‘Doom Patrol’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘Paw Patrol’ Recap: Thwarting the Apocalypse

Once again, the Doom Patrol brings trouble to Cloverton. The misfits’ attempt to stop the Cult of the Unwritten Book fails, letting them usher the eye of the De-Creator. In the threat of absolute destruction, two sworn enemies decide to leave their quarrels behind temporarily. With that, a new cult emerges, threatening to end the De-Creator’s stare of terror.

In this week’s episode fo Doom Patrol, Dr. Niles Caulder/Chief (Timothy Dalton) and Mr. Nobody (Alan Tudyk) place their differences aside to save the world from the De-Creator. The duo comes up with a plan to summon the De-Creator’s counterpart: the Re-Creator. Meanwhile, Rita Farr/Elasti-woman (April Bowlby), Larry Trainor/Negative Man (Matt Bomer/Matthew Zuk), Victor Stone/Cyborg (Joivan Wade) and Willoughby Kipling (Mark Sheppard) make the Re-Creator’s appearance possible. Back at Nurnheim, Cliff Steel/Robotman (Brendan Fraser/Riley Shanahan) and Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero) figure out how to escape.

Temporary Alliance

The thought of the world ending made Mr. Nobody angry. He had other plans in place, and he was not even in the last two episodes. His captive, Dr. Caulder, offers him a plan to get rid of the De-Creator. The De-Creator only exists because of years worth of faith, so making a counterpart to the De-Creator is entirely possible. With that said, Dr. Caulder plans to have Crazy Jane’s charismatic persona, Dr. Harrison, start the Cult of the Re-Creator. Mr. Nobody’s ability to time travel is of great help to this plan, so the two nemeses agree to help each other on this one occasion.

Cult of The Re-Creator

DC Universe

After Mother Archon (Lilli Birdsell) tears through their identities, Cliff and Jane’s current persona, Pennyfarthing leave the mansion. In a fit of anger, Cliff hurts Pennyfarthing’s emotions, causing Hammerhead to take her place. Cliff Wanted to thank Kay Challis (Skye Roberts) for carrying him away when he was just a brain, but Hammerhead refused to budge. They finally figure out that they are inside a snow globe, so they aimlessly wander around, hoping to find an exit.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nobody’s time-traveling led him to find Jane’s charismatic persona, Dr. Harrison. Dr. Harrison can influence anyone who hears her words, making her perfect for the job that Mr. Nobody and Dr. Caulder want her to do. Before Jane met Dr. Caulder, she was a regular patient in a mental institution. Within the confines of the mental hospital, Dr. Harrison starts the Cult of The Re-Creator among both patients and staff alike. Similar to how the De-Creator got summoned, the Re-Creator’s appearance can be made possible by finding and chanting The Rewritten Book. However, there are some key differences.

Unlike the De-Creator, the Re-Creator’s summoning book was not a young boy. Instead, it was a dog. Also, the book did not giveaway its existence either. Unlike the Unwritten Book’s visible symbols on his body, the Rewritten book was a black pug, and the only way to read its texts is if Dr. Harrison rings the bell in Nurnheim. Thanks to Marilyn (Jeanette O’Connor), the threat that Mother Archon and her goons posed against them disappeared. As Dr. Harrison and Cliff rung Nurnheim’s bell, the outside world beholds the sight they see.

The Rewritten Book

DC Universe

The Chief’s sudden return garnered mix emotions. Not only did he return, but he also stood on both feet. However, they knew that his comeback is short-lived under the circumstances. Brokering a deal with Mr. Nobody was the last thing they wanted him to do, but they had no choice. It was either his imprisonment under Mr. Nobody or the end of the world. Having him with them was only a bonus.

To find The Rewritten Book, Dr. Caulder and Willoughby turn to Baphomet (Chantelle Barry) once more. It took a second try, but Baphomet eventually found the book. The team then drives to the location, thinking that the house’s occupant is the book. However, Willoughby read the inscriptions on his body, and they turn out to be generic tattoos. Luckily, his instincts told him that the dog, a pug who sat nearby, is the book.

Willoughby’s instincts prove right. As soon as they stepped outside the house, they hear Nurnheim’s bell. The inscriptions started to glow out of the pug, and Willoughby read them thoroughly, summoning the eye of the Re-Creator. The people, as well as the objects, that disappeared then reappeared, and the eyes engaged in what seemed to be a staring contest. Both of which soon disappear later that evening.

Not The End

DC Universe

The Chief had to return to Mr. Nobody since it was the deal. The misfits refuse to accept this, thinking that they could defend him from whatever Mr. Nobody wants to do with him. However, Mr. Nobody slows down time, taking Dr. Caulder while leaving his children behind. This event causes Cyborg’s Cybernetic arm to malfunction as his cannon charged and misfired on all of them. Meanwhile, Rita waited outside, hoping that Elliot Patterson (Ted Sutherland) would reappear, now free from the curse of being The Unwritten book. Days later, Jane hears someone whisper to her, making her ask, “What the Fuck is the Doom Patrol?”

‘Doom Patrol’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘Paw Patrol’ Final Verdict

This episode did a great job at revealing more background on Jane’s numerous personas. Also, it brings hilarious moments, such as the dialogue between Ezekiel The Cockroach (Curtis Armstrong) and the rat as well as Mr. Nobody’s trademark narration and ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ incidents. There never is a dull moment in this episode, or any one of the show’s chapters, for that matter.

‘Doom Patrol’ continues Friday, March 22nd, with ‘Doom Patrol Patrol’ at the DC Streaming Service.