You recognize a present’s on the brink of bow out when the musical episode lands.

Nevertheless, on this case, Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 9 manages to impress with some catchy tunes whereas sustaining their trademark humor.

Energy ballads interrupted by golden showers, ensemble dance items that includes intercourse ghosts, and seeing Larry and Rama in full tails simply goes to indicate the Doom Patrol would not know refined if it got here in driving a were-Butt.

Essentially the most compelling inner battle is between Rouge’s need to let Rita be comfortable and her inner compass for fact.

In an ideal world, Flexible and Laura may meet once more with their recollections wiped, and no proof would ever crop as much as disturb their bestie-level friendship.

Sadly, Rouge insists on serving penance for the wrongs she’s dedicated and is compelled to thwart Isabel/Immortus’s intention to show the world into its devoted zealots.

I’ve to marvel how built-in the personas of Isabel and Immortus grew to become whereas mixing it up within the Time Stream.

I imply, who’s actually in management?

On the one hand, that first dimension-destroying scream on Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 7 looks like it will be Immortus stretching his muscle groups after centuries of banishment.

However since returning to Cloverton, these god-like powers have solely been used to serve Isabel’s self-importance and ego.

I assume figuring out you’ve the facility to subjugate all of actuality to your will reduces any sense of urgency.

What precisely is Immortus’s finish sport? One would not suppose the traditional deity’s objectives would dovetail with Isabel Feather’s goals of fame and recognition.

[singing] Immortimus. Sure, it is Immortimus. / There’s completely nothing suss about in the present day.

Dorothy

Have in mind the entire Immortimas Day is a response to the Doom Patrol being lauded as heroes, celebrated with a parade, and having a day named for them.

A-ha. Even Immortimus Day is not an unique thought. May Immortus be simply as narcissistic as Isabel? Is that even attainable?

Though every thing concerning the musical nature of Isabel’s fever dream smacks of manipulation and entrapment, there’s advantage in the way in which she’s granted everybody’s deepest needs.

Rita’s in her ingredient, planning the last word feast.

Cliff is human and wholesome and… properly, he is Cliff.

Cliff: [singing] I need to drive my stick.
Isabel: [singing] Come on, let’s go child.
Cliff: [singing] Even to this vacation chick.
Isabel: [singing] Rev it up, now. Rev it up, now!
Cliff: [singing] Gotta shift gears, I’m in overdrive. / Immortus is coming and so am I!

Larry’s not radioactive. He and Keeg are content material, and Rama’s a part of his life.

The toughest resolution Larry has to make on this world is what to put on. Is it any marvel he is so tempted to remain?

Dorothy’s lastly bought the household and residential she’s dreamed of getting all her life. It’s curious that Immortus would not carry Niles again to finish her bliss. Does the superlative divine being nonetheless harbor a grudge towards The Chief?

Critically, was there a single individual not associated to him that Niles did not piss off?

Or is it attainable that Dorothy has some lingering resentment in direction of her father?

Perhaps she would not need him to return however would slightly bear in mind him fondly.

Casey’s discovering her solution to actual life and past love. In Immortimus Day world, she would not do not forget that she’s fictional, that her father’s useless, and that she has no clue easy methods to reside in the actual world.

Her tentative flirtations with Jane are excruciatingly candy. Like Jane’s bond with the Sisterhood of Dada on Doom Patrol Season 3 Episode 5, there’s one thing about Casey that fulfills one thing in Jane.

[singing] We rejoice Immortus and the day she was born. / From the time stream to our heartstrings, it’s Isabel we like. / Oh, thank Immortus, I’ve bought nobody to reply to however me! / And I’m so blessed with this circus, my discovered household.

Jane

Jane’s fantasy is probably the most heartbreaking and concurrently, weirdly complementary to Casey’s need to be part of one thing better than herself.

Simply to be herself. To overlook Kay and the opposite alts. To exist and be accountable as a singular entity.

Jane: Why do I really feel like one thing’s off?
Casey: Perhaps your interior self is attempting to inform you one thing? Listening to any voice in your head recently?
Jane: [beat] That’d be fairly bizarre.

However even immersed in a fantasy, actuality comes effervescent up.

Casey’s suggestion that Jane add extra shade to her portray of the Underground echoes her organizing the puzzle items by shade.

I believe Casey holds the important thing to Jane discovering Kay and the alts. With only a few hours left within the collection, I pray that Jane’s conclusion is given the time and therapy it deserves.

Jane: You’re taking this remarkably properly.
Casey: Yeah, I assume I’m simply used to being ripped out of realities.

And, in fact, Rouge’s dream of Rita’s unconditional, unfettered friendship is the primary one shattered.

Rita: I don’t need to be a monster anymore.
Rouge: Rita, you have been by no means a monster to me.
Rita: That’s as a result of on this friendship, you’re the monster.

I ponder if there is a purpose moreover plot progress that Rouge appears proof against Immortus’s powers.

She was resistant to Immortus’s time-turning on Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 8, and he or she’s the primary to recall her true recollections right here.

However it’s Rita who saves Rouge and turns the tables on Isabel/Immortus.

Delivered with the scathing tone and demeanor that April Bowlby has perfected over 4 seasons, Rita demolishes Isabel’s sense of self and standing.

Your want for fixed consideration and adulation is inspiring. Your starvation for perfection – though a hopeless endeavor – is nearly as spectacular as your lack of self-awareness. And eventually, and that is what I do admire most, your potential to be a fair larger narcissist than I may ever be. You suppose you’re all highly effective. YOu suppose you’re all figuring out. Effectively, I do know you as a result of I used to be you and I don’t need to be you anymore. It’s a unhappy, lonely, pathetic existence.

Rita

It is a rallying cry for the crew, illustrating why Niles handed the management of the crew over to Rita. He at all times noticed that she was succesful, if she may solely study to belief in her skills.

The rule about musicals is that you simply sing once you’re too overwhelmed to speak, and once you’re too emotional to sing, you dance.

Cliff’s quantity is one of the best instance of this — properly, not the dancing bit — the place he is so determined to be along with his daughter and see his grandson develop up, he manifests his Robotman self, full with speaking oven mitt, to purpose with. In tune.

My favourite general quantity is Jane and Casey’s duet, with Vic’s energy ballad interruptus a detailed second.

However one of the best lyrics honor goes to Rouge’s counterpoint traces when she wakes up mid-song to the reality of their state of affairs.

[singing] Shit, shit, what is that this? / What the fuck is happening? / Am I talking in a tune? / Oh no, one thing could be very incorrect.

Rouge

And I really like how Isabel/Immortus’s refrain reprises the present’s theme tune. The acapella rendition of it over the opening credit is an bold flex. It is a troublesome one to put in writing out for voices.

If we have been to check two very totally different theme songs, Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds Season 2 Episode 9 did it a smidge higher, however to be truthful, their tune is not as naturally discordant.

On the whole, the choreography’s nothing to put in writing residence about, however the forged holds nothing again.

Particularly, the intercourse ghost backup dancers deserve strong kudos for kicking up their heels whereas sustaining character.

Musical episodes at all times threat overreaching. If the fabric is not sturdy, the forged is not dedicated, or the narrative cannot maintain the context, it is only a gimmick.

Fortunately, Immortimus Day seems to be one thing price singing about.

What say you, Fanatics? Hit our feedback with the place the excessive notes and damaged chords fell for you.

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Diana Keng is a workers author for TV Fanatic. She is a lifelong fan of good sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond ’til she dies. Her responsible pleasures embrace female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and goals huge. Follow her on X.