Review: “Twisted Metal”: Season 2, Episodes 6-7: Death and a Poor Decision Wreak Havoc as Tensions Grow

Twisted Metal: Season 2, Episodes 6-7: A Poor Decision Wreaks Havoc as Tensions Grow

Introduction

With the Twisted Metal tournament officially underway, there is more action, explosions and battles than ever before in this series. While this increase in visual fare is spectacular, a choice John makes approximately halfway between Episodes 6 and 7 causes certain situations that could have been avoided. It does not detract majorly, but it is apparent enough to warrant examination. Despite John’s questionable decision, however, these two episodes prove the drivers still have a long way to go before all the madness ends.

Story Overview: More Action, Explosions and Battles… and Psychological Baggage

Episode 6 begins with a flashback to the first season. Set at some point between John’s departure from New San Francisco after having accepted Downtown Raven’s delivery job and him meeting Quiet, viewers see John meet Calypso for the first time — although he does not realize the man there is the individual responsible for what will come. They discuss wishes, with John expressing his desire for a new life and home and Calypso to be known all over, and Calypso leaves him to contemplate his deepest thoughts alongside the beer he conjures supernaturally. The action then returns to the qualifying round where Episode 5 ended, revealing both John and Quiet succeed in assisting Mayhem escape from Chuckie Floop and certain characters, including Billy, Dollface and the armored men, perished en route to the finish line. Indeed, Krista sacrifices herself so John and Quiet can have a chance to win the tournament as well as better society. The rest of this episode sees the participants assigned their rooms at Jaffe Williams high school, the headquarters and garage between events, further their interpersonal hostilities and share their wishes with Calypso individually — but not before Calypso reveals removes all doubt as to his supernatural powers during his conversation with Raven, in which he mentions his displeasure at her not following their agreement to enter John in her name. In doing so, Quiet wishes for all the walls to be removed across society, and John, unbeknownst to Quiet, wishes for his sister to come back to life so he can spend more time with the only genetically related family he has ever known.

Episode 7 features the first main tournament event: The drivers must collect packages and cross the finish line. There are more people than packages, though, so whoever does not obtain one will perish. Normally, such an arrangement would pose no threat to drivers of John and Quiet’s caliber. Unfortunately for them, however, John’s resulting guilt from having wished for Dollface to return from the dead complicates matters. The first ability-related sign appears when John attempts to drive Roadkill to gain distance from the other drivers during the one-minute head start Calypso gives him and Quiet as he suffers PTSD when Quiet places Dollface’s mask by the shifter, causing him to pull over and switch places with her. Later, he fails to obtain a package despite two attempts. John and Quiet manage to secure a package and cross the finish line, but only by including Baby Preacher in their victory, whom they then give to Calypso per his offer. That evening, Quiet tells John they cannot have days like what they had just experienced, which leads him to reveal he has been lying to Quiet about his wish. This episode then finishes, leaving viewers to wonder what will become of John due to his poor decision as this show progresses.

Strengths: Contestants’ Character Development and Appreciated Surprises

Whereas this season’s first three episodes emphasized exposition and John, Quiet and Dollface’s relationship, and Episodes 4 and 5 focused on the lead-up to the tournament, Episodes 6 and 7 underscore the struggles and setbacks many drivers face both physically and personally as the tournament ramps up. Consequently, anger, resentment and guilt fuel these two episodes. John, for example, wrestles with his guilt for having wished to bring Krista back to life without Quiet knowing, and his driving and shooting skills suffer for it. In acting expediently, he has wrought upon himself lackluster abilities, and Quiet goes down with him. Similarly, the discord between Sweet Tooth and Stu continues to grow, resulting in the weaknesses inherent in their partnership showing glaringly, and Mayhem comes into her own after her first kill. Calypso is also spotlighted here, proving him to be a capable leader unafraid to use psychology as well supernatural powers to defend himself against anyone who dares challenge his authority. Through these vignettes, viewers learn more about the characters central to this production.

Along with this character development is a number of appreciated surprises, largely for franchise fans but also anyone who enjoys the unique humor employed here. For instance, when John and Quiet encounter the Sweet Tooth and Baby Preacher groups as well as Raven inside the hockey arena in their attempt to take the first package they find, each group leader says their catchphrase, much like game characters did in the 1990s and 2000s. During this same event, one member from each group performs a signature attack, including what is one of this series’ most memorable moments: Deacon launches Baby Preacher at Stu, replete with a loaded gun, which he then fires, causing Stu to exclaim, “The baby’s got a gun!” Another standout surprise is when Mayhem steals Chuckie’s car after killing him as this self-driving vehicle turns out to be Quatro, a fitting nod to the alien police officer out for Sweet Tooth, Calypso, Mr. Grimm and Rob Zombie in Twisted Metal 4. Quatro becomes Mayhem’s simultaneous ally and support system, and its inclusion here is incredible. By Episode 7’s end, viewers are exposed to a mountain of franchise favorites that only enhance this show’s plot.

