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Doom Patrol: The Quotes and Themes from Season One That Hooked Me on This Wild TV Series
Image (L to R) April Bowlby as Rita Farr, Joivan Wade as Cyborg, Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane, Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor, Brendan Fraser as Cliff Steele in Doom Patrol (2019): Image Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros. Discovery
Based on the DC Comics series by Arnold Drake, Bob Haney, and Bruno Premiani, Doom Patrol is a Max original that follows a quirky group of superheroes dealing with their own messy lives.
With characters like Cliff Steele, a.k.a. Robotman (Brendan Fraser & Riley Shanahan), Larry Trainor, a.k.a. Negative Man (Matt Bomer), Rita Farr, a.k.a. Elasti-Woman (April Bowlby), Crazy Jane (Diane Guerrero), and their oddball leader Niles Caulder, a.k.a. The Chief (Timothy Dalton), the show mixes humor, heart, and a lot of real-life struggles into the superhero world.
The series premiered on February 15, 2019, originally on the DC Universe streaming service. Later, it moved to HBO Max, where it ran exclusively for a total of four seasons before concluding in 2023. It quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of dark humor, emotional storytelling, and wild, unpredictable plots.
Image of (L to R) Joivan Wade, Brendan Fraser, April Bowlby, Matt Bomer, Diane Guerrero Image Courtesy of Bob Mahoney / 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
A Different Kind of Superhero Show
Unlike your typical superhero team, Doom Patrol doesn’t focus on epic battles or saving the world (well, not most of the time). Instead, it’s all about a bunch of flawed, traumatized people trying to figure out their own lives while dealing with some seriously weird stuff. These aren’t your average heroes - they’re people who often don’t feel "super" at all. And that’s what makes this show so special.
While some of my favorite shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation and X-Men: The Animated Series at the time dealt with big-picture issues like cultural acceptance, war, politics, and discrimination, Doom Patrol zooms in on personal struggles. It's less about saving the world and more about saving themselves from their own inner demons.
Every character’s journey revolves around some pretty heavy mental health issues - PTSD, survivor's guilt, body dysmorphia, and a lot more. It’s not just about powers; it’s about the pain and trauma underneath. And somehow, the show manages to balance all that with ridiculous humor and insane plots.
Image of Brendan Fraser and Riley Shanahan as Cliff Steele, a.k.a. Robotman- Fraser plays Cliff Steele and voices Robotman who is physically played by Riley Shanahan- Image Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
Not Your Average Superpowers
Sure, these characters have abilities, but they’re not your usual flashy superhero powers. Robotman is literally just a brain inside a robot body. He can’t feel, touch, or cry - he’s stuck remembering what it used to be like to have those basic human experiences.
Imagine losing the ability to feel your daughter’s hand or the taste of your favorite food. It’s heartbreaking, and Brendan Fraser’s performance nails that emotional weight while also being hilariously grumpy.
Negative Man, on the other hand, is fused with some sort of alien energy being. His storyline digs into his past, showing how his choices hurt the people he loved, and how he struggles to accept himself as both a person and a superhero.
Then there’s Crazy Jane, who shares her body with 64 different personalities, each with its own unique ability. And let’s not forget Elasti-Woman, who has to literally hold herself together to avoid melting into a blob. These powers aren’t glamorous - they’re often more of a curse than a gift.
Image of April Bowlby as Rita Farr aka Elasti-Girl and Elasti-Woman Image Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
"The worst thing about not knowing your own past is that you’re doomed to repeat it."
- Eric Morden a.k.a. Mr. Nobody
Donkey Patrol S1 Ep2
“Don’t waste a goddamn minute, 'cause you never know when your time is up - Here’s to the good things that make no sense.”
- Clara Steele (Bethany Anne Lind)
Frances Patrol S1 Ep11
Image of (L to R) April Bowlby as Rita Farr, Joivan Wade as Cyborg- Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
Mental Health and Heroes Who Feel Human
One of the things Doom Patrol does brilliantly is how it highlights mental health struggles in a way most superhero shows don’t. These characters are all deeply flawed, and their powers don’t fix their problems - in fact, sometimes they make things worse.
Cyborg (Wade), who we usually think of as a Supertech hero, is dealing with the trauma of his mother’s death and a strained relationship with his father, all while trying to figure out who he really is beyond his mechanical parts.
