Creature Commandos Episode 4 Review: Jaw-Dropping Revelations Are Exactly What The DCU Show Needs As It Charges Toward an Exciting Finale

Creature Commandos episode 4, "Chasing Squirrels," adds a lot of tension and intensity to the series halfway through the first season. Of course, the episode continues to deliver James Gunn's trademark sense of humor, but it also does a lot to move the plot forward. Up to this point, the series was fun, but it also felt similar to projects like The Suicide Squad. Following the emotional ending of the last episode, Creature Commandos takes intense and deliberate steps forward.

As in the previous two episodes, Creature Commandos is focusing on one member of the team in each new entry, using their origin story to emphasize their life's events in the present. This episode takes a closer look at how Weasel ended up in prison and significant revelations cause Task Force M to jet off on a very different mission. The utilization of different characters and the individual relationships within the team are also developing in meaningful ways.

The Plot Thickens Thanks To Circe's Visions

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While the series has spent time introducing the core characters, developing a style of humor, and laying the foundations for the plot, episode 4 shakes things up in a big way. The Creature Commandos were being pulled in one direction, but now the story diverges from anything DC has done before. With huge reveals, episode 4 feels like an important turning point.

This progression feels well paced, coming at the midway point of season 1, and helping to increase the drama that will drive the series across the finish line.

However, as the situation unfolds, the team begins to show cracks. These misfits did not form a team by choice, as they were forced to work together and play hero. Now, each character is put in a position where they need to make choices and actively move in a specific direction. With their various motivations and relationships, this creates friction and fragmentation within the team. This progression is well-paced. It comes at the midway point of Creature Commandos season 1 and helps to increase the drama that will drive the series across the finish line.

With the story developing at breakneck speed, the show is now placing more focus on specific characters. As a result, some important figures are less present in the episode, and time wasn't used quite as economically here as in previous episodes. That being said, the focus areas are developed well, and the series continues to stride forward with a renewed sense of urgency.

Blurring The Lines On Past, Present & Future

With the show having the burdensome role of introducing a team of anti-heroes, giving context and origin stories to each, and still pushing a present-day narrative forward, Creature Commandos is a juggling act. The attention is split between the past, present, and even occasionally the future to make as much impact as possible. And for the most part, it manages to do that with flair and humor, but all these opposing elements create a slight tension that needs to be balanced.

With the show having the burdensome role of introducing a team of anti-heroes, giving context and origin stories to each, and still pushing a present-day narrative forward, Creature Commandos is a juggling act.

The monsters in Task Force M are trying to find a place in the world and acceptance when people immediately decide who they are after seeing what they look like. This episode emphasizes that message emphatically thanks to the exploration of Weasel's life before prison, as the creature is incapable of speech, and looks like a human-sized flea-ridden and rabid dog. However, he is fiercely loyal and enjoys forming connections with others.

Related Creature Commandos Episode 3 Review: James Gunn Gives The Tin Man's Story A Heart In Another Brilliant DCU Entry Creature Commandos episode 3 takes the team into new perils while also going back and revealing the history of G.I. Robot from creation to now.

The episode provides a powerful message about judging a book by its cover, and how often the outward appearance can belie something completely different after looking more closely. This message is cleverly played out across both the past and present storyline, and with the stakes of the future being established, Creature Commandos delivers the most tense and engaging moments of the series so far. If the balance was a bit more fine-tuned, the episode would have been even better.

New episodes of Creature Commandos drop weekly on Max every Thursday.