Doom Patrol Review: Amends Patrol (Season 3 Episode 10)
Doom Patrol’s season finale, Doom Patrol Season 3 Episode 10, “Amends Patrol,” ends Season 3 on an optimistic note as the team steps up and decides to be heroes.
There are two frames to assess “Amends Patrol” through that lead to very different conclusions about its success. Narratively, “Amends Patrol” is a bit underwhelming and doesn’t answer very many of the questions it’s been asking all season.
The second of those issues is less of a problem than the first because we know Doom Patrol will be back for a fourth season, and the story will continue.
It’s not uncommon or even a bad thing for a series to end a season without tying up every loose end. It’s usually a good way to provide continuity between seasons. “Amends Patrol,” though, leaves a lot of threads unanswered. It makes the episode feel more like a midseason break than a season finale.
Whether that’s a problem for viewers or not depends on what they want from a finale episode. If we look at the finale more as the end of a chapter, leaving so many unanswered questions isn’t a big deal. If a viewer is looking for something that feels more complete, the lack of closure on so many things will irk them.
The bigger narrative issue with “Amends Patrol” is that after a season building up these stories, particularly that of the Sisterhood of Dada, their conclusions are anti-climactic.
For example, the Sisterhood unleashes the External Flagellation. We’re told it’s something the entire world experiences. Yet, we never see that level of drama play out.
As interesting as the Doom Patrol’s group therapy session is on Doom Patrol Season 3 Episode 8, “Subconscious Patrol,” that alone is not enough to do justice to the scope and the stakes the buildup to the Flagellation promised.
We don’t even see most of the Sisterhood members again after Doom Patrol Season 3 Episode 7, “Bird Patrol.” The whole Sisterhood of Dada storyline just kind of fades away.
Perhaps there is more Sisterhood of Dada story to tell in Season 4, and when we look back at the series as a whole, the stakes will be worthy of the buildup. Right now, though, — as with several other plot points — the scale of the conclusion is out of line with the scale of the introduction.
That rather significant criticism notwithstanding, there is another important frame through which to assess the episode and through which “Amends Patrol” is much more successful.
That frame is simply whether the experience of watching the episode is enjoyable and satisfying. The answer to that question is generally yes. Not getting conclusions to certain storylines is disappointing, but overall the episode is way too much fun to be too upset about it.
Even with its narrative flaws, “Amends Patrol” is still immensely entertaining.
Cliff’s journey across the states in his new giant robot body is delightful, and his conversation with his daughter is endearing and sweet. We never do find out if he has Parkinson’s or what is causing his hand to shake, but the emotional beat with Clara is perfect.
Even Larry — who’s story has fallen flat all season — finally choosing for himself to merge with the new spirit gives him the character development he’s needed all season.
The most satisfying thing about the episode and what ultimately makes it successful is how it ends. That image of a giant Rita stopping Cliff is one of my favorites of the season.
Whatever I was hoping for that I didn’t get from the finale, that final sequence of the newly energized team with their names taped to their foreheads is exactly the right balance of heart and silly that makes Doom Patrol so easy to fall in love with.
This is a series that always knows what it is at its core. Even when it misses the mark on some things, it always gets the fundamental right, and “Amends Patrol” is the perfect example of that.
“Amends Patrol” also sets up a lot to look forward to in Season 4. Most exciting of all is that Michelle Gomez — as Madame Rouge — will be back. Not only will she be back but she will be back with a potentially great storyline as she tries to be a better person.
I hope that next season we get to dive into Laura’s past a bit more and see how she went from fully embracing the Sisterhood of Dada to the Brotherhood of Evil’s newest recruit. I want to see what happened between 1917 and 1949.
In addition to spending more time getting to know Laura, the new dynamic between her and Rita promises to be especially juicy. There is a ton still left to explore in The Underground, particularly with Jane giving up her spot as primary.
Plus, we’ve only just started to see how Vic will adapt to not having powers (although the smart money is on him getting his tech back next season).
The most significant change “Amends Patrol” signals for Season 4 is the new attitude of the characters. It changes them from a random collection of weirdos reluctantly pulled into these adventures to a team fully embracing their roles as heroes.
That is a considerable shift in the show’s foundation. Depending on where things go next season, Season 3 may turn out to be a transition season. It may move the series from the Caulder period to the Madame Rouge period and start to explore new themes as these characters continue to evolve.
“Amends Patrol” is far from Doom Patrol’s best episode. There are missed opportunities and underserved stories. But, much like the entire season, despite its shortcomings, it’s another satisfying outing.
It gets the important parts right and leaves you excited to see what’s next for this group of underdogs and oddballs.
What did you think of this episode of Doom Patrol? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Doom Patrol Season 3 is available on HBOMax
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.