Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 4 Review: Casey Patrol
Old friends take center stage on Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 4, “Casey Patrol.”
After leaving viewers on a bit of a cliffhanger on Doom Patrol Season 4 Episode 3, “Nostalgia Patrol,” it’s a little surprising that “Casey Patrol” doesn’t pick up with the still unconscious Rita or the team’s efforts to wake her.
Instead, the episode follows Dorothy, Danny (formally the street, currently the ambulance), and their community of drag queens and other non-conformists as they battle a villain out of Dorothy’s favorite comic book.
They get some help from the hero of said comic book, who will hopefully have the chance to become a fan favorite like Danny.
Usually, a choice like that with a big cliffhanger looming would be frustrating. The choice admittedly confused me at first.
But it’s hard to be mad about a detour when it’s to check in with Danny and their flourishing community or when the detour is as good as “Casey Patrol.”
An episode with Danny is always delightful. It’s hard to explain to those who haven’t seen the show, but most Doom Patrol fans will tell you that one of the series’ best characters is a genderqueer sentient street, turned brick, turned ambulance.
It’s always a treat when Danny makes an appearance, but their appearance this year is even more special. The rise in anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric and harassment of drag events makes seeing this wholesome, nurturing community led primarily by drag queens feel especially uplifting and important.
Seeing this vibrant and positive queer community thriving on screen is a much-needed burst of joy and empowerment during a scary time for many queer folks.
Alan Mingo Jr.’s Maura is the undeniable standout of the episode.
I would one hundred percent watch a spinoff that followed the adventures of Maura and the rest of Danny’s community as they travel the world, creating safe, affirming spaces for queer people and bringing their unique brand of light and magic to those that need it most.
It’s not just catching up with Danny and their people that makes “Casey Patrol” so good, though. The story about Dorothy’s comic-book characters coming to life is a lot of fun.
Casey is a delightful addition to the Doom Patrol world. Frankly, a team-up series with Casey and Dorothy is another spinoff I would absolutely watch. I’m excited to see Dorothy reunite with the team and for them to meet Casey. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Casey and Jane meet. Talk about oil and water.
“Casey Patrol” is also a poignant hour for Dorothy, who comes into her own on this episode.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t a fan of Dorothy when she was first introduced. That sweet Pollyanna persona grated my nerves for a long time.
I much prefer the more mature teen version we get on “Casey Patrol.” This is a version of the character I am happily invested in (even if I did kind of want to shake her when she gave Maura that sullen teenage attitude).
Abi Monterey deserves a lot of credit for elevating Dorothy the way she has over the last few seasons. She does a fantastic job on “Casey Patrol,” expressing all of Dorothy’s ennui and making her complicated feeling about her dad relatable and universal.
Monterey’s performance and affecting script about grief make “Casey Patrol” one of the series’ most emotional and memorable.
The climactic scene where Dorothy finally lets everything out is a masterful bit of writing and acting. It’s a credit to everyone working on Doom Patrol that they can make us feel so deeply about characters we only see on a handful of episodes.
When folks talk about Doom Patrol, much of the focus is on its weird factor. That is the show’s brand and what makes it the sublime irreverent experience it is. “Casey Patrol,” however, reminds us that the series also tells grounded, character-driven stories that explore big themes and ideas.
From the fun and the silly to the heartfelt and moving, “Casey Patrol” is Doom Patrol at its best.
What did you think of this episode of Doom Patrol? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of Doom Patrol stream Thursdays on HBO Max.
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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.