‘Twisted Metal’ Recap: ‘R04DK11’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

TWISTED METAL -- "R04DK11" Episode 109 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mike Mitchell as Stu, Tahj Vaughans as Mike, Joe Seanoa as Sweet Tooth -- (Photo by: Skip Bolen/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Nine of ‘Twisted Metal’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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When we last settled in to discuss the magnificent Peacock series, Twisted Metal, we posed some important questions regarding the show’s titular character, John Doe. For John lost his beloved car in that tale and sacrificed so much before her untimely end and well… we simply were left wondering if this was a growth moment for John. If he was going to learn that things aren’t important and that people and experiences matter more and well, the good news is… that the next episode in this fascinating journey, wasted little time in offering up the answers to our questions. As it turned out, John did learn those all-important lessons and that allowed for ‘R04DK11’ to take us upon one unique and moving journey toward California.
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For once John realized that Quiet meant the world to him, and that adventures with her mattered more over the ride they were traversing the country within, he also realized he needed to set things right and when he stumbled upon a CB Radio, he made an important call. One to the Convoy. Who picked John up and then made their way to Quiet. To save her from a scavenger and save the cargo, since it turned out she lifted it from EV3L1N before she burned brightly. Which gave John the chance to apologize and make amends and well… that went poorly. Because Quiet was rightfully mad, and her PTSD was triggered over being abandoned. Which meant John needed to do something to make her feel special, and loved, and he worked on that while some big things were brewing elsewhere in the nation.

Because out there, in the world, Sweet Tooth was continuing his rampage, and rightfully so. Because one doesn’t simply take a shot at a clown as out there at Sweet Tooth and get away with it, and well… his attacks and the fact that John and Quiet were still out there… prompted Agent Stone to gather his law squad into one central location. One he believed that John and Quiet would have to come through and one that Sweet Tooth would likely find as well. Which would allow for one powerful final battle to take place, and that meant… everyone was making preparations for war in this tale, but the prep that mattered most, was the one that John was undertaking aboard the Convoy. For he had a new car and needed to get it street ready for combat and well… therein lie his chance to do right by Quiet.

Which was why, he assembled custom elements into the car, so that Quiet would feel at home and be part of his ride and his life and that kind gesture… allowed for them to finally talk openly. Wherein they learned what they really meant to one another, before they planned for a future together, and this was just wonderful to see play out. Because it brought forth growth for John and Quiet, and they worked to genuinely heal old wounds here and well, this could not have happened at a better time. Because once this duo declared their love for one another, they set out toward California and traveled through Stone’s blockade. Only to learn… that Stone and his lackeys were waiting for them, and that revelation and the arrival of a flaming Sweet Tooth, ready for combat… set the stage for one epic season finale.

One that might potentially give us a grand recreation of the game’s demolition derby, blow everything up dynamic and that… would be amazing. The RPG cherry on top if you will. Especially after the wonder of one quality character tale. One that offered up growth for the main characters and redemption in a way, and of course, has us all set to enjoy that finale. Wherein we will finally see who will be left standing after weeks of battles and back and forth and attempts on lives, before letting us know how things play out for Quiet and John if they get to San Francisco. Because let’s be honest, there’s no guarantees a series this bold will let everyone make it to the finish line alive, or at all. Especially when chaos rules the land. Which means the only way to know who lives, and who dies and how this journey ends, is to hit play on the season finale and revel in the end of this amazing journey. Until next time.

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