With Season 2 Halfway Done, Peacemaker Still Doesn’t Know What to Do With Vigilante

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In its second season, Peacemaker is playing a significant role in connecting the dots between the old DC Universe and James Gunn’s new version. The opening recap makes it clear that Christopher Smith’s unconventional family, the 11th Street Kids, will continue to feature. One of the delights returned from the first season is Freddie Stroma’s character, Adrian Chase, better known as Vigilante. With his endless wit and disturbing undertones, Vigilante was a standout in the original series, captivating audiences with his entertaining yet unnerving performance. As a fan-favorite, he provided some of the show’s most enduring moments through his sincere psychopathy and misguided loyalty.

Warning: Spoilers below for Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 4

In its second season, the show Peacemaker is consistently funny, thanks in part to the exceptional performance of John Cena as Vigilante. He brilliantly portrays the character’s genuine sincerity and social awkwardness, creating numerous humorous moments. However, as we move towards the halfway point of the season, Vigilante – who was once rich with thematic depth – has been predominantly used for comedic effect. His involvement often consists of witty remarks and subtle, awkward reactions, which is a marked decrease from his significant role in the first season. Despite this, the show remains highly entertaining. Yet, reducing his character in this manner seems to overlook a potential opportunity. It minimizes one of the series’ intriguing characters, failing to fully leverage the captivating dynamic between Vigilante and the protagonist, which could have added depth to the narrative.

Vigilante Has a Purpose on Season 1 of Peacemaker

In the debut season of “Peacemaker,” Adrian Chase played a significant role in establishing the series’ key themes. The ruthless nature of Vigilante acted as a grim reflection of Christopher Smith, hinting at the man Chris might have become without his ability for self-reflection. His jovial and unwavering attitude towards violence starkly contrasted Peacemaker’s internal battle with his violent history, specifically the murder of Rick Flag Jr., portrayed by Joel Kinnaman.

In the heart-wrenching scenario of a clandestine operation targeting an alien Butterfly US Senator and his kin, I found myself witnessing a chilling display of callousness. When Peacemaker faltered, struggling with his conscience over sparing the innocent children, Vigilante, without a moment’s hesitation, mercilessly wiped out the entire family while humming a melody. This gut-wrenching scene served to underscore the lingering traces of humanity within Chris, as it laid bare Adrian’s cold-blooded brutality. Vigilante’s actions left not only the audience, but also the characters, grappling with the grim truth of their mission, revealing the questionable foundations of a belief system that deems lethal force as the sole solution.

In addition, Vigilante’s steadfast devotion to Peacemaker presented chances to introduce unexpected emotional complexities to his persona. His choice to voluntarily get imprisoned alongside Chris’s abusive father, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick), was an ill-advised display of friendship. He thought eliminating Auggie would finally alleviate Chris from his mental suffering, however, his plan to antagonize the White Dragon turned out to be laughably ineffective. When things went awry and Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) had to rescue him, Vigilante was genuinely concerned that he might have worsened the situation for his friend. This instance of vulnerability revealed a character yearning for connection and affirmation beneath his murderous enthusiasm, infusing a tragic dimension that transcended a mere stereotype.

Vigilante Is the Only Season 2 Character Without an Arc

As the second season of Peacemaker reaches its midway point, it’s evident that each member of the 11th Street Kids has been assigned a distinct emotional journey – with the exception of Vigilante. Christopher Smith finds himself in the midst of a complex multiverse crisis, compelled to face an alternate version of his life that showcases the joy he was deprived of. Emilia Harcourt struggles under Amanda Waller’s blacklisting (portrayed by Viola Davis), and revelations about her past affair with Rick Flag Jr. alter her entire dynamic with Chris. Even Eagly, who often serves as comic relief, has been drawn into his own narrative arc with the emergence of his arch-nemesis, Red St. Wild, played by Michael Rooker.

In the midway point of Season 2 of “Peacemaker,” Vigilante finds himself struggling to fit into the storyline, his role often disconnected from the main plot threads. Although he consistently delivers humorous lines and peculiar non-sequiturs, his contributions to advancing the story or developing his character have been minimal so far. The show has subtly suggested a possible source of conflict through Vigilante’s growing envy towards the growing bond between Chris and Leota Adebayo; however, this emotional aspect has yet to be fully explored.

In a humorous vein, Vigilante remains popular. Yet, the first season of Peacemaker showed that the series shines brightest when it skillfully blends humor with substantial character development. This approach enabled its cast to be both side-splittingly funny and complex characters undergoing transformation. It’s unfortunate that, as of now, Vigilante hasn’t received the same thoughtful treatment in the new season, focusing more on comedy at the expense of deeper character progression.

New episodes of Peacemaker premiere on HBO Max on Thursdays.

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2025-09-13 18:42