Easter Eggs in Peacock’s “Twisted Metal”: Season 1

Easter Eggs in Peacock’s Twisted Metal: Season 1

As the release of Peacock’s second season of Twisted Metal, the original, streaming-exclusive television series based on the eponymous video game franchise (one of Sony’s longest-running, in fact) that debuted in 2023, draws closer to its 31 July 2025 release date, now is a fitting time to review some of the Easter eggs, or references to the games, scattered throughout this production. Twisted Metal is a beloved gaming behemoth, released initially in 1995 for the PlayStation (PS One), and Peacock honors this truth by including nods ranging from surreptitiously subtle to blatantly unavoidable. In this bizarre, off-kilter show that combines high-octane action with dark humor and levity, virtually anything and everything is game, so start your engines and prepare for a ravishingly fun time!

Spoiler Warning: This post contains series as well as game spoilers arranged by episode, so beware if you have neither watched nor played.

Episode 1: “WLUDRV“

John Doe — John, this series’ protagonist, first appeared in 2001’s Twisted Metal: Black as amnesiac FBI agent with a family who remembers this fact only after receiving his wish, which results in his immediate death. In this show, John is played by Anthony Mackie of Captain America fame, and both his likeness and lack of memory are undeniable. Instead of being a government agent, however, he operates as a milkman, or someone assigned to delivery packages to individuals across the Divided States of America, or post-apocalyptic United States.
Evelyn — Evelyn is John’s chosen vehicle. An orange, weapons-equipped 2002 Subaru WRX, it is unique in that no in-game equivalent exists.
License Plates — Throughout this production, many cars have unique license plates that reveal something about their creation, drivers or both. Moreover, each episode is stylized as such a plate. Similarly, customized plates are common throughout the Twisted Metal franchise.
Cypress Hill’s — While driving at the start of this episode, John listens to “(Rock) Superstar.” Another Cypress Hill song, “Lightning Strikes,” was featured in 1999’s Twisted Metal 4 in the “Road Rage” level.
’90s and ’00s Music — In addition to “(Rock) Superstar,” songs from mostly the 1990s and 2000s permeate this show from start to finish, reflecting this franchise’s growth, evolution and popularity from its original 1995 release onward. Certain tracks are included in this post, and all featured songs can be found in the guide included below, in the References/Further Reading section.
Ridgepoint Centre — Early in this episode, John drives Evelyn, right through this shopping mall from Black‘s “Suburbs” level.
Twisted Metal (1995) — While driving through Ridgepoint, John destroys an EB Games. In doing so, he sees a copy of the original 1995 Twisted Metal PS One game land on his car’s windshield.
Pink Trails — Characters blast numerous missiles at one another throughout this series. The fire missiles leave orange trails and the homing pink, exactly as done in Black.
Shotgun — In the opening scene, John is shown using a sawed-off shotgun. This weapon is a nod to the 2012 reboot, which was the first entry to separate mounted guns from sidearms, letting players customize them before each level.
Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova” — Also early in this episode, John listens to “Champagne Supernova,” a popular song that released in 1996, one year after the original Twisted Metal game.
Three Rivers — John delivers dog food early on to the people of Three Rivers, which is near a national park sign reading, “South Entrance,” a suggestion it fenced itself in the park after the power shut off. There is a real Three Rivers in Tulane County, California, and, like its fictional counterpart, is bordered by national parks.
Calypso — Many graffiti-sprayed signs read, “CALYPSO IS REAL.” Calypso is the primary antagonist in the games who hosts the Twisted Metal tournaments. Participants from all over compete to share their wishes with Calypso, who then grants them, albeit usually with a twist. In this episode as well as most of this series in general, he is referenced by name rather than figure.
Talon — On his way to New San Francisco, John passes a crashed helicopter. From the color scheme, it is likely Talon, an unlockable vehicle introduced in the 2012 reboot.
Gas Mask — At one point, an unnamed character is seek walking out of a gate wearing a gas mask. This facial wear choice may refer to Apocalypse, the idea for a PlayStation 3 (PS3) Twisted Metal game that later became the 2012 reboot.
