By Daniel Paiz

It didn’t seem like it was going to work out, but Twisted Metal has fired on all cylinders with season 2 approaching July 31st. Anthony Mackie (John Doe), Stephanie Beatriz (Quiet), Will Arnett (voice of Sweet Tooth), and Joe Seanoa (physical aspect of Sweet Tooth) amongst others have made a video game sparse with story and lore turn into an entertaining demolition derby of cars and emotions. Thomas Haden Church (Agent Stone), Jamie Neumann (Miranda Watts), and Mike Mitchell (Stu) also throw in some madness to mix it up. The most surprising factor of the first season is how many moving parts that rumble alongside each other so well.

Here are my Twisted Metal season 1 recap & season 2 predictions below.

Season 1 Recap

In this world of Twisted Metal there are delivery drivers called “milkmen” that take on dangerous missions between scattered apocalyptic locations across what was the USA. John Doe (Mackie) is one of those guys, gearing up to make a round trip from New San Francisco to New Chicago and back; he has been sold the dream life of someone who lives inside the big gates. Along his journey he runs into a woman that seem to be destined to get into trouble. Quiet is one half of a tragic duo that no longer exists, as her brother Loud was murdered (*looks at Stone*).

Going from city to city usually takes a team of people, or at least a duo. John and Quiet join up after some hectic incidents to get to New Chicago for the pickup. Other characters looking to find vengeance along the road (Sweet Tooth) or ride their power trip into the sunset (Agent Stone) are endless. There are colorful bandits along each pit stop, as well as milkmen outposts offering rest and relief.

A whole host of characters are encountered along the road to and from New Chicago: Granny Dread, Preacher, Pizza Boy, and even Bloody Mary (John’s old flame). Backstabbing is largely the name of the game. To be fair, those who are part of Granny Dread’s convoy only seek to help out fellow milkmen. Sweet Tooth and Stone get obsessive in their respective quests. This leads to all of these parties clashing as if we’re playing the video game in real time.

This show does an excellent job of exploring the trauma each character possesses. Stone and Sweet Tooth arrive where they are now due to how they handled difficult interactions. John and Quiet have to deal with loss in order to better understand how to shift forward. Miranda Watts, though only briefly in Season 1, adds some dynamic interference as well.

The biggest takeaways from Season 1 are:

• John has to figure out what happens when the road is no longer home. He learns that home is where you make it, which will be quite helpful in season 2
• Quiet has to figure out if there’s life after loss and injustice. Ep 10 shows she’s learned giving back and helping others is the best way to move forward
• Sweet Tooth is looking for revenge and using whoever he encounters. He realizes he was both using others and had been used in his youth. That feeling of no one there to support led to hyper independence, and a need to cast out others when they don’t follow his twisted plan 

Season 2 Predictions

The trailer shows many faces old and new in the tournament. Those with more power (Calypso, Raven) are appearing to hedge their bets. Some of these characters are right out of the video game, so it’s likely they’ll be treated like a fight ladder that John & Quiet have to get through. It will be difficult to determine if Calypso is actually offering a wish or giving himself an out to not owe other powers that be.

There will be two stories happening at once. The first is the tourney, while the second is whether there will be enough done to remove those in power and share resources with those on the outside. There will be blood baths, which will be entertaining and won’t seem as dark as it truly is. Doll Face and her crew might just make things even for whatever forces Calypso has at the ready.

In terms of certain characters showing up, it appears Axel and Mr. Grimm are slated to appear. No word on other characters like Carl Roberts or other older names from the earlier games. Agent Stone has been a big part of season 1, but it really doesn’t seem like any of the new characters introduced in season 2 will have that same kind of impact (either Stone returns or someone else steps up).

Perhaps with the minimal trailer footage of Mr. Grimm, maybe he takes the reins like Stone did as another big bad. John’s sister, who appears to be Doll Face, could also have that level of impact, but conversely for the “better”. Sweet Tooth will still get the most play outside of John and Quiet; Calypso needs more backstory as well.

This symphony of bullet and tire needs to match and maintain what Season 1 offered. Making a show out of this game franchise is no easy task. However, this cast has the firepower to deliver.

P.S: it would be very interesting to see if somehow those portals where drivers teleported to different parts of the map are included; would they do that?