Peacemaker pushes into its heaviest territory yet with a penultimate hour that puts conscience ahead of spectacle. Episode 7 is tense and surprisingly quiet, and that restraint gives the big swings real impact. It deepens the Earth-X twist, sharpens the team’s fractures, and ends on a choice that could define Chris Smith going into the finale.
Quick take
This is the season’s most focused chapter. The action is purposeful, the jokes are sparing, and the character work finally takes the wheel. A major death lands, an unexpected alliance pays off, and the ending sets clear stakes for next week.
What happens (spoilers)
On Earth-X, Chris and Harcourt are running out of cover and patience. Adebayo becomes a target and survives with Judomaster’s help, a pairing that turns out to be one of the episode’s smartest moves. The bigger shock arrives with Auggie’s fate, which hits Chris like a body blow and strips away the episode’s remaining sarcasm. The final stretch leaves Chris boxed in and accepting the consequences of the mess he helped create.
Why it works
Consequences over chaos. The show has always mixed ultraviolence with punchlines. Here, the camera lingers on what violence costs. Chris’s grief feels raw. Harcourt’s steadiness anchors scenes that could have turned glib. Adebayo’s close call forces her to shift from reactive to proactive.
Earth-X isn’t just a twist. Using a fascist mirror world as the backdrop raises the moral pressure on every decision. Wins feel tainted by the place they happen. Familiar faces show up as tools of the regime, which turns the season into a test of identity more than muscle.
Character first. Any larger DCU connective tissue stays in the margins. The hour’s best beats come from the 11th Street Kids choosing who they are under pressure, not from surprise cameos.
Where it stumbles
Some connective scenes feel mechanical. A mid-episode run-and-regroup stretch moves pieces into place more than it grows naturally from character choices. You can feel the finale setup gears turning.
Earth-X could use more texture. Beyond headquarters and alleys, we still don’t see much of daily life in this world. The concept is strong; one more lived-in scene would have helped sell the stakes.
Performances and craft
John Cena leans on silence and lets the grief sit. It works. Jennifer Holland keeps Harcourt grounded and sharp without undercutting the tension. Danielle Brooks gives Adebayo a clear turn toward leadership. Direction favors longer holds and fewer needle-drops, which helps the drama breathe and keeps the tone steady.
Ending and setup
The closing choice leaves Chris facing real accountability and a path that will cost him either way. With one episode left, the table is set for a decision about who he is, not just how many bad guys he can put down.
Score: 8/10. A grim, deliberate penultimate chapter that earns its heaviest moments and points the finale in the right direction.
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