I was unfamiliar with the Doom Patrol supergroup from the D.C. comics, so when I first began watching I had no idea what to expect. What I was greeted with was one of the most irreverent, over-the-top series that somehow still managed to have its heart on its sleeve. At the beginning the Doom Patrol consists of Rita Farr, whose body was accidentally exposed to toxins thus morphing her into a rubbery state with the pros being she can now shift and stretch her body. Alongside her there’s Larry Trainor, a former USAF pilot who after a crash has to be covered to prevent radioactivity now leaking forth from his body. Trainor also has a mysterious entity living inside of him. Then there’s Cyborg, aka Vic Stone, the youngest of the group and perhaps the most well known character as he’s featured in Teen Titans (the comics and show) and the actor Jolvan Wade portrayed the character in the series Titans. There’s also Crazy Jane, aka Kay, who has a world of identities living inside of her. Lastly there’s Brendan Fraser, at the start of his Brenaissance, who voices the character Cliff Steele, who after a tragic crash was put into a robot body by the head of the household Niles Caulder aka The Chief, played by Timothy Dalton, who watches over the members of the Doom Patrol as their doctor and caretaker.

Together they are often thrust, against their will, into situations where they may or may not be the heroes of the day. (Even they aren’t sure most times.) What this allows for though is a contemplation on what it’s like to be human, as many of them no longer are, as well as a hero, which most of the times they don’t believe themselves to be. In later seasons, this often means there’s episodes that feel more like therapy sessions than action sequences; however, this all works together to really ingratiate you with the characters. Likewise their lack of perfection makes them ultimately more relatable than a Superman or a Batman, even though perhaps most days you’d rather not be akin to the Doom Patrol.

Brendan Fraser as Cliff in Doom Patron, Season 4 (Source: Warner Bros. Discovery)

I mentioned irreverent because this show is that and more. From a dance sequence to the Music Man’s “Shipoopi” performed by butts, to the Beard Hunter, a character who consumes people’s hair to track them, there’s no shortage of wacky out-there moments and characters. Umbrella Academy is my closest comparison to this show (though the comic predates its comic), but even as crazy as Umbrella Academy can be it doesn’t match the Doom Patrol’s zaniness.

Doom Patrol somehow even with these wacky set pieces brings some of the greatest heart to the DC live-action world. Side characters such as ‘Danny the Street’ present an opportunity to do what comics do best, tackle real world issues in ways silly, serious, and heartfelt. Likewise the character’s own introspection, especially no what they’ve lost and gained with their abilities, brings some incredible emotional beats to the story, even if perhaps some are retread upon a bit too often.

Doom Patrol wrapped up the fourth and final season this year with perhaps both its most heartfelt, and irreverent episode, but it was a near perfect finale for a delightfully imperfect set of characters. Though this show may not be for everyone – you’ll know quite quickly I imagine if it is – for those who love it, its a wonderfully quirky oasis in a world of comic book heroes that are becoming too cookie cutter when all the while Doom Patrol is anything butt.

Doom Patrol Season 4 Final Episodes (Source: MAX)