Better Goff Dead

Last updated
"Better Goff Dead"
Peacemaker episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 3
Directed by James Gunn
Written byJames Gunn
Featured music
Cinematography byMichael Bonvillain
Editing by Fred Raskin
Original air dateJanuary 13, 2022 (2022-01-13)
Running time39 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Best Friends, For Never"		Next →
"The Choad Less Traveled"
Peacemaker season 1

"Better Goff Dead" is the third episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker , a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad . The episode was written and directed by series creator James Gunn. It originally aired on HBO Max on January 13, 2022, alongside "A Whole New Whirled" and "Best Friends, For Never".

Contents

The series is set after the events of The Suicide Squad, and follows Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. Smith returns to his home but is forced to work with A.R.G.U.S. agents on a classified operation only known as "Project Butterfly". Smith also has to deal with his personal demons, including feeling haunted by memories of people he killed for "peace", as well as reconnecting with his estranged father. In the episode, the team prepares for their assassination target, where Smith learns more about the suspected "Butterflies".

The episode received positive reviews from critics, who praised the action sequences, directing, character development and performances.

Plot

Christopher Smith / Peacemaker informs his teammates Clemson Murn, Emilia Harcourt, John Economos and Emilia Harcourt about the small spaceship he discovered. They spot Vigilante watching them and persuade him to leave. Murn reveals the team's first mission: help Peacemaker assassinate United States Senator Royland Goff, a 'Butterfly'. Murn instructs Peacemaker to also kill Goff's wife and children if they are Butterflies, but Peacemaker hesitates at killing children. Peacemaker asks what a Butterfly is, but Murn declines to explain. Murn later tells Economos of his distrust of Peacemaker; Murn also speaks of atoning for his own checkered past.

The team conducts a stakeout outside the Goff household. The family arrives with two bodyguards, including Judomaster. When Goff's other bodyguard blocks a shot on Goff, Murn disallows shooting, as the bodyguards may not be Butterflies. The family enters the house, delaying the assassination. Waiting, Peacemaker chats with Harcourt, stating that his father Auggie led him to being a killer. Vigilante appears, having followed the team; Murn allows him to stay to avoid compromising the mission. The family gathers in the dining room, presenting a clear shot. Murn recognizes that the family are Butterflies when they take out a honey-like liquid, which they feed on using proboscis-like tongues. Murn orders Peacemaker to kill the entire family, but Peacemaker freezes, unable to shoot. Seeing this, Vigilante replaces Peacemaker, killing Goff's wife and children, but before Goff can be shot, Judomaster attacks and incapacitates Vigilante, Peacemaker and Harcourt. Goff's other bodyguard holds Harcourt at gunpoint, and is in turn held at gunpoint by Adebayo. Harcourt urges Adebayo to execute the bodyguard to protect the team; Harcourt kills him when Adebayo hesitates.

Goff and Judomaster kidnap Peacemaker and Vigilante into the house's basement. Goff sends Judomaster away to inform 'Glan Tai' what happened. Economos, who was ordered by Murn to prevent any escapees, rams Judomaster's car and then bludgeons Judomaster unconscious. Goff unmasks Vigilante, who Peacemaker recognizes as Adrian Chase. Goff demands information from Peacemaker, but fails to get any, even after torturing Vigilante via electrocution and cutting his toe. Murn, Harcourt and Adebayo use an explosive to access the basement; the explosion blasts Murn back, but he is largely unharmed. The explosion blasts Peacemaker forward; he escapes from his bonds, fights Goff and shoots Goff's face, killing him. A butterfly-like alien emerges from Goff's head. The team's computer show thousands of suspected Butterflies worldwide.

Production

Development

In July 2021, the episode's title was revealed as "Better Goff Dead". [1]

Casting

In February 2021, Nhut Lee would portray Judomaster in the series as a recurring role, with the episode marking his debut in the series. [2]

Critical reception

"Better Goff Dead" received positive reviews from critics. Samantha Nelson of IGN gave the three-episode premiere a "great" 8 out of 10 rating and wrote in his verdict, "Peacemaker isn't quite as sharply written as Amazon's The Boys , but James Gunn is aiming for the same sort of subversive superhero show, using excessive violence and biting humor to deconstruct the failings of the genre. The three-episode premiere offers a goofy takedown of vigilantism while hinting at bigger and darker plots to come." [3]

Jarrod Jones of The A.V. Club gave the three-episode premiere an "A-" grade and wrote, "Peacemaker is a stacked deck of fearsome insanity and there's a lot to accept in these first three episodes. It's vulgar, violent, prone to non sequitur, and has more than one dance sequence in store for you. But don't you dare let its ceaseless barrage of profanity, nudity, and slaughter dupe you into thinking otherwise: James Gunn's Peacemaker comes packing, among other things, a beating heart." [4]

Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone gave the three-episode premiere a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Between the blood and guts, the slapstick, the political satire, and the musical digressions, there is a lot going on here. Yet the series functions as a sincere character study of its flawed hero — and the unfortunate souls who have to work alongside him — just enough for the joke to never quite wear thin. Even in a wildly oversaturated market for tales of hypermuscular men and women punching their way to justice, Peacemaker stands out. You'll wanna taste it, even the parts that are in incredibly bad taste." [5] Alec Bojalad of Den of Geek gave the three-episode premiere a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Ultimately, Peacemaker is another win for the suddenly surprisingly competitive DC Comics TV landscape." [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peacemaker (character)</span> Comic book superhero

Peacemaker is the name of a series of fictional characters originally owned by Charlton Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. The original Peacemaker first appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 and was created by writer Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette.

