Creature Commandos Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Chasing Squirrels

If there was ever a more absurd character who could’ve gotten a backstory, it would be Weasel in Creature Commandos. His presence, so far, has been extremely chaotic to the point where you wonder if he’s nothing more than comic relief.

Fortunately, in Creature Commandos Season 1 Episode 4, “Chasing Squirrels”, it’s Weasel’s turn to enter the narrative spotlight. While some were heavily anticipating this episode due to its many teases, some may be put off just by Weasel himself.

However, “Chasing Squirrels” showcases a new sympathetic side to the character we haven’t seen since he first appeared in The Suicide Squad. What results is not just a very sad backstory, but an intriguing continuation of Creature Commandos‘s main idea of breaking the norm.

As with other previous episodes in Creature Commandos, the short runtime of “Chasing Squirrels” almost causes this narrative divide between focusing on the past and present. At this point, the Commandos have pretty much accomplished their task by stopping Circe, thus having no more use.

Though they’re back in Belle Reve, we do get some nice, if bloody, interactions between each of the members to characterize them more. For example, when Nina Mazursky’s trying to get her food, this one buff gorilla tries bullying her into submission. However, the Bride’s able to stand up to him to protect her.

This small moment not only shows how more sympathetic the Bride is becoming, but also how empowering both Nina and the Bride are together. Of course, this is due to the fact that Nina doesn’t necessarily have the urge to get brash, so the Bride is more like Nina’s guardian angel.

In the meanwhile, Rick Flag Sr. is stuck trying to interrogate Circe with Amanda Waller and John Economos, who’s returning from Peacemaker.

The initial build-up is played straight, with a few tidbits of humor trying to understand Circe’s powers and affiliations with Themyscira. However, when Waller decides to get into the cell with Circe, it does feel a bit off character for her.

Although, Waller’s curiosity to understand Circe’s perspective is trying to build on that arrogance she had in Peacemaker. In a way, it’s trying to tell us that we know she’s smart, but she’s too smart for her own good. As such, it leads to a truly revealing “vision” of what the DCU’s future could hold.

Does this entire sequence reveal too much this early on in James Gunn’s DC Universe? For some, it could be given how fast-paced it all is since it literally throws a defeated Justice League in your face.

Yet, Circe’s clairvoyant vision bestowed unto Waller actually captures this episode’s title, “Chasing Squirrels”, well. We don’t know if Circe could be fully trusted and her powers may well be a trick, as Flag Sr. pointed out previously. However, it’s the only lead they have in unraveling the bigger picture.

This thematic titling also continues in Frankenstein’s hunt for Flag Sr., who’s trying to protect Princess Ilana from Waller. In the first few moments of “Chasing Squirrels”, Frankenstein’s been emotionally tugged at the fact the Bride found new love.

Flag Sr. and the Bride’s relationship is purely platonic, but of course, Frankenstein’s too desperate to realize that. The eventual confrontation plays out later on in this messy fight that really just increase the erotic comedy. 

Fortunately, when things come to a calm later on, the conversation between Flag Sr. and Frankenstein does feel like a therapy session. In its own way, through movie references like Titanic, Frankenstein almost feels like a more friendly reflection of Ilana.

Both Ilana and Frankenstein are out for love and that’s what they want from Flag Sr. and the Bride, respectively. However, whereas Ilana and Flag Sr. found it, the Bride still fully rejects Frankenstein even though he’s still persistent.

His feeling are used by Flag Sr. to save Ilana from the Commandos; even though it’s manipulative, it’s the best course of action in the end. Whatever the fallout may be, that’s all on Frankenstein to deal with.

While “Chasing Squirrels” may have its metaphorical meaning, it also has its literal meaning through Weasel’s backstory.

In the present, we know that Weasel is like a canine who’s completely humanoid. He’s not necessarily dumb, but his animalistic instincts are always present. This occurs when his lawyer tries to get some answers into his case, where he’s blamed for murdering twenty-seven children.

Surprisingly, Weasel’s able to remember some things as we’re taken back to his past. Here, it’s discovered that he actually was accepted by some school-children, who took him in as their own. It’s an entirely wholesome moment as they give him food, a moment that almost got him emotional.

This continues later on as Weasel joins in on the fun with the children, venturing throughout the school. However, when an old man finds Weasel, he thinks of him as a monster rather than a friend. Later, in the basement, a series of events causes a little fire, which gets out of control once the old man return.

From here on out, it’s absolutely heartbreaking as the cops and the old man try to stop Weasel. He was generally trying to be friendly and warm to others, but his physicality demanded otherwise. Not only does this fire burn down the school, but it also kills the friends he made, which is captured with devastating shots.

Weasel’s story really enforces how we often reject others for what they are rather than who they are. While the previous backstories in Creature Commandos were more “adult”, “Chasing Squirrels” is able to explore that idea universally. As a result, it makes the story this time feel more compelling.

As a whole, Creature Commandos Season 1 Episode 4, “Chasing Squirrels”, is perhaps the most captivating episode of the show thanks to, surprisingly, Weasel. Much like The Penguin Season 1 Episode 4, “Cent’anni”, its character-centric portions do much of the heavy lifting, which really works to a dime in this episode.

While some may not be fully invested in his character, “Chasing Squirrels” proves that showing more than telling can leave you shocked in exciting ways.

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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