‘Twisted Metal’ Recap: ‘3RNCRCS’

8/3/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

TWISTED METAL -- "3RNCRCS" Episode 102 -- Pictured: (l-r) Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Joe Seanoa as Sweet Tooth -- (Photo by: Skip Bolen/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Twisted Metal’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

When we last settled in to discuss the delightful new Peacock series, Twisted Metal, we talked at length about how the show had accomplished some incredible feats. In that, it truly did capture the zeitgeist of the game franchise it is based upon, since the violent and twisted nature of those games were present… alongside an equally as delightful twist. In that, this world was expanded upon and featured a depth the game did not capture, allowing for this story to go in a fascinating new direction that would explore the bold new world it introduced, all while offering up some intimate moments with the new characters to this world… and the classic characters that the fans absolutely adore. Such as the one, the only, Sweet Tooth.

For ‘3RNCRCS’ picked up immediately where the series premiere left off, with John Doe and his new friend Quiet (as John christened her), staring down the barrels of Sweet Tooth’s many guns. Which brought forth, another delightful tribute to the game since we were able to see Sweet Tooth’s crazy ice-cream van in action and enjoy some explosions along the way… before truly getting to know the man behind the clown mask. For a crash landing at the Monte Cristo Hotel and Casino, which was Sweet Tooth’s home base, brought forth a bold strategy from John when he realized… there was no way he was going to physically beat this towering clown. So instead, he should get to know him, try, and befriend him and see what would come of that. Which as it turned out… disarmed Sweet Tooth and engendered trust and allowed for us to finally see that Sweet Tooth wasn’t just the bloodthirsty, psychopath we knew from the games… he was a bloodthirsty, psychopath that also wanted to entertain.

Yes, that’s right. He wanted nothing more than to stun an audience with his acting skills and really move them in the process and since John was thinking on his feet in this tale, he was able to free Quiet from the prison that Sweet plunked her into when he caught her sneaking about the casino, to join them at Sweet Tooth’s really weird dinner show. One that basically featured… a dramatic re-creation of the ads that used to run on the casino’s internal channel and well, that led to a scary moment for John and Quiet. For Sweet Tooth really wanted to know if his performance was worthwhile and John couldn’t bring himself to speak to the fact that it blew chunks. But Quiet did, and that… allowed for them to live. For this madman just wanted a little friendship, a little honesty, and some feedback, and some advice on what to do next, and Quiet’s honesty, gave her and John a second chance at life and the freedom to resume John’s mission, and it also inspired Sweet Tooth… to seek out what feeds’ art the most… life experiences.

Which meant Sweet Tooth the auteur was ready to burn down the hotel, hit the road in his van and meet new people, and probably kill them, to just live a different life and see what such experiences would do for him as an artist and well, that made for one brilliant and hilarious episode. Because truly, all we know of this clown, is his bloodlust, which he satiated in the game through a boatload of rockets and wanton murder. But here… he was more at last, since he was quirky and goofy and funny, and that gave rise to one great villain. Because like the greatest ones to grace the silver and small screen, Sweet Tooth hasn’t a clue he’s in the wrong or stark raving mad, he just follows his own path and his heart when it comes to acting and it was amazing to enjoy this introduction to a new version of Sweet Tooth, before seeing trouble unfold.

Because once our heroes were free, they ran into something quite unsavory in this part of the world. The Law. The very Law that Agent Stone has decided will be the foundation to reformation of the United States of America, and that’s bad… since we’ve seen what he envisions for that through what happened to Quiet last week, and through the introduction of his new deputies here. Which is why she was more than happy to go after the guys that hurt her brother, which of course… backfired. That means… another tough challenge is ahead for our heroes, and this will one be tougher than handling Sweet Tooth. Because unlike ST, Agent Stone really doesn’t have any soft spots or dreams to feed. He just loves law and order and that is going to make for another fascinating adventure and character study, from a wonderful and fun series that continues to surprise. Until next time.

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