s human form for the majority of the episode. I don’t know but I just enjoyed seeing the actor behind the voice for a while. He is just as great as he is in robot mode. We even see an emotional moment with him when he’s trying to save Jane, but is stopped and his entire life flashes before him. I felt this, and I felt for him. Another moment that deserves more than a Good.
4. For me, as a whole, I like the fact we now understand Jane. We understand the personas and how the whole thing works. It has a perfect backstory with perfect progression in terms of the character. We know it’s not over yet, but Jane tops the list as a truly phenomenal character.
The Bad
1. The episode got fairly confusing a bit. I’m unsure if that was just me, but at times I really struggled to get to grips with what was, and what wasn’t a memory. This ironed out about three quarters through, and doesn’t take much away from what was such a good episode.
2. I don’t want to put this, as I don’t think the episode needs it, but unfortunately I have to continue this on the Bad. Another episode with a lack of action. I will leave it there, because to be honest, I don’t think the episode needed it. (This wasn’t a bad of the episode, just a bad that will be continued until we get some proper action).
Holy Shit Moment
Every single creepy moment was my Holy Shit Moment this week. The Sisters, damn they were just awful to look at. Same with the gatekeeper for the Well, that was awful. Then she started slicing Cliff apart because “no man can pass”. Damn, it was weird, it was creepy, but it was just different, and I loved it!
Verdict
Doom Patrol delivers another quality show that draws you and keeps you interested throughout. So much progression has went into the characters, it just brings more out. The episode answered so many questions we’ve been dying to know since the beginning, and this was the best episode of the season so far for me. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Rating: 9.4/10