Raven — Raven leads New San Francisco in this show. She is based on the same character from Black, a teenage girl reputed to possess witchcraft-related powers who competes in the tournament via Shadow, her car, often portrayed as a hearse in the games, to avenge Kelly, her deceased friend who drowned after an altercation with bullies. Raven’s powers are suggested similarly at the end of this series (see below), when she manipulates a voodoo doll like in Black.
Kelly(‘s) — Speaking of Kelly, John meets Raven at a same-named bar.
Magnum Revolver — Upon completing his delivery to New San Francisco, John receives a Magnum Revolver, one of the weapons introduced in the 2012 reboot.
Smiley Face Backpacks — In New San Francisco, several children wear backpacks displaying smiley faces. Club Kid drives the Smiley Face vehicle in 1998’s Twisted Metal 3.
Shadow — Continuing the Raven-related Easter eggs, Shadow is here. Raven does not drive it, though, as this honor is reserved for newcomers Quiet, John’s eventual love interest, and Loud, her brother. This vehicle’s changing ownership is notable as it finds itself driven by characters like Raven and later Preacher and his Holy Men (see below) in the 2012 reboot, albeit with different color schemes.
Tag Team Setup — Quiet and Loud’s combination of one person driving and another blasting weapons out the passenger window is one of many examples of this tag team arrangement, which all characters use heavily during matches in the 2012 reboot.
Agent Stone — Portrayed in this series as an ex-mall cop determined to deliver his warped sense of justice to those he pulls over on the road, Agent Stone is a recurring participant throughout the franchise, driving Outlaw, a police SUV reminiscent of a Land Rover Defender from Black with a roof-mounted turret, its signature attack.
Agent Stone’s Black Similarities — The version of Stone shown on screen more than resembles that from Black. Namely, both men feel regretful for their past mistakes (see below) as well as make regular use of sniper rifles.
Napalm — After capturing Quiet and Loud, Stone threatens to use napalm against them. This weapon was introduced in 1996’s Twisted Metal 2.
Sniper’s Reluctance — Shortly after Stone adds Mike and Stu (see below) to his forces, he has them use sniper rifles to pick off thieves. Stu cannot bring himself to pull the trigger, which references the missed shot Stone lost in Black after receiving his wish to return to the past to prevent the accidental deaths of the mother and daughter he had shot mistakenly.
Chief William Bratton — After capturing Quiet and Loud, Stone references Chief Bratton, real-life former New York City police commissioner.
Agent Shepard — Stone’s sycophantic second-in-command in this show is based on the Shepard from Head-On, a federal agent who hopes to bring Calypso to justice via Crimson Fury.
Carl and Jamie Roberts — Stone’s two police officers in this series are based on the first two Outlaw drivers in Twisted Metal and Twisted Metal 2.
Mapmaker’s Maps — John encounters Mapmaker, an older man who helps him determine his geographic route to New Chicago to complete Raven’s quest. In doing so, John receives a map with a color scheme resembling those from the Green Book travel guide, a book that helped provide safe paths for travelers of color in the mid-20th century by warning them against sundown towns and other dangerous areas.
Invincibility/God Mode Cheat Code — Evelyn stalls on one part of John’s early journey. To jolt her back into operation, he enters L1-R1-up-down-left-right-right-down-up, the same code from Twisted Metal 2 that renders players invincible.
Sweet Tooth — Perhaps the most recognizable character in the entire franchise — if not, the living embodiment of it — is Sweet Tooth. A sadistic man with a dark past consisting of ending his child stardom by murdering his canine co-star on camera, spending time at Blackfield Asylum (see below) and longing for an eternal killing spree, the man known as Marcus or Needles Kane (depending on the game) wears a menacing clown mask that can catch alight at will, drives his iconic ice cream truck and shoots flaming homing missiles at his enemies whenever he wishes. In this show, Sweet Tooth is played by two actors: professional wrestler Nuufolau Joel “Samoa Joe” Seanoa on body and Will Arnett on voice.
Harold — Seated beside Sweet Tooth in his ice cream truck is Harold, his best friend. A literal brown paper bag, Harold hearkens back to the original game, where Sweet Tooth wishes to be reunited with him. Harold’s full name, at least in the game, is Crazy Harold the Wacky Lunch Sack.

