‘Twisted Metal’ Recap: ‘NTHLAW1’

8/10/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

TWISTED METAL -- "NTHLAW1" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Tahj Vaughans as Mike, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, Mike Mitchell as Stu, Anthony Mackie as John Doe -- (Photo by: Skip Bolen/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three 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.

One particular problem that persists with video game adaptations for film or television, is that said adaptations tend to be devoid of character development, growth, or even depth for the people we are spending hours with. It’s just the world, and cool and/or familiar characters trudge through in a manner designed to really provide fan service over anything else. But what makes this so problematic is that audiences expect there to be more than just live action moments from the game, they want to see an enriching story, one that features depth and growth for the characters and really… only a handful of video game adaptations offer that and one of them thankfully, is the on the air right now. For Twisted Metal on Peacock really is providing us with that depth as evidenced by the last couple of episodes of the show.

Since Sweet Tooth was presented to us as more than just a maniac in an ice cream truck, but a maniac that loved theater and had aspirations to be a star, and well… he’s not the only villain this series is eager to showcase in a vastly different light. For ‘NTHLAW1’ put Agent Stone in the spotlight and really explored what made him the grade-A, A-hole, that he is in this maddening world. Which as it turned out, related to the fact that he was always a jerk, just one that had to abide by the world’s rules. Which tends to keep the worst of the worst at bay, since many of them are cowards that don’t like pushback. But the end of everything changes the rules, and lets jerkwads embrace the ugly, as was the case with Stone. For this meek yet boastful police officer transformed from an officer that constantly wanted to cross to the line, to one that did, and used the law and the concept of order to hide behind evil actions, and that made for a fascinating examination of this character, one that was peppered in through more character centric moments.

The kind that finally made it clear that John Doe is indeed suffering from deep amnesia and that despite the frenemy vibe he and Quiet share, they have more in common than they know. In that, they do want justice in this world, and they want to see people at their best, but this rotten world doesn’t often let those wishes come true, nor can they really inspire it all that often. But more on that in a moment because we also came to learn… just how tough a duo they are. Because Stuart and Mike were under orders to get John to reveal the mapmaker that he made use of often, since that map avoided all the agency checkpoints and of course, that could cause harm for Stone and his lackeys, and that brought forth the wildest torture sequence ever. One set to Aqua’s ‘Barbie Girl’, and it is one that failed miserably because of how tough John and Quiet are and it ironically… showcased more of the good in their hearts.

Because the failed attempt to break them, allowed for this duo to get some quality time with Stu, and they were able to convert him to the right side by pointing out how awful this place was, and how Stone basically asked him to just… be the worst version of himself. Which allowed for this duo to escape, without Stu sadly, and head back out into the world. Wherein they hopefully see their power over others when it comes to the good, they inspire. Because they turned a villain away from causing harm and that’s huge in this world, and that’s real growth and a chance for more of it, if they can overcome old habits. After all, this is still a wasteland world, full of anger and pain and suffering and it still influences demons. As evidenced by what Quiet wants to do now that she is free to stew in her anger again, which is… to put Agent Stone down in the name of vengeance for her brother.

Which of course, just adds to the wonder of this tale. Because that too, is depth and potential for growth and that is just marvelous to see here. Because it demonstrates that great care went into this adaptation of this wildly popular game, and those working behind the scenes really wanted something special to come together, and it is so far, so good for certain and of course… all of this was handled via the show’s trademark humor. Because the torture scenes shouldn’t have been all that funny, but they most certainly were. Thanks to the song choice and the choices made by Agent Stone to invoke fear, and well, in the end, the potential on the table now… really does leave us eager to continue the journey. Because we simply have to know if John and Quiet can overcome their inner demons and grow into genuine heroes, the kind this broken world needs right now. Until next time.

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