Weaknesses: Dollface’s Death and John’s Poor Decision Sour the Story

Dollface’s (supposed) death is one of this production’s biggest surprises. Happening early in Episode 6, she does not even get to live halfway through this season before meeting her end. Moreover, her passing hurts all her followers, most visibly John since he knew her only briefly. Their ephemeral bond absolutely wrecks him to the point where he is unable to perform his vehicular duties successfully. Killing off Krista at this point in the plot is questionable because of her rather central role. Now, what will happen to the Dolls? How, if at all, will this occurrence affect Axel? Her death only adds mystery to this series.

John’s response to his sister’s death is what really upsets this story. While he could have accepted and used it as a source of strength from which to draw when necessary, he instead wishes for her to come back to life behind Quiet’s back. Granted, his intentions are pure, but sadly his choice only creates questions. Why, for example, would he do so knowing Quiet’s wish is what Krista would have wanted? Why would he act this way and put himself at risk of damaging his relationship with Quiet? What does his action mean for the tournament at large? These queries as well as several others portray John as a selfish man who make a poor choice during a moment of weakness. In many ways, his decision is fitting due to the opening flashback that sees him speaking with Calypso, suggesting these two individuals may be more alike than thought previously. Quiet’s reaction when John tells her the truth at the end of Episode 7 does not help this matter, and viewers will likely wonder whether a return to the aloof connection they shared in the previous season can be expected. Of course, creative decisions like this one are made constantly, and these protagonists are sure to see an appropriate series of events to follow. It is just that this happening is particularly problematic for John and Quiet since their relationship, should at least one of them win the tournament, will largely determine how it ends.

Conclusion and Score

Episodes 6 and 7 throw the drivers into the fires of the Twisted Metal tournament. In addition to the vehicular violence, emotional and psychological stress strains many of the characters’ relationships, especially John and Quiet’s. As enjoyable as it is to see character development beyond teams Qohn (Quiet and John) and Sweet Tooth, Dollface’s death and John’s response to it manifest in ways that detract slightly from this plot. John’s actions are understandable given dire circumstances, however, and in many ways adds to the intrigue after proper consideration. Ultimately, viewers will find much to enjoy throughout these two episodes.

Pros:

Expanded character development enhances this story
Appreciated surprises, including catchphrases, attacks and appearances, are welcome

Con:

Dollface’s death and John’s response detract somewhat from this plot

Score: 8/10

Standout Quotes

“You gonna get your answer when I smoke your rusty a**.” — John to Axel
“You make a run at me[, and] I will end you. Coroner gonna list your cause of death as everything.” — Axel to John
“Damn, there are some b***holes in here.” — Raven to Frostbite and others within range
“Now, you see the s*** I gotta put up with. This freak got me smelling like RAID cologne.” — Axel about Vermin to group
“It’s not naïve to fight for a better world.” — Quiet to Raven and group about her wish
“Fly, my little penguin.” — Sweet Tooth to Stu
“The baby’s got a gun!” — Stu to Sweet Tooth
“God, murder makes you extra sweaty!” — Mayhem to Quattro
“That’s not in the spirit of competition. I’m gonna file a complaint.” — Sweet Tooth to Stu about Mr. Grimm crossing the finish line physically inside the back of his ice cream truck
“Grudges are back on the menu. So are blood feuds and vendettas. And when it comes to killing, I just gotta lead with my heart. — Sweet Tooth to Stu
“Is there a lost and found for human children?” — Quiet to John about Preacher

Series Information

Title: Twisted Metal
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Joe Seanoa, Will Arnett, Anthony Carrigan
Directors: Various
Studios: PlayStation Productions, Sony Pictures Television, Universal Television
Network/Platform: Peacock (NBC)
Release Date: 31 July 2025
Series: Twisted Metal

References/Further Reading

To learn more about the Twisted Metal series as well as this franchise at large, please visit the following links:

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this review as well as throughout this blog belong solely to Lord Trichechus Rosmarus of Premier Polygon Productions. Consequently, they represent the perspectives only of these entities and in no way aim to disparage the artists’ works cited.