Review: ‘Doom Patrol’ Season 2 Episode 4 – “Sex Patrol”

"Sex Patrol"

Director: Omar Madha

Writers: Eric Dietel & Tanya Steele

Starring: Dianne Guerrero, April Bowlby, Joivan Wade, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Timothy Dalton, Abigail Shapiro, Devan Chandler Long, Alan Mingo Jr., Stephanie Czajkowski, Michael Tourek, Michael Shenefelt and Tracy Bonner. With Riley Shanahan and Matthew Zuk

Review by Steve J. Ray

Doom Patrol fans rejoice! Flex Mentallo, Maura Lee Karupt and the Dannyzens are back, and they couldn't have come at a better time. Danny has cracked, Rita wants control over her stretching ability and who better to help her then the "Man of Muscle Mystery"?

Flex's most recent adventure with the team was, quite literally, orgasmic, and his abilities in this field have potentially Earth shattering repercussions in this episode. His and Rita's actions lead to the TV debut of Grant Morrison's hilariously intriguing SeX Men. Erotic energy has gone wild, and only Kiss, Cuddles, and Torture can save the day from The Shadowy Mr Evans.

That was a very strange sentence, but once you watch the episode, everything will become clear.

24 Hour Party People

Now that three episodes from season two have aired, I've heard a few people say that the writers have toned down the weird a little, this year. "Sex Patrol" is a step right back down silly street, in the best way possible. There's music, magic, bravery, and bonking in equal measure this week, and the wackiest guest heroes ever. I actually prefer the look of the TV SeX Men over their comic-book counterparts, and their mission is every bit as bonk-ers. The show really builds to quite a climax.

Once again, we also get a great look back into the pasts of some of the main Doom Patrollers. This time the spotlight falls on Rita, Dorothy and The Chief. We get to see Niles and Dorothy on Danny in the 60s, and discover a dark secret from Elasti-Woman's past. All of it is brilliantly acted, beautifully directed, and deliciously demented.

Ladies Night

Abigail Shapiro, April Bowlby, and Devan Chandler Long shine in this episode. Young Abigail sings her heart out and acts her socks off, which I can imagine is no easy feat when wearing layers of cumbersome prosthetics on her face. The scene she shares with Devan, while setting up the house party, is absolutely brilliant. It's heartwarming and inspirational, particularly in light of all the chaos that follows.

Another scene, this time between Rita and Dorothy, is every bit as poignant. At first glance, these ladies could not be more dissimilar, but underneath they're both fragile, damaged, yet utterly sympathetic and lovable, despite their differences, and their awesome powers.

Diane Guerrero has some great character moments too, as we get to see her Scarlet Harlot, Hammerhead (as well as Stephanie Czajkowski's version of the character), and the Painter (A.K.A. The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter) personas. Oh, and if you want to see the most creative way of dealing with a crying baby ever committed to film, then "Sex Patrol" is most definitely the episode for you!

Plus, we get some of the finest WTFs ever from Brendan Fraser, after he lets out his inner party animal, and when the sultry shenanigans take place. It's pure ecstasy.

Conclusion

Dorothy's relationship with her father is starting to crack, and her manipulative imaginary "friend" the Candlemaker's influence is growing. I think that, when he inevitably breaks free, all hell is going to break loose.

I'm so going to be here for that!

Images Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television