Creature Commandos Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Cheers to the Tin Man

Whereas the first episodes of Creature Commandos served as an introduction, Season 1 Episode 3 “Cheers to the Tin Man” fully begins to explore its main characters. Through the perspective of G. I. Robot, we’re both given a better understanding of his systematic nature and what humanity he has left.

Season 1 Episode 2 “The Tourmaline Necklace” followed a similar pattern by focusing on the Bride’s origin story. Although, in that episode, its raunchiness made it somewhat off-putting. Fortunately, G. I. Robot’s origin story has more nuance even though it may be less emotionally impactful.

This begins as we’re thrown into a flashback that’s already action-packed as the Easy Company are faced with an ambush.

From the beginning, the members of Easy Company assume that G. I. Robot is incapable of actually functioning with this being his first real “test”. Of course, we’ve seen what he could potentially do in the past, yet there’s still doubt he’s an actual danger.

However, when he gets to show his abilities, it really goes to show how he can defy expectations. Though his systematic programming makes him impermeable to full consciousness, he’s got human undertones that make him stand out.

The ambush itself is all bloody and brutal as always, a signature of Gunn’s TV-MA tone. However, this found family bonding afterward brings a cool lightheartedness.

Though there seemed to be a bit of this with G. I. Robot’s interactions with Nina Mazursky previously, it really begins to show here. In a way, this introduction happily brings out the emotion of what G. I. Robot can have.

Although, the question about whether G. I. Robot can become fully human still lingers. It’s heavily prevalent in this episode as the Commandos save the Bride and Nina later on, where we get more of machine and monster. The conversation they share has this honesty to it that makes it sweet as G. I. Robot decides to bring the entire bathtub back. 

Moreover on G. I. Robot’s backstory, following World War II, he seems to be more robotic. In a way, though, he retains this odd charm in his character as he tries identifying potential Nazis in the talk show crowd. G. I. Robot’s system still holds his main prerogative, but his innate consciousness for family still shows.

He wants to be with his found family in the East Company because he found his place in the world. Together, not only were they doing the thing he loved, but they accepted G. I. Robot for who he is rather than what. When he explains this to Will Magnus, the creator of the Metal Men, it simply gets dismissed.

Unlike Sergeant Rock and the East Company, who loved G. I. Robot, Magnus sees him as being nothing but material to be used. Though this seems to be a trope with robotic and android-like characters, there’s this curiosity in his tone that adds a bit of wholesomeness.

Sure, you might not feel as bad if he didn’t look like an actual robot, but there’s this hint of awareness that he has. As such, it makes him a character that has more to offer. This really shows in the final flashback.

Years later, G. I. Robot finds himself with a new owner who is unassumingly sympathetic for what he’s been through. The signs point to this, with a bunch of cats and the new owner’s friendly demeanor. Yet, he gives off this strange feeling that he isn’t showing the full picture.

Of course, this is made the case when G. I. Robot is brought to a nationalist gathering that’s actually riddled with Nazi sympathizers. “Cheers to the Tin Man” almost plays up the reveal jokingly, yet somehow retains that seriousness.

It almost naturally blends back into reality, where the Commandos are fighting Circe’s group and Flag Sr. takes advantage of G. I. Robot’s programming. This all collides after Circe decided to take advantage of the Commandos by striking Ilana when she was left open to attack.

The gradual build-up to this confrontation between the Commandos and Circe is mostly action-based. However, there’s not that many real interactions in “Cheers to the Tin Man” between them outside of G. I. Robot and Nina. As such, it may feel like a trod to get through as most of the runtime is placed on examining G. I. Robot’s past.

Nonetheless, when it does culminate in that final confrontation between the Commandos and Circe, it feels mostly earned for G. I. Robot. Weasel and Doctor Phosphorous are able to get their kicks in, but in the process, it’s also trying to say something more.

There’s no changing who these monsters are because the world has made them so. G. I. Robot and Nina are, or were, the last signs of optimism that the Commandos can become better than who they are. Sadly, it might not look like that in the end. 

Overall, Creature Commandos Season 1 Episode 3’s brief, yet curious, examination of recognizing morality and humanity through G. I. Robot’s perspective provides a good watch. Though the moments in the present are pure spectacle, the character-focused narratives are proving to be the show’s highest points.

What did you think of this episode of Creature Commandos? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New episodes of Creature Commandos release Thursdays on Max.

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