Murn After Reading

I just binged all the episodes and conveniently this episode dropped as soon as I finished ep 5, so I'm really glad I'm caught up on the show now.

This show is really entertaining from the beginning, and this episode is really good just like the other ones, and even better.

First of all, I gotta applaud James Gunn's choice of music, he kills it every time with the perfect music choice for the scenes. I don't know how he even does it.

The plot progresses a lot further in this episode and now we have two major antagonists.

I gotta say, the wk stuff kinda got out of hand this episode and it's especially weird coming from James Gunn. Didn't mind the wk stuff from the previous episodes because they were brief and quick but this one was too on the nose.

I like that James Gunn, at least in DC (and tbf in GOTG2 too), doesn't just find a boring forgettable villain to throw at the "hero". Even though this one is really similar to the Starfish from The Suicide Squad, but it's still an antagonist that you surely will not forget.

I think the twists and turns of this show are great, even though you can see most of them coming from a mile away, it's still nice to have that mystery and intrigue in the plot so the audience is interested to see what happens next.

As for the characters, Peacemaker and Harcourt have a nice heart-to-heart scene together. Vigilante is dumber and goofier as ever. I don't think I really care about Adebayo's wife to be honest, but it's gotta be in there I guess. I like that Sophie's role is getting bigger now and that scene with her in the police station was great, complemented by a great song. Also Christopher Heyerdahl was really great in this episode, it also has a post-credit scene so don't miss it.

Also you can't deny that White Dragon's suit is dope af.

All in all, it's a really good episode. The plot moves forward and we get more information about the Butterflies. The acting is good and the music is really great. My only little problem with the show as a whole is the editing and cinematography, mostly editing. Most fight scenes have quick cuts and the camera is way too close to the action and faces that you can't concentrate and understand what's happening. Other than that, the show is really enjoyable.

Vigilante made me laugh at pretty much every line he had. This episode had everything, can't wait to see the next episodes as the season keeps going uphill.

Everytime I watch a peacemaker episode it makes my Thursday better. The plot twists. Idk where this is heading to (thought I had an idea) but what matters is it keeps on dropping fire episodes every week.

The intro is unskippable.

This is the episode we finally start getting some serious answers. Not to everything, but to enough to start driving the pot along again. The action is fantastic as usual and the cg work in this episode is definitely top notch. Honestly went into the show with a 50/50 mindset but by this point I would call myself a fan.

"Murn After Reading" operates as both a masterful table-setting episode and a character study that deepens the mythology while maintaining the series' signature tonal balance. James Gunn's direction demonstrates remarkable restraint, allowing intimate revelations to carry equal weight with explosive action sequences. The episode's strength lies in its ability to shift the narrative foundation without sacrificing the dark comedic elements that define the show.

Chukwudi Iwuji delivers a powerhouse performance as Murn, navigating complex emotional terrain with nuanced precision. His portrayal balances vulnerability with underlying menace, creating a character whose true nature feels both shocking and inevitable in retrospect. Danielle Brooks continues to excel as Leota, her reactions serving as the audience's emotional anchor during revelations that reshape our understanding of the team dynamic. John Cena maintains his exceptional work, though his screen time feels deliberately reduced to allow other characters their moments to shine.

The cinematography employs intimate framing during confession scenes, contrasting sharply with the expansive shots used for action sequences. This visual language reinforces the episode's central theme of hidden truths coming to light. The production design subtly incorporates alien elements without overwhelming the practical locations, maintaining the show's grounded aesthetic while expanding its cosmic scope.

The writing expertly balances exposition with character development, using revelations to deepen relationships rather than simply advance plot mechanics. Dialogue crackles with Gunn's trademark wit while carrying genuine emotional weight, particularly during confrontation scenes between team members. The pacing builds methodically toward multiple cliffhangers that promise significant consequences.

While the episode functions primarily as setup for the season's final act, it never feels like mere preparation. Each scene serves dual purposes, advancing both plot and character arcs with economic efficiency. The butterfly mythology gains compelling depth through personal stakes rather than abstract concepts, making the alien invasion feel genuinely threatening on an individual level. This penultimate positioning allows the episode to expand the stakes while maintaining intimate character focus, creating anticipation for the finale without sacrificing present-moment engagement.