Review: “Twisted Metal”: Season 2, Episodes 8-9: A Challenge and Celebration between Tournament Rounds

Twisted Metal: Season 2, Episodes 8-9: A Challenge and Celebration between Tournament Rounds

Introduction

As vicious and psychotic as many of the Twisted Metal tournament contestants are, they are also humans with complex emotions as well as past demons. In the wake of John and Quiet’s argument, viewers are reminded of this fact as they watch many of the drivers show their more human sides in what are so far some of this season’s most introspective episodes. By the end of Episode 9, it is clear there is more to them than appearances may suggest, and seeing how they fare in the remaining events is even more crucial than before.

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

Episode 8 sets the story in Old Orleans, Louisiana during a flashback. In it, Axel is working at a bakery. What appears as an innocuous, appreciated job turns out to be a cover for his assassination targets as a hired killer. A client gives him an address, which he then barges into so he can collect his payment for another successful assignment. Axel kills all but one individual in the house: a crying baby. Visibly perturbed and contrite, he awakens screaming inside his room in the middle of the night. The plot then shifts back to the present, where the participants are all over the school after John and Quiet’s stentorian vocal stabs at each other as fallout from their heated argument over John’s expedient wish to resurrect his sister. In is in this state of affairs Calypso announces to everyone the Apocalypse 9, a gang of people who are inducted by burning off their nerve endings so they cannot feel pain, have entered the building as a test of the contestants’ ability to cooperate to survive, and that those who fail to work together will perish. Out of necessity, reluctant alliances are formed, and despite their differences most of them last the night, and John and Quiet remedy their relationship.

Episode 9 opens with John and Quiet meeting with Calypso in hope of nullifying John’s wish. Although Calypso is not pleased with John for having broken the rule of one wish per car, he allows them to retain their shared wish of removing all the walls in cities nationwide if they drink water from the wishing well, which they do — but not without Calypso laughing maniacally after they close the door. All the drivers are then treated to the Wintertide Solstice Promenade, a dance in honor of the death of autumn and birth of winter, which is marked by each person smearing their blood on Calypso’s tree. The scenes that follow are reminiscent of classic high school films from the 1980s and 1990s, with an apt She’s All That reference in tow. After the celebration, Calypso exposes everyone to toxic gas, which causes them to wake up in individual vehicles. As Calypso tells them, they will be participating in The After-Party, the second of this tournament’s three events, a free-for-all that contrasts wildly with the teamwork displayed against the Apocalypse 9. This episode then finishes, leaving the final three scheduled to release next week to reveal how this challenge as well as this tournament overall end.

Strengths: Drivers Beyond John and Quiet Made More Human and Interpersonal Relationships Shine

One benefit of John and Quiet’s relationship-induced distance is that the other characters can develop accordingly. After all, this season has introduced an ensemble cast of new characters, so it only makes sense to explore them and their stories. Axel is most evident in this expanded character spotlighting since these two episodes underscore his past. Witnessing his transformation from hardened killer to man-machine with a stoic disposition. There has always been more to this man, and seeing him balk at the request to kill the baby as well as the resulting toll it exacts on him reveals him as a tortured soul seeking some sort of salvation and masking his pain through his comments and actions. Similarly, Mayhem is given more time in the spotlight when she bonds with both John and Quiet, eventually viewing them as friends bordering parental figures. Seeing these characters become more human — and therefore relatable — is a joyful experience.

The relationships certain individuals share bloom, blossom and adjust appropriately throughout these episodes. Starting in Episode 8, with Axel, Vermin, Stu and crew, and continuing in Episode 9, with these relationships as well as others being emphasized, viewers are treated to an increasingly rare display of emotion in this post-apocalyptic world of destruction and devastation. For instance, watching John and Quiet make up and express their genuine love for each other on the dance floor is moving, just as seeing Mike and Stu strengthen their friendship, Axel caring more for Mayhem and Mr. Grimm and Vermin matching surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) well and even Sweet Tooth exclaiming his desire to adopt Stu as his own son are all uniquely beautiful. These bolstered bonds may be put in jeopardy, though, when this season ends next week since they will surely be tested in ways both expected and unforeseen, leading to what will likely be a satisfying conclusion.

Weaknesses: Episode 8’s Filler-Like Content, Questionable Need for John and Quiet’s Argument and Some Lackluster Writing

Where this episode batch’s most glaring drawback exists is in its lack of substantive content compared to previous additions. This reality manifests mostly in Episode 8 by arranging this story in such a way it can feel like filler content. For example, most of it focuses on the characters banding together to defeat the invading Apocalypse 9 gang. This event would likely be more interesting if not for the fact John and Quiet’s distance after their argument over John’s wish from Episode 6 affects virtually everyone. Really, several characters comment on as much, with John and Quiet receiving unsolicited advice from both expected and unexpected parties. Seeing the alliances in action is fun but weighed down somewhat by the burden of the lead characters’ temporary division.

On top of these shortcomings, Episode 8 arguably has some of this show’s most lackluster writing. Specifically, the headquarters doctor informs one of the participants of his virility, namely his inability to bear children. This particular scene is rather arbitrary, seemingly serving no purpose beside a quick laugh, and viewers will likely wonder about its exact purpose. Another instance is when John and Quiet alike complain to their respective groups about their relationship, and their ephemeral allies attempt to help them as they can. The result is silly, somewhat uncomfortable and not exactly necessary, yet it all is present. It seems this episode could have followed a different path, but it instead unfolds in this manner. The end product is not grievous, but Episode 8 could have played out differently. At least John and Quiet rectify that which troubles them, and all is well by this episode’s end — something that is not an issue by comparison in Episode 9, which has one arguably unnecessary comment by Mr. Grimm but not much else. This plot is still pleasurable, fortunately.

Conclusion and Score

Episodes 8 and 9 depict the drivers as humans with real struggles and desires. In a break from the dangers found on the road, they instead get to enjoy time spent with one another in festivity. The participants’ relationships are intriguing, and watching them all play out as the tournament concludes will be exciting. Unfortunately, these two episodes also feature more needless content than the rest of this season so far, including somewhat pointless bickering and a joke about a grown man’s virility — which, somehow, manages to make sense by the end. Still, following this crew’s adventures is still enjoyable, and the tournament’s impending end means watching through this season’s last second is more crucial than ever.

Pros:

Characters beyond John and Quiet, especially Axel, explored and given more personality and substance
Tournament rounds respite emphasizes characters’ relationships
Higher interpersonal stakes complicate the situation, making for an even more anticipated ending

Cons:

Episode 8’s filler role
John and Quiet’s unnecessary fight and actions question some content
Some lackluster writing

Score: 8/10

Standout Quotes

“I didn’t betray anybody.” — John to Vermin
“Looks like these worker ants just became a colony. Girls Night!” — Vermin to Quiet and Raven
“He risked your mission. I guess he thinks saving one person is more important. I can’t say I disagree.” — Raven to Quiet
“Do you know how many times John tried to escape my city to get back to you? 15 times! The dumb*** even cracked his head open falling from a hang glider made of pizza boxes. He’s not a thinker. God, you two are made for each other.
“You did so good, bro. Hey, you slaughtered those 12 steps.” — Dave to Axel
“I don’t know if taking away this guy’s one weakness was the best idea.” — Mike to Stu
“Time to stun all these h**s.” — Axel to himself en route to the Promenade
“Sexy a** suit? Check. Handsome-a** son of a b**** to fill it in? Double check.
“To those who have fallen.” — Calypso to John during Wintertide Solstice blood offering
“C’mon, let’s get your head off that hook and back to prom.” — Stu to a dead Dave

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.