REVIEW: ‘Doom Patrol’ Season 3 – Episode 5 “Dada Patrol”

Doom Patrol Season 3 is in full flow, and it’s been just as weird as ever, with Episode 5, “Dada Patrol,” now available. The team goes on a mission looking for the Sisterhood of Dada to help their new house guest Laura De Mille, but they may have bitten off more than they can chew.

Developed and executive produced by Jeremy Carver, starring Diane Guerrero (Crazy Jane), Matt Bomer (Larry Trainor / Negative Man), Brendan Fraser (Robotman), April Bowlby (Rita Farr), and Jovian Wade (Cyborg), Doom Patrol tells the story of a dysfunctional group of metahumans that were the test subjects of a mad scientist on the quest for immortality. The episode is directed by Kristin Windell, who also led the prior episode.

In the previous episode, “Undead Patrol,” the team came back from the land of the dead with a curse, which turned them into zombies. However, that was not the strangest part of the episode as Darren Jones from the Department of Normalcy returned and kidnapped the possessed decapitated head of Niles Caulder. We still haven’t gotten to the strangest part, Darren was a mutant Were-Butt, and no, that’s not a typo. It was possibly one of the most bizarre episodes I’ve ever seen. So much to unpack.

Now in the current episode, the team is on the hunt for the Sisterhood of Dada as Laura De Mille attempts to reconnect with her past and jump-start her memory. As it turns out, the Sisterhood is also looking for the Doom Patrol, and particularly Jane, as they prepare for “The Eternal Flagellation.” The team is captured in a fog that is more than it seems, as the group is separated and confronts some odd entities.

While last week’s episode lacked a good through-line but leaned into the bizarre, this week’s episode had shades of both. The episode is heavy with dialogue but weird enough that it’ll captivate your attention. The introduction of Wynn Everett and her conversation with Jane lays the foundation of some future major conflicts with the members of the Underground. Guerro is such an outstanding actor, and any time she’s given space to emote, she delivers a fantastic performance.

Additionally, Cliff high on drugs was amazing. Having Fraser on screen is such a delight, and I hope this spawns new opportunities for him in other roles.

Wade had a chance to step into a bigger role this week, and it’s great to see him really flex his range. I have to remind myself frequently that he’s a British actor imitating an American accent, because wow, he makes it look so natural.

Overall, Episode 5 of Doom Patrol continues to highlight these amazing actors, who are steeped into a bizarre story and fully embrace the madness. While this week was a lot more dialogue, it resulted in a more impactful episode that adds to the plot for the central storyline. This show is one of the best comic book adaptations around.

Doom Patrol Season 3 Episode 5 is available now exclusively on HBO Max, with a new episode coming next Thursday.