James Gunn seems to enjoy crafting a pun for each episode of Peacemaker. If that weren’t the case, this week’s next-to-last episode could have easily been titled “Escape From Earth-X!” This is where the action picks up for the 11th Street Kids in the second to last episode of the season, starting with an intense yet brief opening scene that continues directly from where Christopher Smith (John Cena) and Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland) were last seen. Chris, amid a sudden and violent confrontation, breaks up with alt-Harcourt, hinting at the tumultuous events to come. This abrupt start throws them immediately into a fight against the alt-A.R.G.U.S. agents, setting off a desperate escape that blends action with unexpected romantic twists as they try to flee from Earth-Nazi.

Before the 11th Street Kids can successfully escape, they have several obstacles to overcome. They find themselves scattered, a result of last week’s cleverly orchestrated plot twist. Chris, Harcourt, Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), Economos (Steve Agee), and Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) simultaneously, yet separately, realize that Chris’s supposed alternate reality paradise is actually a world dominated by the Third Reich. The fact that Chris missed all the obvious signs during his visits, such as the copies of Mein Kampf and the Hitler mural at A.R.G.U.S., is one of the more humorous points this season. Blinded by grief, Chris had overlooked these details, but now there’s no time for regret as they stir up a nest of hate-filled enemies in Evergreen.

Meanwhile, Adebayo finds herself in a dire situation which resolves in an unexpectedly tidy manner compared to last week’s cliffhanger. Facing exhaustion and rapidly approaching enemies, Adebayo makes a last-second leap into a pool. The mob follows, only for Deus Ex Judomaster (Nhut Le) to arrive just in time, electrocuting them with the shout of “Zippity-zap, bitches!” This line, which Judomaster proudly admits to having used before, plays out as both a thrilling and darkly comedic moment.

Back at the alt-Smith home, Auggie (Robert Patrick) delivers a heap of bad news to Keith (David Denman). He informs him that their version of Chris is likely dead and reveals that he has known about the existence of alternate Earths after encountering his Earth-Prime counterpart years earlier in the Quantum Closet. Auggie describes his counterpart as cruel and from a darker version of their world—information he chose to keep to himself for reasons that soon become apparent.

The episode finds an unexpected moment of beauty in the chaos, dubbed “Escape from Nazi Earth.” Directed by Alethea Jones, the chase sequence set to First Signal’s “Still Pretending,” shows Chris and Harcourt fleeing on the Peace-Cycle, pursued by alt-Evergreen police. The scene is charged with romance and tenderness, portraying them as two rebels finding solace and meaning in each other amidst the encroaching danger. Their brief respite is interrupted when Blue Dragon (Patrick) and Captain Triumph (Denman) swoop in for a dramatic rescue, offering them a chance at survival.

The narrative then shifts to a new cameo from the DC Universe, featuring Sydney Happersen (Stephen Blackehart), a character known for his rational dissent during Lex Luthor’s (Nicholas Hoult) plans against Superman (David Corenswet). Happersen, experienced with interdimensional portals yet preferring them closed, is initially reluctant to assist Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) and Agent Bordeaux (Sol Rodríguez). However, a mere mention of Luthor’s name quickly aligns him with their cause, and he promptly locates an open portal in Evergreen.

Further on, Ads and Judomaster discuss their situation while playing a game of “Scrobble.” Their conversation reveals more about Ads’ crumbling marriage back on Earth-Prime and delves into Judomaster’s perceptions of Chris, who he thinks naively chose to live on Nazi Earth. Their discussion highlights their status as ordinary people in the extraordinary world of the DC Universe, seen as outcasts wherever they go.

The episode also forces Chris to confront the chaos he’s caused, which provokes an uncharacteristic rage in Keith. As the situation intensifies, an unexpected visit from the alternate Detective Larry Fitzgibbon (Lochlyn Munro) adds to the tension. August Smith’s decision to protect Chris from the authorities, despite the risk, marks a poignant moment where he chooses truth over deceit, showing a stark contrast to his more malevolent Earth-Prime counterpart.

The climax reaches a fever pitch when Vigilante-Squared violently eliminates the Blue Dragon, rallying the Kids to fight their way to the Quantum Closet. Keith, in an act of defiance, attempts to stop them but is overwhelmed by Chris’s friends. As they subdue Keith, Chris watches in horror, pleading for them to stop, leading to a reflective moment where he acknowledges his own flaws and the destructive nature of his actions.

Despite the turmoil, the 11th Street Kids manage to escape Earth-X, with Harcourt making a critical decision to prevent Captain Triumph from pursuing them. They return to Earth-Prime, where they face new challenges, including the potential for revenge from Keith Smith, who now bears deep scars from their encounters. The episode leaves viewers contemplating the complexities of identity, allegiance, and the profound effects of their interdimensional journey.

Stray observations

• • A surprising revelation: Vig’s counterpart is shocked to learn that in some realities, the Allies won World War II, humorously questioning if it’s a utopia.
• • Hopes are high that Stephen Blackehart will return in Man Of Tomorrow.
• • It’s a shame that the unique nature of Earth-X means we miss out on a cameo from Annie Chang’s Detective Song.
• • The peculiarities of Earth-X extend to snack foods and board games: Cheet-Os are “Cheet-Ohs,” and Scrabble has become Scrobble, though the gameplay remains unchanged.
• • Robert Patrick delivers a classic line reminiscent of action movie lore.