Source: Gamereactor

Episode 2: “3RNCRCS“

Blackfield Asylum — A black jacket with this institution’s name is found early in this episode. This building featured prominently in Black, and additional Easter Eggs appear later (see below).
Paper Bag — Just as revealed in the original Twisted Metal, Sweet Tooth is often shown with Harold, his best friend — who happens to be a brown paper bag.
Checkered Suit — During his “performance,” Sweet Tooth wears a checkered suit, the same from Twisted Metal III.
Sisqó — At the casino, Sweet Tooth and John learn they share an interest in Sisqó’s music, as they demonstrate by harmonizing the lyrics.
Mike and Stu — Starting out as Stone’s force trainees, these two characters appear inseparable, just like they are as the Hammerhead’s drivers in Twisted Metal 2.

Episode 3: “NTHLAW1:

Radio Control — In Stone’s flashback, kids are shown playing with radio-controlled (RC) cars. This event references 2001’s Small Brawl, in which all tournament contestants drive RC cars instead of real ones.
Teddy Bear — Via flashback, it is revealed Stone once killed a child by mistake, as represented by a bloodstained teddy bear. This imagery is taken from Black, wherein that version of Stone also ends a child’s life accidentally, albeit in a failed raid attempt against a terrorist.

Episode 4: “WHZDARE”

Darkside/Juggernaut — While on the road, a large truck picks up John and Quiet as part of its caravan. This vehicle is likely either Darkside or Juggernaut, both of which resemble large trucks (the first without a trailer and the second with), are in the 2012 reboot, with Dollface (see below) as the former’s driver.
Miranda Watts — Miranda is the truck caravan’s leader. She first appeared in Twisted Metal 2.
Twister — Shortly after Miranda’s introduction, she shows Twister, an IndyCar-style vehicle, to John and Quiet. Just like in this series, Miranda drives Twister in Twisted Metal 2.
Granny Dread — A founder of the truck caravan that collects John and Quiet in this show, Granny Dread appears in Twisted Metal III as Hammerhead’s driver, hoping to watch TV eternally in peace without fear of her home being destroyed by the challengers who wreck it during each tournament.
Amber Rose — John and Quiet are sent to find Amber, known for growing assorted plants and poisons. She was added to this franchise in Twisted Metal III as an environmental activist who enters the tournament via Flower Power (see below) in hope of stopping the damage it causes Earth.
Flower Power — At Amber’s home, Flower Power, a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle, is shown in the background. It is featured in Twisted Metal III, wherein it is instead a Volvo with similar aesthetics.
Blankman Film — John and Quiet watch this 1994 superhero parody film while hiding from their pursuers in an abandoned movie theater.
Lightning Bolts — The lightning bolts on John’s large, big gulp-style celebratory cup, which he drinks after returning to the trailer, is reminiscent of the lighting bolt power introduced in Twisted Metal 2.

Episode 5: “CRZSRDS”

Trash Man — The old man who confronts John and fiddles with vegetable oil early in this episode, known as Haggard Loner, resembles Trash Man from Twisted Metal 4, the first — and, as of this writing, only tournament contestant to have won without officially entering.
Sweet Tooth Gathers His Gang — After amassing his followers, Sweet Tooth lead them onward to pursue his sadistic dreams. Gangs were introduced in the 2012 reboot, where Sweet Tooth led the Clowns, Mr. Grimm the Skulls (see below), Dollface the Dolls (see below) and Preacher the Holy Men (see below).
A Clockwork Orange Film — In one scene, Sweet Tooth and his gang overtake one of Stone’s outposts while classical music plays in the background. This setup is similar to a famous part in A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick’s landmark 1971 dystopian film.
Thrills and Spills Adventure Park — This location, where Quiet clashes with Stone, is one of the levels in the 2012 reboot.

