Creature Commandos Episode 5 Review: Frankenstein's Dark Past Takes The DCU Show Down Its Most Twisted Path Yet

Creature Commandos has already proven itself as an adult animated show, but episode 5 makes things so much darker. Following the usual template of introducing a new leading character in each episode, "The Iron Pot" follows Frankenstein's journey from his initial rejection by The Bride to his current adventures with Rick Flagg Sr. The episode is dark and includes some major reveals. While it's an all-around solid entry in the series, it's certainly not the best so far.

Frankenstein and Rick Flagg Sr. are currently allied in an effort to find out if Circe's vision can be trusted. Meanwhile, the rest of Task Force M, led by The Bride, touch down in Pokolistan ready to complete their new assignment. As the story pushes forward to the present day, Frankenstein's origins are revealed and the character appears more brutal and broken than ever.

Frankenstein Is An Absolute Monster

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David Harbour voices the Frankenstein monster in Creature Commandos, and while the character is a wonderful addition and one that offers a lot of comic relief, this episode shows a darker side to the character. However, that also comes with more ignorance, as the monster appears to feel completely justified and righteous in his efforts. Despite this, he becomes less funny and more deceptively wicked as he continues to appear onscreen.

The best parts of the episode came in the developments uncovered by Rick and Frankenstein.

Episode 5 also sees the rest of the team rushing in to complete their mission and it provides some incredible scenes with intense action and a particularly strong showing from Doctor Phosphorous, whose lack of an appearance in the previous episode was disappointing. However, the best parts of the episode came in the developments uncovered by Rick and Frankenstein.

However, this episode also feels like one that does the least to push forward the series' action and story so far. While James Gunn has managed to masterfully use the 20 or so minutes in each episode to deliver multiple storylines and give characters shining moments, this episode moves the needle very little. Almost everything that happens was set in motion in episode 4, and by the end of the fifth only one significant new element was introduced.

The Moral Lines Keep Getting Blurrier In Creature Commandos

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Everyone on the show is operating with their own intentions, but the intriguing part of the story is seeing how these goals overlap and what the alleged monsters do. While The Bride, Phosphorous, Weasel and Nina Mazursky may appear very different physically, these prisoners have been pushed into someone else's war. Meanwhile, the intentions of other characters appear more vague and mysterious.

Each character is simply becoming more and more defined by their actions, or inactions, rather than who is right and who is wrong.

Princess Ilana, Circe, and others all have personal motives that have yet to be fully explored, but it does make it challenging to judge who is right and who is wrong. However, with the story being literally about monsters being judged as such simply because of their appearance, it makes sense that Gunn would blur the line and engage with this dynamic playfully. As a result, each character is simply becoming more and more defined by their actions, or inactions, rather than who is right and wrong.

But there is no doubt there are monsters in the show. As Creature Commandos episode 5 dives to the depths of certain characters' motives, and highlights their most terrifying hidden secrets, the show rushes towards the finale. With just two episodes left, there is a lot still to be resolved, and very little time to do it, but as long as Gunn can get back on track and make efficient use of the episodes' timing, Creature Commandos season 1 should end on a high.

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