‘Doom Patrol’ Season 1, Episode 14 ‘Penultimate Patrol’ Review: Bootloop

The Doom Patrol escaped from the Ant Farm, but their freedom comes with a high price. While they gained a new ally, their mission is still unfinished. Now, however, is a game changer. Along with the new friend is a means of finding their beloved savior, mentor, and friend. Still, however, the path is risky and uncertain, but the team remains eager to save the man who once rescued them.

On Friday’s episode of Doom Patrol, Flex Mentallo (Devan Long) opens a path to Mr. Nobody’s (Alan Tudyk) lair, the White Space to find The Chief/Niles Caulder (Timothy Dalton). As they enter the realm, Mr. Nobody presents an irresistible deal to Cliff Steele/Robotman (Brendan Fraser/Riley Shanahan), Larry Trainor/Negative Man (Matt Bomer/Matthew Zuk), Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero), and Rita Farr/Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby). Meanwhile, Silas Stone (Phil Morris) reveals a startling truth to Victor Stone/Cyborg (Joivan Wade).

Orgasm Patrol

DC Universe

One of the strangest and funniest scenes in the episode is when Flex flexes the wrong muscle. The team follows after the Beard Hunter (Tommy Snider) since Cyborg’s map points them to him. Eventually, the group stumbles upon Danny the Street. Flex knows a way to enter the White Space, the spaces between the comic book panels where Mr. Nobody stays according to Danny. As soon as Flex attempts to open a portal to that dimension, everyone, even Danny, experiences a powerful orgasm. It was so powerful that Cliff decided to fake one to not feel left out. By the time Flex realizes what he did, it was too late. It took everyone a minute or two to catch their breaths before they tried to open a portal once again.

Past Patrol

DC Universe

The team makes it to the White Space after a second try. Once there, Mr. Nobody presents them with attractive deals. Cliff, Larry, Rita, and Jane found themselves in the past, all before they obtained/controlled their powers. At this point, each of them shows how better people they are in contrast to their past selves. No, they do not remain within the confines of their pasts; they expected Mr. Nobody to try to trap them with it. The best part about this sequence is when Rita decides that Mr. Nobody should not narrate her story; she would. Dumbfounded, Mr. Nobody found himself surrounded by Jane (as Dr. Harrison), Rita, Cliff, the Chief, and Larry. Also, his former lover, Millie (Victoria Blade) haunts him, giving away his weak spot.

Repetitive Patrol

Something was quite odd when Cyborg shows up and shoots Mr. Nobody with his cannon. The scene was too good to be true. The main villain would not be THAT easy to kill. However, this is, after all, Doom Patrol, so oddity is not something out of place. As soon as the Chief shows up in Doom Mansion with the team, complete with their odd red costumes, it became evident that Mr. Nobody is playing around with them once more. Over and over, he made Niles watch the team die at the hands (or feet or laser eyes) of a giant red robot terrorizing the town. If the episode ended at the weird, stereotypical superhero version of the team, it would surely be disappointing. Luckily, this was just a clever illusion by Mr. Nobody.

Truth Patrol

Initially, Cyborg missed out on the action since he stood guard in his dad’s room. It was heartbreaking to watch him realize how his life became based on a lie up until this point. On the night of the accident, both Victor and his mom, Ellinore Stone (Charmin Lee) survived the lab explosion. However, Niles opted to have Victor be the recipient of S.T.A.R. Labs’ cybernetics since he is younger. Vic had to live with the burden of being his Mom’s killer for so long. While it was terrible that he nearly beat Silas to death, it is fitting that he walks out on him. Vic is in for another surprise when he reaches the team.

Niles eventually realizes the dreamscape that Mr. Nobody placed them in, thanks to Vic’s sudden arrival. At this point, it seemed that there was no way to defeat Mr. Nobody, regardless of what choice any of them made. Mr. Nobody offered them a solution. They could get rid of him, sure, but Niles has to do something. It is safe to say that the revelation Niles made shocks everyone. Much like in the comics, Niles is responsible for the tragedies that befell each of them. The person who saved them is the same person who put them in that situation in the first place.

‘Doom Patrol’ Season 1, Episode 14 ‘Penultimate Patrol’ Final Verdict

The decision to use situations in the comics as a basis for how a show goes does not usually happen. Also, doing so is not an easy feat, but the Doom Patrol does this and does it correctly. Now that the truth is out, the team will surely experience divisions. With an enemy as powerful as Mr. Nobody, the team’s only hope of survival revolves on someone as lawless and as insane as he is.

Doom Patrol continues Friday, May 24th at the DC Streaming Service.