Pretty darn good first episode, right? I'm particularly interested to hear what you think of this episode if, like me, you didn't watch season one and you're just jumping in after you had such a good time with Superman. Some of you were like, I don't know, Grace. And I was like, trust me, come along for this ride. And so, what do you think so far? I mean, yeah, I had a few issues with it, which we'll touch on. I think overall, it's extremely well constructed by James Gunn, who wrote and directed this episode. He wrote all the episodes and directed a few of them. But lots of Easter eggs for Shock and Awe. You know what I'm talking about. I geeked out hardcore when I saw that when I first got my screeners and I knew it would light a fire under everybody with this premiere, but there are a lot of other cool things, too. But then I think it does a nice job with a really strong emotional hook with the reveal of Peacemaker's perfect alternate universe. Perhaps too good to be true. We'll find out.
The episode is very similar to Guardians of the Galaxy, even down to the title treatment. Yes, it is. People like Guardians of the Galaxy. I like Guardians of the Galaxy. I thought the third one and the Christmas special were particularly good. Now, why did I mention the last three episodes? Well, James Gunn's been going around telling everybody that that's where this stuff really starts to cook. He says it's so secretive he hasn't even shown it to his own people, much less the critics. We got the first five episodes in advance, but there's three more, which apparently are where it all gets knocking foots, so we'll see. The episode is doing pretty darn good, trending number three last I checked. But it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Very interesting. You know, even if things maybe get a little more story-oriented than Easter egg-oriented for the next few episodes, if the show does finish strong with the back three, and it's clever to do the back three because, you know, when things start to heat up with six, people might go, "Oh I'm missing the hot stuff." And then go watch and binge Peacemaker up until then so they can join the party for seven and eight. If those episodes are incredible, that's going to be a really much needed win for DC that will build off of Superman and help pull Superman up a little bit as well because those international numbers are still pu stinky.
Now, on that note, let's talk Easter eggs first, right? There are a lot of really cool stuff to discuss. Right out of the gate, Gunn, ever the true comic book fan, hits us with a deep cut with a Kite Man shout out. I can't tell you how happy this made me. As happy as the Justice Gang stuff because I do love the Harley Quinn animated season, even though the last season was not good. But I've loved that show for many a year. Gunn cameoed on that show, and I think fans of Harley Quinn would be thrilled. I would be so thrilled if Kiteman actually showed up. Don't tease me. He better be played by Matt Oberg who voices him on the animated series. It would ruin it if it wasn't Matt Oberg.