‘Twisted Metal’ Recap: ‘CRZSRDS’

8/31/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

TWISTED METAL -- "CRZSRDS" Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chelle Ramos as Jamie, Thomas Haden Church as Agent Stone, Michael Carollo as Carl -- (Photo by: Skip Bolen/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Twisted Metal’. To revisit the previous episode, 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.

Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve been treated to some wonderfully unique storytelling, courtesy of the fascinating decision made by the creative team behind Peacock’s Twisted Metal. For the writer’s room chose to focus primarily on world-building and character development, something the video game franchise didn’t prioritize, and that really has immersed us in this world and prompted us to care about John Doe and his plight, and we even have a fine understanding of what makes the villains tick and what life in this world looks like. But let’s be honest, since this is an adaptation of a violent and wild video game, deep down we’ve all known that eventually… that had to take the center stage. To please the hardcore fans and to genuinely provide a flawless adaptation and well, it turned out that the next episode was the perfect time to make that happen.

For ‘CRZSRDS’ saw John and Quiet make their way to the outskirts of Topeka, Kansas and well… rather than be perfectly honest with John about what she had planned for Agent Stone, she opted to knock John out and leave him to fend for himself while she marched into that town, ready to do harm. Which brought about… some wild moments for certain that did the game proud. After of course… offering up some of the trademark character development this series is now known for. Because once Quiet snuck her way into Topeka, under the disguise of one of Stone’s agents, she was forced to really reconcile her brother’s death through an unsettling hallucination and ponder upon, was this really, what she wanted to go through with? Because it became clear, this would put her down a tough path, one that might poison her soul and well… as she inched through Topeka and the hellscape it had become, she committed to her decision, regardless of cost and continued the hunt for Stone, while the depravity of the video game world played out around her.

For instance, back in Nevada, the now touring Sweet Tooth Show, arrived at the Hoover Dam and well… a piss poor reception of the wonder that Sweet Tooth had to offer, led to some ultra-violence. The kind where Sweet Tooth whacked almost every one of Stone’s agents in a manner that was horrifyingly theatrical. But seeing as to how it was agents dying in front of desperate people’s eyes, a little head toss of an agent, went a long way with Sweet Tooth’s new audience. For they applauded him and lauded him, and it even allowed for Sweet Tooth to gather up a following since the saved were eager to follow someone so brutal, and Stu’s efforts to join him in a little payback elevated his status to Sweet Tooth’s impromptu second bestie (because no one replaces Harold, that’s why Stu sits bitch in the van), and well… this was definitely the depravity we’ve come to know and love from the game series. Not to mention, poor John had to deal with a greased up, corpse lovin’ dude when he came to and that was also pretty wild.

However, while it was incredible to be treated to some nutty moments with Sweet Tooth and his special brand of madness, Quiet’s eventual meeting with Agent Stone, since she was discovered in town, and he opted to handle this matter hands on… brought forth the epic action and adventure we truly love about this particular saga. Because it was just Quiet and Stone, shooting at one another in a broken-down amusement park akin to something straight out of the game and that was… pretty darn epic and amazing. Since it perfectly evoked a sense of nostalgia, and memories of those battles where one fought hard to bring down their foe with a hail of bullets and it also… offered up quite the dramatic ending. Because for a hot minute there, it really seemed as though Agent Stone was going to win the day and end Quiet’s life. But thanks to John’s quick timing, an epic missile, and the power of Hanson’s ‘MMMBop’, he was able to teach Stone a lesson and save Quiet.

All of which brought forth, one amazing episode. One that truly leaned into the unhinged nature of the video games and heck yes to that. Because this episode truly captured the bizarre nature of the games, and the explosions we love and hey… let’s be honest… we all wanted more of the darker side of Sweet Tooth, and we got it, and it was dementedly glorious to see it play out and really let the character shine, and it didn’t detract from his journey. Since oddly, ol’ Sweet Tooth is getting the following and wholesomeness he desires. Also… extra body parts to throw around. So. There’s that. But that aside, it was just great that everyone just let loose and had fun and now that Agent Stone appears to be defeated and Quiet is back somewhere safe, it will be interesting to see what awaits John in the Windy City. Until next time.

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