Doom Patrol: The Ideal Offbeat Superhero Series We Craved

Arrow, which started in 2012, marked the beginning of a wave of superhero shows on both network television and streaming platforms. This trend brought us popular series like Daredevil, long-running narratives like The Flash, and experimental endeavors like Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, among these shows, one stood out as an unconventional and exceptional gem: DC's Doom Patrol. As the fourth and final season of the show concludes, we bid farewell to Cliff, Larry, Rita, Jane, and the other peculiar individuals they encountered on their journey.

At first glance, Doom Patrol's concept may bear some resemblance to that of the X-Men: an elderly wise man in a wheelchair resides in a mansion with a group of superpowered individuals who are burdened by their personal struggles. Despite their traumas and conflicts, they must unite as a team to confront the challenges of heroism in a world that despises them. However, the similarities between the two stories end there. While the X-Men claims to explore the lives of individuals living with differences in the real world, it primarily delves into the captivating interpersonal dramas of attractive characters with exciting abilities. Truly unique characters like Beast are vastly overshadowed by figures like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Gambit, and Rogue.

Doom Patrol didn't prioritize the sex appeal or heroism of its characters, but rather their well-being and development. Despite delving into unparalleled levels of oddness, the show's primary focus was on its characters' humanity.

The narrative primarily unfolded through the perspective of the Patrol's latest addition, Cliff Steele, also known as Robotman. Having met a tragic end in a devastating car accident, Cliff awakens to find himself in a mechanical body that would make even RoboCop envious of its capabilities. However, beneath his humanoid appearance lies the harsh reality that he is mere brain matter encapsulated in metallic confinement, controlling his prosthetic body without the ability to feel. Instead of emphasizing Cliff's physical abilities, Doom Patrol delves into the challenges he faces both physically and emotionally. In the earlier episodes, Cliff is portrayed less as a superhero robot and more as a paraplegic undergoing intensive physical therapy. We empathize with his frustration as he struggles to take even a single step. We share his hardships as he attempts to recollect his past and even utter simple words.

Rita Farr appears to be in an enviable situation. As a 1950s movie star, she still maintains her youthful appearance after 70 years, seemingly unaffected by the passage of time. However, her true reality is far from glamorous. Similar to Mr. Fantastic from the Fantastic Four or DC's Plastic Man, Rita experiences constant anxiety and shame. Even the slightest embarrassment causes her to physically transform into a liquid state. Consequently, she becomes a recluse, immersing herself in watching her own movies and consuming entire cooked chickens. The members of the Doom Patrol possess powers that are more like curses than gifts, serving as daily reminders of the pain and shame they endure.

Nevertheless, throughout the story of Doom Patrol, we are encouraged to embrace weirdness and recognize normalcy as the true curse. The team combats an organization called the Bureau of Normalcy, a clandestine government agency determined to suppress and eliminate anything considered strange or unusual from the world. The central theme of the story can be summed up as follows: Allow the weirdos to be weird. While the Patrol often finds themselves facing conflicts with potentially dangerous consequences, just as many of their battles revolve around advocating for and embracing individuality. Whether it involves a surreal avant-garde art collective challenging people to confront their traumas or allowing a hybrid human-neanderthal girl to live her life, the stories and character arcs emphasize the importance of authenticity and freedom to be oneself, rather than attempting to protect individuals from their true nature.

In the first season episode 'Danny Patrol,' a particularly poignant moment occurs. While searching for the missing Dr. Niles Caulder, the characters stumble upon a bustling small-town main street. This street is filled with drag queens, street performers, body modders, and various other individuals. Surprisingly, the street itself is a sentient being known as Danny, who identifies as genderqueer. Danny takes pride in its ability to offer protection and sanctuary to those who are considered different in a world that can be incredibly cruel.

Larry Trainor finds the entire situation challenging to grasp. His life took a drastic turn when he became a test pilot for the government, flying experimental vehicles into space. Larry was not only married with children but also a gay man living in the restrictive 1960s. Society had made him believe that he was a monstrous being, and this idea became deeply ingrained in his soul. When the Negative Spirit entered Larry's body during one of his flights, it caused severe burns and made him highly radioactive. To Larry, it felt like reality was finally reflecting the internal feelings of self-loathing he had carried for so long. Witnessing the unabashed expression of individuality by those on the street is painful for Larry, although he tries his best to accept it. The episode concludes with a musical number where Larry, alongside the character Maura Lee Karupt, sings Kelly Clarkson's "People Like Us." Initially joyous and celebratory, the scene takes a heart-wrenching turn when it is revealed that Larry never actually stood up or joined Maura on stage. It was all a figment of his imagination. In the final scene of the episode, Larry embraces his adopted son Keeg and his first romantic partner in over 70 years, Mr. 104.

Doom Patrol was filled with moments of joy, where characters with painful pasts supported and fought for each other. It showcased the realization that even those who are not traditionally seen as heroes can find common ground with their supposed enemies. While there were certainly antagonists, such as the reality-twisting Mr. Nobody, who possessed both a terrifying and amusing nature, the show's true focus was on the belief that all individuals, regardless of their differences, deserve to exist and be loved. It emphasized that a satisfying and happy ending does not necessarily entail defeating a villain.

Cliff, for example, faced his own battle of acceptance, initially struggling to come to terms with his new body and later with his Parkinson's diagnosis. However, when he finally embraced these challenges, he discovered happiness in meeting his grandson and found peace in knowing that his grandson would have a fulfilling and lengthy life.

There were too many bizarre moments in the show to list comprehensively. From a power-hungry cockroach with aspirations of world domination to the summoning of Sex Ghosts by a mysterious figure named The Shadowy Mr. Evans, only to be thwarted by the XXX-Men, the series never shied away from outlandish scenarios. The Doom Patrol even battled were-butts, zombie were-butts, and eventually encountered singing-dancing zombie were-butts. And of course, who could forget Danny the Street, a sentient genderqueer street that appeared throughout the series? The show embraced its weird and whimsical nature, but it was ultimately the love for its characters that made it a truly enjoyable watch throughout its four remarkably unexpected seasons.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I find "Doom Patrol" to be a refreshing and unique take on the superhero genre. Unlike many other superhero shows, "Doom Patrol" does not prioritize the sex appeal or heroism of its characters, but rather their well-being and development. The show delves into the challenges faced by its characters, both physically and emotionally, and encourages viewers to embrace their own weirdness and individuality.

The characters in "Doom Patrol" are complex and well-developed. They are not simply one-dimensional heroes or villains, but rather flawed individuals who are trying to find their place in the world. I appreciate that the show does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of the characters' lives, such as their traumas and insecurities. This makes the characters feel more relatable and human, and it allows viewers to connect with them on a deeper level.