Here Come the Butterflies– Peacemaker Ep. 6, “Murn After Reading”
Peacemaker ep. 6 finally reveals more about the mysterious alien race known as the butterflies. And why one of their own, is on the warpath.
Finally, we’re getting a rundown of who-knows-what in the tale of Christopher Smith. And after last week’s cliffhanger, it’s time we find out who the butterflies are and what they want.
This article spoils the f!@% out of ‘Peacemaker’ ep. 6.
Murn, Goff, & the Butterflies
The episode picks up right where it left off: with Leota on the ground and the butterfly-Murn standing over her. But Murn assures her that he isn’t going to hurt her. When Harcourt arrives, we find out that she’s known for a while, having figured it out herself.
Murn explains to Leota that the butterflies came to Earth because their planet was dying. They intended to just live peacefully among the humans, until Goff and some others began occupying the bodies of people in positions of government authority.
The process, which Murn calls “leaching”, is very painful for the human host. It’s unclear if a butterfly can leave a human body unharmed at this point, but I expect we’ll find out soon.
Murn confesses that he took over the body of the real Clemson Murn because he was an evil, murderous man. While this is the butterfly’s way of choosing the lesser evil, he’s still trapped inside of the mercenary’s body with Murn’s old thoughts and impulses. It’s clear that this echo haunts him. Hey-o! Once again, Peacemaker touches on themes of redemption.
We also find out that Economos knows Murn is a butterfly, but pretends not to.
Courtesy of HBO
Peacemaker on the Run
Meanwhile, the jarred-up butterfly in Chris’ apartment is, in fact, Goff herself. We find our hero sitting on the couch contemplating his conscience when Vigilante pops by for a hello. Together the two discover that Goff is capable of communicating.
All of this is going on while the police, who have released mega-racist Auggie Smith from jail, are surrounding Peacemaker’s home. Murn is finally able to reach Chris just in time, and he, Vigilante, Eagley, and Goff are able to escape through the skylight.
During the kerfuffle with the cops, Goff’s jar breaks. And as the detective, Sophie, closes in on our heroes, Goff flies down her throat and inhabits her body. This is really sinister and painful-looking, but it also gives Peacemaker and Vigilante a moment to escape.
That is, until they’re surrounded by cops. But Captain Locke shows up and executes the cops, which is pretty unnerving for Chris. When the detectives arrive, Locke describes a victim that sounds remarkably like the Hamburglar.
For a while there, it looks like Locke is going to suppress the incriminating diary that Leota planted in Chris’ apartment. But no, too good to be true, kids!
When Goff floods the police department with an army of butterflies, Locke becomes a part of that army. So of course, this week’s episode wraps with Peacemaker being declared public enemy #1. Meaning Leota is gonna have to take responsibility for her decision to obey Amanda Waller.
Who or What is the Cow?
Security footage reveals that giant goo warehouse was getting a delivery every three days. Economos traces the source back to a ranch, where the team believes the butterflies are storing the creature that produces their food underground.
Don’t Forget About the Evil Racist!
Meanwhile, Auggie is walking free. As he heads back home, he’s planning to kill Chris. While we don’t see too much of him this episode, we do see all of his white-hood wearing cronies suit him up in his White Dragon costume.
Courtesy of HBO Max
Peacemaker Ep. 6: Highlights & Easter Eggs
Peacemaker’s heartfelt piano rendition of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home” was, as always, a moving end to an episode. This show does an incredible job of using music to bridge the gap between Chris’ emotions and his ability to communicate them.
Vigilante’s ringtone is “Barbie Girl”. His password, his search history. Oh man. I could waste a few hours laughing at an app that’s just Vigilante’s phone.
Eagley’s fight scenes are intense. That eagle does not f@#% around!
The whole police station becoming butterflies was pretty bloody. But even creepier than that was watching all of them practice smiling in their new human faces. The scene gave me Edgar from Men in Black vibes.
Leota and her wife discuss moving back to Gotham. Don’t do it! Property values in Gotham seem like they’re trash. Too many empty warehouses and abandoned toy stores.
There’s also another touching moment when Harcourt engraves a dove onto a gun. At first, Chris criticizes the carving. But then he thanks her and says he doesn’t wanna kill people anymore.
He’s still okay with killing aliens though. Harcourt then apologizes for calling Chris a complete a piece of shit. She calls him by his first name, and tells him hers. It’s a real moment, y’all.
New episodes of ‘Peacemaker’ premiere every Thursday exclusively on HBO Max.