Episode 6: “DRVTHRU”

Watykins Lightning —In this episode, John mentions the Watykins Lightning that strikes the country consistently. This anomaly is a nod to the 2012 reboot’s Watykins Harbor level as well as the canceled Harbor City, the then-planned Black sequel.
Aliens — At one point, John and Quiet discuss the possibility of aliens existing. While Quiet is reluctant to believe, John is adamant they are real. Their conversation refers to the Recorder Box item, which proves aliens’ exist, Agent Stone and Commander Mason, driver of green U.S. Army vehicle Warthog in 1995, alike seek in the original game.
J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” —During the moment when John and Quiet’s relationship changes inside the Astral Burger fast-food restaurant, “Tipsy” plays in the background. This song released in 2004, one year after 2003’s Black Online and one year before 2005’s Head-On.

Episode 7: “NUTH0UZ”

Charlie Kane and Yellow Jacket —This episode is full of franchise character references, starting with Charlie Kane, Checker Marathon taxi Yellow Jacket’s driver in the original game who is revealed later to be Sweet Tooth’s father. He is mentioned during the opening flashback, when child actor Marcus Kane’s adoptive parents scold him, suggesting he would be back in the taxi if not for them. This all occurs shortly before Kane murders his dog co-star on stage out of rage.
Blackfield Asylum —Sweet Tooth, Stu and company find themselves at Blackfield asylum, where it is revealed Kane had left his parents to die. Any doubt dissolves quickly after, when the killer clown shows Stu their rotted corpses.
*NYSNC —Shortly after sharing his truth with Stu, Sweet Tooth mentions the reason for one of his kills: a disagreement with someone who believed Chris Kirkpatrick was the best *NSYNC member. Kirkpatrick, the individual Sweet Tooth detests, is a member of *NSYNC, a boy band most popular in the 1990s and 2000s who formed in 1995. Sweet Tooth clearly has set his musical priorities!
Calypso (Again) — Although he is not shown, John and Quiet hear Calypso’s voice when they obtain the package Raven seeks from him in New Chicago. Despite his lack of physical presence, his vocal performance is ominous, suggesting trouble ahead.
Bloody Mary — En route back to New San Francisco after collecting Raven’s desired package from Calypso in New Chicago, John and Quiet stop at The Nut House, a pit stop designed specifically for milkmen traveling for work across the country. At this place, which both Mr. Slam owns and is one of only two remaining such stops, numerous characters from the franchise are present. One is Bloody Mary, who is John’s ex-girlfriend in this series. In Black, she is a deranged woman obsessed with marrying the perfect man — yet can never seem to find him, even after her wish is granted. Mary also drives Spectre, a blue/turquoise car based largely on a 1969 Chevrolet Corvette with a Camaro-like front.
Drag Queen — Dennis Flanders, known as Petunia the Drag Queen, is at The Nut House as well. He drives Hot Rodder, a purple funny car with gold stripes, supercharger on its hood and roof-mounted machine guns, in Twisted Metal 4.
Pizza Boy — Also from Twisted Metal 4 and appearing at The Nut House, Conner Nazang, known as Pizza Boy, drives Illegal Street Racer, a blue 1998 Honda (EK) hatchback that appears as a 1990 Honda Civic (EF) hatchback in cutscenes.
Pit Viper — Angela Fortin, known as Pit Viper, appears similarly at The Nut House during John and Quiet’s visit. In the original Twisted Metal, she drives a desert-camouflaged dune buggy that shoots balls of green acid slime.
Mr. Slam — Mr. Slam is The Nut House’s owner. He first appeared in Twisted Metal 2, is known largely as Simon Whittlebone and drives a yellow construction vehicle that, aptly, slams down upon opponents.

