"Full Nelson" is the eighth and final episode of the second season of the American black comedysuperherodrama television series Peacemaker. It is the sixteenth and final episode overall. Written and directed by series creator James Gunn, it originally aired on HBO Max on October 9, 2025. In the episode, Chris Smith / Peacemaker (John Cena), following his imprisonment, has given up on being a hero, and his team, the 11th Street Kids, try to get back to normal, while Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodríguez) discovers the true plan of Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) with the Quantum Unfolding Chamber. The episode received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its performances and emotional moments, but were polarized over its cliffhanger conclusion and criticized the slow pacing.
In a flashback, one month in the past, Chris and Harcourt talk at a diner. Harcourt reveals she has been fired from A.R.G.U.S. and is "no longer special", but Chris disagrees. He decides to take her to a nearby Nelson concert in a boat. They dance, culminating in a kiss. However, Harcourt leaves immediately, disappointing Chris.
In the present, Chris is incarcerated while awaiting his court date and refuses to accept visits from the 11th Street Kids. Using a supply of confiscated drug money, Adebayo bails Chris out, but he simply takes his pet eagle, Eagly, and leaves town. A.R.G.U.S. has seized ownership of the alien device, allowing them to access and lock doors in the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, granting them access to the multiverse. Harcourt and Fleury are sent to inspect a universe in a door, but they are attacked by small creatures that end up killing A.R.G.U.S. agent Kline, forcing them to retreat. Economos grows disillusioned with the project, as A.R.G.U.S. head Rick FlagSr. is using Lex Luthor's team and informs him about the doors. After discovering many dangerous dimensions wherein many agents are killed, A.R.G.U.S. eventually finds a habitable planet they name "Salvation", and Flag Sr. pitches this to the government as a prison for metahumans, feeling that prisons like Arkham and Belle Reve lack the resources. This is accepted, but Bordeaux dislikes the idea. She secretly meets with Harcourt to reveal the project, and cooperates with the Kids to locate Chris. They find his motel and talk to him about his importance in their lives. As they leave, Chris asks Harcourt if their night at the boat meant something. She admits it did, which he happily celebrates in private.
One week later, the 11th Street Kids have started a new agency, Checkmate, alongside Fleury, Bordeaux, and Judomaster. Chris and Harcourt are also dating and attend a Foxy Shazam concert together. As he returns to his motel, Chris is kidnapped by A.R.G.U.S. operatives and brought before Flag. They take him to the door to Salvation, with Flag revealing he faked Chris's signature so he could be used as a test before any metahuman is brought in. They shove Chris through the door and close it on him, trapping him in Salvation.
Production
In February 2022, when Peacemaker was renewed for a second season, James Gunn was confirmed to serve as the writer for all episodes.[1] Likewise, "Full Nelson" was written and directed by Gunn. The episode marked Gunn's 16th writing credit and his eighth directing credit for the series.[2] Two weeks before the episode aired, he revealed that a third season was unlikely to happen, but there were still plans for the characters in other media.[3] When asked about a hypothetical third season after the episode's release, he explained that the characters would be returning "soon" before adding, "that doesn't mean that there won't be. I don't want to... never say never. But right now, no."[4][5] The episode introduces the concepts of Checkmate and the planet Salvation, which originates from the 2007 limited series comic book Salvation Run by Bill Willingham and Lilah Sturges. Gunn stated that he had mapped out the story arc of Peacemaker's first and second seasons before signing on as co-chairman of DC Studios. He noted the introduction of Checkmate and Salvation in particular, saying, "those were things that I had pitched to everybody before we ever came into DC and then after we came into DC and we met with the writers room and worked things out a little bit more." He also stated that the two would be "instrumental" to the overarching story of the DC Universe (DCU),[6] particularly the upcoming Lanterns television series.[7]
Several rock music songs were featured in the episode including "Someone Special" by Hardcore Superstar, "Fucking My Heart in the Ass" by Steel Panther, "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Dee Snider, "Only My Heart Talkin'" by Alice Cooper, "Reckoning" by Cruel Intentions, "To Get Back to You" by Nelson, and "Oh Lord" by Foxy Shazam.[8] Additionally, the bands Nelson and Foxy Shazam make cameo appearances in the episode.[9] Gunn pitched to Ryan Reynolds the idea of having his X-Men film series and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) character Wade Wilson / Deadpool make a cameo in the episode. Had the idea gone forward, the Peacemaker characters would have opened a door in the Quantum Unfolding Chamber to find Wilson. While Reynolds was on board with the idea, Gunn could not do it as they would've needed to "go through some pretty, pretty big hoops to do that".[7]
"Full Nelson" was originally released on October 9, 2025, on the streaming service HBO Max.[10] "Full Nelson" received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10.[11]
Scott Collura of IGN rated the episode 6 out of 10. He described it as a "mixed bag", writing that it "manages to wrap-up the Chris/Harcourt relationship dilemma in a finely acted and emotionally satisfying way, while short-changing most of the rest of the cast." He also criticized the role of Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. as feeling "unearned". Though he did admit he was interested to see where the story progressed in future DCU projects.[12] Jarrod Jones of The A.V. Club graded the episode an "A". He praised the episode's ending, noting that it gave the series closure while still setting up future story arcs for Peacemaker.[13] Writing for Vulture, Scott Meslow felt that the episode was a lackluster conclusion, noting that it served primarily to establish elements for the DCU. However, he did praise the resolution for Chris and Harcourt's romantic subplot. He rated the episode 2/5 stars.[14] Joe George of Den of Geek wrote, "if there's one thing Gunn knows how to do, it's surprising us with his comic book takes. The existence of Salvation in the DCU proves that." He noted adapting Salvation Run was an odd choice given the largely negative reception to the comic.[15]
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