Peacemaker‘s penultimate episode gave us a lot more insight into Chris Smith’s (John Cena) “perfect” alternate universe. And just when we all thought we understood that it was the Nazi America, Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick) says something that throws a wrench into our assumptions.
**Spoilers for Peacemaker season 2 lie ahead**
In episode 6, Chris learned that his “perfect” world was filled with Nazis. Ads (Danielle Brooks) had to run away from Keith (David Denman) when he announced to everyone that “one got out” and suddenly the world Chris was willing to give up everything for was a lot darker than the world he lived in.
Now, we know that this world is one where the Nazis won World War II and it resulted in people of coloring being thrown into camps, as Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) telling everyone. But when Chris, Emilia (Jennifer Holland), and Economos (Steve Agee) all get caught up with Auggie and Keith, they learn some pretty shocking information.
The most shocking part about this back and forth was when Auggie pushed back at being called a Nazi. “Don’t call me that,” he said and when Emilia says “Don’t call you a Nazi?,” he responds by saying “I don’t agree with them.” Before he can explain what he means, Vigilante flies into the kitchen and stabs him repeatedly, stopping Auggie’s explanation right then and there.
He’s still not a good guy
We can tell throughout the rest of the episode that Chris is in shock. He thinks that his alternate universe is still a good dude and arguably, he’s better than Chris’ real dad but he is still upholding Nazi values. He might not “agree” with them but his son was the one who jumped out of a car and screamed at Ads.
Vigilante’s response to Auggie and Keith is telling. When our normal Adrian says that his best friend is Peacemaker, the new universe’s Adrian is furious because Auggie, Keith, and Chris in that universe all uphold the racist values of the Nazis in charge. He’s not absolved of sin because he simply thinks that he is different from the Nazis.
Keith, Chris, and Auggie are, in their own ways, supporting Nazi ideals by attacking those who are opposing them. Auggie can justify it all he wants but he’s still not a hero. And our universe’s Chris wants so badly to believe that his father can be good that he’s willing to ignore that for a brief moment. I trust that Emilia and Ads would both tell him how Auggie still wasn’t a “good” guy once they’re back home but still.
The twist reveal that Auggie isn’t as bad as Chris’ dad doesn’t do much for the character aside from showing that he is a different kind of coward in the Nazi America universe. I hope that Chris doesn’t try to think he’s anything other than a man who fought to uphold Nazi values, even if he didn’t “believe” the same thing as the Nazis.
(featured image: HBO Max)
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