‘Twisted Metal’ Recap: ‘SHNGRLA’

10/23/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

TWISTED METAL -- "SHNGRLA" Episode 110 -- Pictured: (l-r) Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, Anthony Mackie as John Doe -- (Photo by: Skip Bolen/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale 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 currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

Truly, one of the most difficult aspects of adapting a video game for film and television, is figuring out how to end said adaptation. Because in the video game world, ending the story is easy. For you simply need to have a boss battle, one that is epic, amazing, and engaging, and once the player brings that final battle to a close… they’re treated to a quick denouement that leaves them satisfied with their accomplishments and they can move onto the next game. But in film and TV, endings must be nuanced. For they need to bring every plot thread and the characters’ journeys together and it needs to properly bring the story to its close and well… that’s tough.

Because so many adaptations want to follow the game and end it similarly and that often gives rise to unfulfilling endings that feel rushed in nature. Which is a reality that undoubtedly left fans of the Peacock series, Twisted Metal, quite nervous in nature. Because that meant, there was a chance this beautifully nuanced series might offer up a rushed ending that disappointed. But thankfully, the season one finale of this show, figured out the right blueprint for bringing a video game adaptation to a close. A feat that ‘SHNGRLA’ accomplished by way of several storytelling surprises. One of which involved… offering the audience a different kind of final battle, one that just so happened to be featured, early on in the story.

For if you recall, the last time we left John and Quiet, they were facing off against Agent Stone and his lawmen lackeys, and well… rather than draw out that battle… the show just got right to it. Giving everyone the demolition derby style battle that was celebrated and loved from the game and well, the show did not disappoint here. Because the missiles flew, the blood flowed left, and right and bad people got their comeuppance. For the lackeys were put down in a beautiful and just manner, and Sweet Tooth seemed to get his for his crimes. But the one that mattered was Agent Stone. Who was given the same choice he gave Quiet long ago when he finally bested. Allowing for this coward to pay the piper at last and with the final battle in hand, the story could move forward and give the characters and the plot the closure it needed.

Which it accomplished by having John embark on a new life, and the same went for Quiet. For they parted ways at New San Francisco so John could live the good life and Quiet could do good in the world as a different kind of delivery driver, one that fed the poor and kept the good stuff away from the rich. Which gave them each fascinating perspective on life and helped them to understand… they were in love and should be together. Which proved to be problematic for John. Because it turned out that the whole point of this mission for Raven, was to have John audition for… another demolition derby. One that saw the wildest and toughest drivers compete for the amusement of the elite. And that pushed Raven to make John quite the offer to get what she wanted. Wherein if John complied and stayed, he’d be given his memories, since old San Fran was in fact, his home and his old house still stood. But John wanted no part of that, but Raven made it clear, he had no choice in the matter. She was just trying to be nice about it.

All of which, really did make for a perfect finale. Because it gave the audience what they wanted and still respected the story enough to bring everything to its conclusion and set up the future. One that will see John fight for what he wants in life, and that journey and the tournament ahead will likely be complete with commentary on class warfare no less, and feature more of what we love. Plus, it will dig deeper into John’s past, since we now know his sister is out there and alive and well, and running her own community and of course… we now know that Sweet Tooth is mostly fine after all, and has his bestie back and is ready to wreak havoc and well, you cannot ask for more than that from a finale and hopefully, Peacock renews this series for a second season and more. So, we can enjoy more of this magnificent series, one that pays respect to the game properly, while giving us so much more. Until next time.

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