Twisted Metal Eps 6-7 Review: Series Reaches Epic New Heights

Look, we all knew Peacock’s Twisted Metal was building toward something big, but nobody expected the emotional gut punch that came with Dollface’s death in episode 6. And honestly? The show is better for it. This isn’t just another mindless vehicular mayhem series anymore – it’s become something that actually makes you care about these psychotic drivers before it inevitably kills them off.

The Moment Everything Changed for John

Dollface’s unexpected death wasn’t just another casualty in the tournament – it was the turning point that transformed John from a simple courier into someone consumed by grief and making terrible decisions. Her sacrifice to save John, Quiet, and Mayhem from Mr. Grimm’s relentless pursuit hit harder than any car crash in the series so far. The woman who’d become John’s surrogate family, the one connection to his past that actually mattered, got impaled by those medieval Knights of Nebraska and went out in a blaze of glory that took them with her.

But here’s where John really screws everything up. Instead of honoring Dollface’s memory by sticking to the mission, our grief-stricken protagonist does what any emotionally compromised person would do – he makes another wish. While Quiet drops her coin in that creepy magical well wishing to tear down all the walls (still the mission, by the way), John secretly wishes for his sister to come back to life. Because apparently one family member dying wasn’t enough trauma for one tournament.

Mayhem Finally Gets Her Moment (And a Better Car)

Speaking of people getting what they deserve, Mayhem’s arc in episode 7 finally pays off in the most unexpected way. After lying about being a killer and proving she can’t drive or shoot worth a damn, she stumbles into her first real kill when Chuckie Floop tries to steal her exit pass. The poor guy wanted to fly, and technically he got his wish – right out a window to his death after Mayhem smacked him with a severed hand.

The real win here? Mayhem inherits Chuckie’s ride, complete with an AI assistant that actually drives for her. It’s like the show finally admitted she needed help and gave her the ultimate training wheels. Sometimes the best upgrades come from accidentally murdering the competition.

Episode 7 Brings the Tournament Drama

The Warehouse District Warfare round should have been peak Twisted Metal action, but instead we got contestants slip-sliding around an ice rink like some post-apocalyptic hockey match. Sure, watching baby Preacher get curling-stoned across the ice while shooting people was absurdly entertaining, but where were the car chases? The vehicular combat that made the games legendary?

John’s guilt over his secret wish turns him into a walking disaster. He misses every GPS-guided turn to the exit passes, fumbles their head start advantage, and generally acts like someone who’s never driven before. The guy who’s supposed to be a professional courier can’t even follow basic directions because he’s too busy feeling bad about lying to Quiet.

The Holy Men’s death scene perfectly captured the show’s dark humor – using John’s own Boomerang Blast against them, only to have it predictably return and blow them up. The show wouldn’t actually kill baby Preacher (thank God), but watching two grown men celebrate a baby’s murderous instructions before getting hoisted by their own petard was peak twisted comedy.

The Bigger Picture: Calypso’s Mysterious Powers

Between John’s emotional breakdown and Mayhem’s accidental murder spree, the real story developing is whatever supernatural nonsense Calypso has going on. The flashback showing him as some mystical drifter spray-painting billboards with magic powers raises serious questions about what kind of tournament this actually is. When your eyes go black and hallways darken with your presence, you’re clearly more than just an eccentric organizer.

What This Means Moving Forward

With only five episodes left, Twisted Metal needs to balance multiple storylines while delivering the vehicular chaos fans expect. John’s betrayal of the mission creates genuine stakes for his relationship with Quiet, while Mayhem’s transformation from liability to actual threat (with AI assistance) opens new possibilities.

The tournament format works as a storytelling device, but the show’s strength lies in these character moments. Dollface’s death gave weight to the competition, John’s guilt creates internal conflict, and even Mayhem’s accidental competence feels earned after episodes of watching her fail.

Peacock‘s Twisted Metal succeeds when it remembers that the best destruction comes from emotional investment. Now let’s see if it can stick the landing.