Episode 8: “EV3L1N”

Zorko — During part of John’s flashback, he makes his way to vehicle salvage yard Zarko Auto Bros., which is reminiscent of Black‘s “Junkyard” level.
Preacher — Later in this episode, John and Quiet come across Preacher, leader of the Holly Men, a motorcycle gang (see below). He first appeared in Black, having entered the tournament to atone for his perceived sins — which, as he learns painstakingly, are worse than he had believed. Also in Black, he places a curse on Sweet Tooth, which results in the eternally burning hair of fire found atop the clown’s head. Preacher is also present in the 2012 reboot as the leader of the Holy Men gang determined to take down Calypso and end his reign. Although not tied exclusively to him, he is often shown driving Shadow in the 2012 reboot, which resembles a 1960 Edsel Villager and shoots a coffin from the back as its signature attack.
Holy Men — The Holy Men depicted in the series are similar to Preacher’s followers in the 2012 reboot. As with Sweet Tooth’s Clowns, Mr. Grimm’s Skulls and Dollface’s Dolls, the Holy Men are a fact that exists to achieve their goal. The Holy Men are also the only gang to be unlocked after completing the main story.

Episode 9: “R04DK11”

Walter White/Breaking Bad Series — Before robbing Quiet early in this episode, the vulture mentions his wife died due to her addiction to the same illicit drug Walter White produced in Breaking Bad.
Vehicle Attributes — In deciding how to build and customize their new car in the wake of Evelyn’s demise, John and Quiet argued about how best to make it. John mentions the specific attributes of weapons, armor, speed and handling, all of which are the statistics by which all vehicles in the games are measured.
Roadkill — John and Quiet decide to name their new car Roadkill, a red and black junk muscle car and 1988 Camaro IROC Z fitted with machine guns, spikes, hatchets, a rocket launcher and a hood ramp. Roadkill has appeared numerous times in the games, along with different drivers. John, for example, drives Roadkill in Black as well, and its special attack is firing a missiles in succession at opponents. Visually, it resembles its Twisted Metal 2 and 2012 reboot counterparts.
Hair Caught Alight — One of Sweet Tooth’s distinguishing details is his flame hair, which is, quite literally, a bed of fire burning atop his scalp. Whereas his head is almost always burning in the games, it is not until the end of this episode he is shown with as much after Stu does the honor of lighting the match. The result is an even crazier Sweet Tooth from whom viewers cannot turn away.

Episode 10: “SHNGRLA”