Judomaster is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

The L.A.W. is a six-issue American comic book limited series, published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adrian Chase</span> DC Comics character

Adrian Chase is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the second DC character to bear the name Vigilante.

A.R.G.U.S. is a government organization in DC Comics. A.R.G.U.S. first appeared in Justice League vol. 2 #7 and was created by Geoff Johns and Gene Ha.

<i>The Suicide Squad</i> (film) 2021 superhero film by James Gunn

The Suicide Squad is a 2021 American superhero film based on the DC Comics team Suicide Squad. Produced by DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, and the Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a standalone sequel to Suicide Squad (2016) and the 10th film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film was written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson. In the film, several convicts join a task force known as the "Suicide Squad" in exchange for lighter sentences. They are sent to the South American island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy all traces of the giant alien starfish Starro the Conqueror before it falls into the local government's control.

Jennifer Holland is an American actress and model. She is best known for her work as Emilia Harcourt in the DC Extended Universe productions The Suicide Squad (2021), Peacemaker, Black Adam, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). She also appeared as Ashley in the sex comedy film American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009).

<i>Peacemaker</i> (TV series) 2022 superhero series by James Gunn

Peacemaker is an American superhero television series created by James Gunn for the streaming service HBO Max, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The first season is the only DC Extended Universe (DCEU) television series and a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. Set after the events of the film, it further explores jingoistic mercenary Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. It was produced by the Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and with Gunn as showrunner. The second season is produced by DC Studios and set in the DC Universe (DCU), a "soft reboot" of the DCEU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)</span> Fictional character

Amanda Blake Waller is a fictional character in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and later the DC Universe (DCU) media franchise. She is portrayed by Viola Davis and is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. A morally ambiguous character as portrayed in the comics, Waller is a ruthless, calculating government official who oversees the operations of the Suicide Squad, tasking them with deadly missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Characters of the DC Extended Universe</span>

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on superhero films and other series starring various titular superheroes produced by DC Films / DC Studios, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, and based on characters that appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. Despite numerous film series in the past on characters such as Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern, none of those film series were connected. The DCEU debuted in 2013 with Man of Steel, centered on Superman, and has grown to include other characters such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and several others included in this list. The shared universe, much like the original DC Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters, and crossed over with separate timelines from other DC-licensed film series in The Flash to create a "multiverse" before being largely rebooted as the new DC Universe franchise under new management from DC Studios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peacemaker (DC Extended Universe)</span> DC Extended Universe character

Christopher "Chris" Smith, also known as the Peacemaker, is a fictional antihero in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and DC Universe (DCU) media franchises, based on the Charlton / DC Comics character of the same name. Adapted for film by writer/director James Gunn, he is portrayed by John Cena. Smith operates as a vigilante who aims to achieve peace at any cost, which results in a 30-year prison sentence at Belle Reve Penitentiary. He is approached by the facility's warden and the director of A.R.G.U.S., Amanda Waller, to join a strike team called Task Force X along with other inmates on an infiltration mission to the remote island of Corto Maltese. After being incapacitated during the mission, he is nursed back to health by A.R.G.U.S. and assigned to accompany a group of their agents for "Project Butterfly".

"A Whole New Whirled" is the series premiere of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written and directed by the series creator James Gunn. It originally aired on HBO Max on January 13, 2022, alongside the two follow-up episodes.

"Best Friends, For Never" is the second episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written and directed by series creator James Gunn. It originally aired on HBO Max on January 13, 2022, alongside "A Whole New Whirled" and "Better Goff Dead".

"The Choad Less Traveled" is the fourth episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written by series creator James Gunn and directed by Jody Hill. It originally aired on HBO Max on January 20, 2022.

"Monkey Dory" is the fifth episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written by series creator James Gunn and directed by Rosemary Rodriguez. It originally aired on HBO Max on January 27, 2022.

"Murn After Reading" is the sixth episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written and directed by series creator James Gunn. It originally aired on HBO Max on February 3, 2022.

"Stop Dragon My Heart Around" is the seventh episode of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written by series creator James Gunn and directed by Brad Anderson. It originally aired on HBO Max on February 10, 2022.

"It's Cow or Never" is the eighth episode and first season finale of the American superhero television series Peacemaker, a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The episode was written and directed by series creator James Gunn. It originally aired on HBO Max on February 17, 2022.

<i>Peacemaker</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American superhero television series Peacemaker is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It is the only television series in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and a spin-off from the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. Set after the events of the film, the season further explores jingoistic mercenary Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. It was produced by the Safran Company and Troll Court Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and with James Gunn as showrunner.

The second season of the American superhero television series Peacemaker is based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It is set in the DC Universe (DCU) and serves as a "soft reboot" of the series, which started as a spin-off from the 2021 DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film The Suicide Squad. The season continues the story of jingoistic mercenary Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. It is produced by DC Studios with James Gunn as showrunner.

References

  1. ↑ Feser, Moly (July 26, 2021). "Peacemaker Show Premiere Date Revealed & First 3 Episodes Release Same Day [UPDATED]". Screen Rant . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 4, 2021). "'Peacemaker': James Gunn HBO Max Series Adds Nhut Le As Judomaster". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ↑ Nelson, Samantha (January 4, 2022). "Peacemaker Premiere Review: "A Whole New Whirled," "Best Friend, for Never" and "Better Goff Dead"". IGN . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  4. ↑ Jones, Jarrod (January 13, 2022). "James Gunn's rowdy Peacemaker offers vulgar counterprogramming for the superhero set". The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  5. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (January 4, 2022). "'Peacemaker' Declares War on Self-Serious Superheroes". Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ Bojalad, Alec (January 13, 2022). "Peacemaker Is Another TV Bullseye for DC". Den of Geek . Retrieved August 6, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.