Season 2 of Peacemaker is back in full swing, with episode 2 seemingly setting up the journey ahead for John Cena’s title character. Thanks to the multiversal shenanigans and proximity to the blockbuster Superman movie, it seems like every episode will be important to James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe moving forward.
So as you carve out time to watch Peacemaker this week, here is everything you need to know in the lead-up to season 2, episode 3.
When does Peacemaker S2E3 come out?
Episode 3 of season 2 of Peacemaker will be released on the HBO Max streaming service at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 4.
The latest episode, titled “Another Rick Up My Sleeve,” is expected to have a runtime of 45 minutes. That doesn’t include the end credits, the outtakes or the preview of the following episode, which added about 3 minutes to episode 2.
(Warning: Spoilers for Season 2, Episode 3 of Peacemaker and Superman ahead).
Who will show up in this episode?
Between the main DC Universe timeline and the alternate dimension that Peacemaker stumbled upon in episodes 1 and 2, the next episode could feature multiple versions of characters we already know. Here is the unofficial cast list for season 2, episode 3:
- John Cena as Christopher Smith, a.k.a Peacemaker
- Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt
- Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo
- Steve Agee as John Economos
- Freddie Stroma as Adrian Chase, a.k.a. Vigilante
- Frank Grillo as Rick Flagg Sr.
- Sol Rodriguez as Sasha Bordeau
- Tim Meadows as Langston Fleury
- Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith, a.k.a. The White Dragon
- David Denman as Keith Smith
On top of the returning main cast, Michael Rooker is slated to make an appearance as Red St. Wild at some point this season. It remains to be seen if or when Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl or Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord will return after their cameo appearances in episode 1.
What to expect in Peacemaker S2E3
In episode 2, Peacemaker disposed of his dead doppelgänger’s body with some help from Vigilante. He kept his alternate self’s phone, though, which he used to find out more about his relationship with Harcourt. His attempt to connect with the Harcourt of his own universe didn’t go anywhere, leading Peacemaker to seek out to the seemingly perfect world he stumbled upon in episode 1. At the same time, a brief mention of drug use suggests not everything is as it seems.
Peacemaker’s continued use of the Quantum Unfolding Chamber is making it difficult for Economos to keep covering for him, especially with the arrival of agent Langston Fleury. If it weren’t for Eagly attacking Fleury and stopping ARGUS’ secret raid, Rick Flagg Sr. would have had justification to send Peacemaker back to prison. Flagg isn’t likely to stop seeking vengeance for his son anytime soon, so another push to pin a crime on Peacemaker could be in the works. But with Peacemaker taking refuge in another universe, it remains to be seen how he will track down the morally gray superhero.
Here is the official synopsis for season 2, episode 3 of Peacemaker:
“As Peacemaker receives praise as a hero, he uses the alternate dimension to deepen his bond with Harcourt. Meanwhile, Economos faces criticism for the mission’s failure.”
How does Peacemaker fit into the DC Universe?
The DC Extended Universe that existed from 2013 to 2023 effectively got scrapped when James Gunn came in to head up DC Studios alongside producer Peter Safran. The continuity didn’t get a completely fresh start, though, since Gunn wanted to continue stories that he had written and directed pre-reboot.
Cena’s Peacemaker initially appeared in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, which was a loose sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad. Harley Quinn, Rick Flagg Jr. and Amanda Waller were among the characters to appear in both films. Waller and Flagg Jr. haven’t appeared on screen in season 2 yet, but multiple references confirm that at least some plot points have been ported over.
The “Previously On” at the beginning of the season 2 premiere fully retconned certain aspects of season 1, which makes it hard to gauge what is cannon and what isn’t. The Justice Gang arrived late to save the day instead of the Justice League, for example, with reshoots replacing Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash with the new versions of Green Lantern and Hawkgirl. The silhouettes of David Corenswet’s Superman, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl and Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Teriffic replaced those of Henry Cavill’s Superman and Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, as well.
It still remains to be seen if Robert Pattison’s Batman and Colin Ferrell’s Penguin are part of the same universe as Peacemaker & co.
Peacemaker exploring this alternate universe in more depth could provide some more insight into how “elseworlds” work in the new DC Universe, as well as what lies ahead from a reboot perspective.
