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Speculation regarding the major season 2 twist in Peacemaker were circulating online since the premiere. Audiences quickly suspected that the other reality that Christopher Smith landed couldn't be as perfect as it appeared. Many predicted it would be an alternate Earth, a nightmarish DC Comics reality where the Nazis won World War II leading to the United States becoming a white-supremacist dictatorship.

The Big Twist Is Revealed

Exactly what unfolded. Once the main incarnation of Harcourt crossed over to this alternate world during the sixth episode, she right away noticed all the clues Chris overlooked—including the striking lack of people of color and an actual painting of the Nazi leader adorning ARGUS base. This kind of narrative is not revolutionary: Parallel worlds where Nazi forces took over the world are a common genre staple. This includes major series like The Man in the High Castle explored this idea. But, due to the current timeline, Peacemaker still succeeded in spark a controversy in some corners online.

The backlash are absurd. There's a reason Nazi villains are one of the most popular villains in media for decades: They symbolize absolute wickedness.

Why Nazis?

Nazi Germany of the 1930s and '40s existed as dictatorial, brutal, and deadly. They killed countless of innocent people and blamed a fabricated enemy from within in order to build and maintain their power. It's terrifying to picture a reality where they were victorious in World War II, explaining why they've been a clear villain archetype in movies and TV for decades. They are among the rare villains that everyone can agree are unforgivable, giving action stars and superheroes free rein to do their worst.

The Core Problem

Assuming everyone can continue to agree that Nazis from history were evil—which it's hoped we can—so the outrage about Peacemaker the new season isn't really about the inclusion of Nazis in stories, rather about the uncomfortable mirror it holds up. Some viewers appear annoyed because their brand of nationalism, what they view as love of country, could be misinterpreted as Nazism. The show's creator seems sympathetic toward this confusion—it's easy to enjoy your surroundings and ignore the bigger picture—but comes down with force on the idea all of us must reckon with: White nationalism, however it's dressed up, is a form of bigotry.

The Temptation of an Ideal World

As Peacemaker initially arrives in the alternate Earth, he discovers a flawless existence in which his dad and sibling are still alive offering the loving family unit he always wanted, and his love interest of his dreams returns his affection. These improvements to his personal life distract him to the countless clear indicators showing he has wandered into a dystopian, Nazified incarnation of the United States.

Expanding on this idea, Gunn suggests that we find it easy for all of us to ignore bigger issues if we gain from them, or enhance our personal situations. As an example, someone might be fine with an emboldened paramilitary force terrorizing innocent civilians due to the color of their skin when they believe this will in some way enhance their own life. Just the empty promise of a better job or a bigger home is sufficient to make us ignore to atrocities required to get there. The U.S. is a capitalist society, however prosperity doesn't necessarily have to come by causing someone else's suffering.

In other words: It's simple to overlook the big picture when you're focused on a few appealing details.

Interpreting Gunn's Intent

It's understandable that certain people might assume the show's creator is targeting them directly with Peacemaker the new season. He's the series' sole writer and frequent director, and he has a long history of loudly condemning the former president and his MAGA movement. That previously got the director fired from Marvel in 2018 after he attracted the ire of several conservative activists, who uncovered past, removed posts in a campaign to discredit and cancel him.

Gunn's publicly known politics have led to some extremely superficial criticisms of his projects. His recent Superman movie was lambasted as too woke and pro-immigrant. Additionally, a different online detractor became popular with a false claim regarding one character as a swapped version of another hero—a claim that was not accurate. In this case, though, I don't think Gunn is equating the political right to fascists. That's oversimplified for Gunn, and Peacemaker the storyline isn't even a plot line he invented: It is an adaptation on a DC comic decades old.

The Broad Message

Instead, the show is just employing a classic superhero trope to convey a theme of valuing equality compassion over personal gain. This idea relevant for all people, regardless of political beliefs, so it's a shame that those who need listen the most are too busy stirring up even more rage online to actually pay attention.