Tournament-Style Battle — In true, chaotic Twisted Metal form, the final episode of this season opens with a grand skirmish that pits several competing groups against one another. Viewers see, for instance, John and Quiet in Roadkill, Watts and Amber in, respectively, Twister and Darkside/Juggernaut, Sweet Tooth in his infamous ice cream truck and Stone and his forces in their own vehicles. This particular Easter Egg is pleasing to gamers as well as series fans because it contains the grandiose display of unrelenting action, combat and competition expected.
Sweet Tooth’s Napalm Cone — During the fight, Sweet Tooth fires a flurry of napalm cones at Stone’s forces, harkening back to the first two Twisted Metal games, where this weapon is his signature move.
Sniper Rifle Connection — As John and Quiet enter the arena, Stone fires bullets at them with a sniper rife. This reference is a double entendre as the it harkens back to both Stone’s use of it in Black and it being available as a power-up in the 2012 reboot.
John’s Wish Being Granted… at a Cost — Similar to how tournament participants state their wishes to Calypso, only to see them twisted in dark, ironic ways, John is granted his wish of becoming a citizen of New San Francisco after succeeding in his delivery to Raven. Unfortunately for him, however, Raven does not allow Quiet to join him, and the woman he loves incapacitates him when he attempts to relinquish his new life to instead leave with her because she knows how much he desires a chance at a “normal” existence.
Toaster Strudels — During the montage showing John’s new life in New San Francisco, as part of his routine he spreads frosting on toaster strudels, a frozen pastry brand that debuted in 1985 and increased in popularity in the 1990s.
Pizza Driving Simulator — After John spends some time as a new citizen of New San Francisco, he interacts with a pizza delivery employee. Although not confirmed entirely, it is possibly a nod to the fact Twisted Metal was originally going to to be a pizza delivery simulator before it was scrapped for the vehicular combat and carnage, adrenaline-inducing romp players have come to adore.
Raven’s Voodoo Doll — Once John has spent some time in New San Francisco, Raven is shown sitting with a voodoo doll nearby. It is possible this doll has magical properties, as is the case with the one featured in Black, which Raven uses to punish the bullies who killed Kelly.
John’s Memory Being Restored… then Used Against Him — Toward the end of this episode, Raven informs John he grew up in New San Francisco before the apocalypse. He even sees the exact house his family owned. Immediately after this revelation, though, he is held at gunpoint.
Tournament Reveal — While having her forces hold John at gunpoint after telling him the truth about his childhood, Raven explains the Twisted Metal tournament will soon be held, and that she expects him not only to enter but win it for her — that is, if he hopes remain alive.
Dollface — One of the last Easter eggs in this season is that of Dollface, a woman who wears a terrifyingly white, slightly cracked mask alongside her confident, dogged demeanor. In this show, she is the leader of a gang of similarly dressed followers who claims to be John’s sister. In the games, she is depicted first in Black as a young woman forced to hide her face after making an honest mistake and second in the 2012 reboot as a fashion model repulsed by the facial scar she acquires after a driving incident.
Calypso and Tournament Participants (Season 2 Roster) — Similar to how this final episode starts with a massive Easter Egg, so too does it end. In particular, Calypso is shown putting together a board of individuals competing in the upcoming Twisted Metal contest. Set to be Season 2’s focal point, photographs of several characters from this franchise are placed on a board, including, among others, John, Quiet, Sweet Tooth, Dollface, Mr. Grimm and Axel.
Mr. Grimm — One of the upcoming tournament contestants, Mr. Grimm as a motorcyclist with bone-chilling armor, including a painted skull on his helmet. He, along with Sweet Tooth and Calypso, has appeared in each game to date, and his character has changed over the course of this franchise’s history. Mr. Grimm has, for example, been depicted as everything from a supernatural being to a human attempting to prevent his motorcycle stuntman father’s devastating death. The extent to which certain pieces of his history will be evident in the second season is uncertain as of now, but speculation, like with other contestants, remains strong. Trailers have suggested at least some supernatural abilities, though.
Axel — As with Mr. Grimm and the others, Axel is set to compete in the forthcoming tournament. A franchise standout since his Twisted Metal 2 debut, he overturns the entire idea of what a “vehicle” is by being the vehicle itself. Namely, he drives himself as body caught between two giant wheels with the ability to fire various weapons and send out a shockwave as his special attack in many entries. In Season 2, Axel looks to change somewhat from his usual story in that he can insert into and remove from his two wheels his arms at will. Lauded frequently, he is sure to please longtime fans as well as franchise newcomers.
Mid-Credits Scene — Approximately halfway through the credits, Sweet Tooth is shown both killing Mike and dragging away Stu to serve him in the second season. Before the two friends meet their fates, they are sitting with women mannequins reminiscent of their collective wish in Twisted Metal 2 to fly so as to look at women indelicately from the sky. Unlike their wish being granted without real repercussion, a somewhat surprising ending, in the game, both men do not have much time for enjoyment in this series.

Conclusion

Anticipation for Twisted Metal‘s second season is high. After all, this production is replete with action, comedy, an outlandish rogues gallery and pulse-pounding plot that gets viewers hearts racing almost as fast as the milkmen who zoom across the country for their deliveries. With only a few days until Season 2 premieres, it is enthralling to relive the events of the first 10 episodes as well as appreciate the source material on which they are based. Given the increased stakes, larger roster and clear faith to the franchise, this series is set to fly beyond the clouds it has reached (and that of Mike and Stu’s comparatively myopic range), potentially making it to outer space and surpassing even the cosmic distance where Carl Roberts once found himself.

Season 2 of Twisted Metal releases 31 July 2025.

Source: Gamereactor

References/Further Reading

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this post 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.