Each of the Doom Patrol members is forced to confront their own demons, both literally and figuratively. Whether it’s Cliff trying to reconnect with his daughter or Larry struggling with the guilt of abandoning his family, these stories hit hard.
The show doesn’t sugarcoat their pain, but it also gives viewers moments of hope as they start to heal and find a sense of belonging in their odd little family.
Image of (L to R) Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor and April Bowlby as Rita Farr- Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
Weird, Funny, and Totally Unpredictable
For all the heavy themes, Doom Patrol is also a blast to watch because it’s totally unpredictable. You never know what’s going to happen next - one episode might have you in tears, and the next has a giant cockroach or a rat named Admiral Whiskers wreaking havoc.
And then there’s Mr. Nobody, one of the weirdest villains you’ll ever see, played by Alan Tudyk. He’s chaotic, meta, and adds another layer of absurdity to the whole show.
The writing is sharp, the action is fun, and the special effects are wild (in a good way). Even with all its craziness, the show stays grounded thanks to its heartfelt character development and its ability to mix humor with deep, emotional moments.
Image of (L to R) Tom Fitzpatrick as elder John Bowers and Matt Bomer as Larry Trainor a.k.a. Negative Man - Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros. Discovery
The Heart of the Show: Acceptance and Healing
At the core of Doom Patrol is the idea that no matter how damaged or different you feel, there’s a place for you. The characters start off feeling like outcasts - freaks, even - but over time, they find strength in their shared experiences. It’s not about being perfect or being a hero in the traditional sense. It’s about learning to live with your flaws and finding people who accept you for who you are.
This message of self-acceptance and mental healing resonates throughout the entire series. Whether it’s Crazy Jane learning to work with her multiple personalities, or Cliff slowly figuring out how to be a better father, these moments make the show more than just another superhero story. It’s about the messiness of life and how we all have our own battles to fight.
Image of Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane and The 64 of which Dr. Harrison is one- Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros. Discovery
Dr. Harrison, one of Crazy Jane’s 64 personalities, takes a moment to listen to the thoughts and opinions of her followers - a soon-to-be but reluctant hero actually paying attention to regular people. Even the villain, Mr. Nobody, sums it up perfectly by calling her actions "utterly and marvelously insane."
"Control is a weapon for the fascists"
- Crazy Jane/The 64
Puppet S1 Ep3
"You can’t live for other people, you have to be true to yourself."
- Larry Trainor
Cult Patrol S1 Ep4
The weirdest parts of this show will have you thinking long after the credits roll.
Image of Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane and The 64 of which Dr. Harrison is one- Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros. Discovery
"Once upon a time, my world was big and filled with monsters. But now the world is small… And I am the monster."
- Dr. Harrison/Jane/The 64
Paw Patrol S1 Ep5
MASH Spotlight
There’s something I’ve noticed about myself when it comes to picking quotes from a TV show. For me, it’s not just about the words, it’s the way everything comes together- MASH TV Show Spotlight: Read Quotes Filled with Wit and Wisdom—Plus Some Fun Facts About the 4077
Image of April Bowlby as Rita Farr aka Elasti-Girl and Elasti-Woman Image Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
This world… is a beautiful, horrible place. It’s spectacular. You don’t need the burden of ending it.
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Cult Patrol S1 Ep4
"Some girls may need to play little games. I’m a woman. I know what I want, and I’m not afraid to say it."
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Doom Patrol Patrol S1 Ep6
We can’t keep running from Mr. Nobody. A bully only has power over you if you give it to him.
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Flex Patrol S1 Ep13
"I‘m sick of having someone else tell my story. Badly, I might add. Therefore, I shall be narrating my own tale from now on."
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Flex Patrol S1 Ep13
"I know what it’s like to be a nobody. But as bad as that felt, I’d rather be a nobody than nothing. And that is exactly what you’re going to be if you don’t stop feeling sorry for yourself."
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Ezekiel Patrol S1 Ep15
"If you give up now, your story is a forgettable, disappointing defeat, but if you take up your narration once again, you can turn your tale into something beloved by all, told and retold time after time. A comeback."
- Rita Farr aka Elastigirl
Ezekiel Patrol S1 Ep15
Image of Alan Mingo Jr. as Morris Wilson / Maura Lee Karupt- Courtesy of Max/Warner Bros. Discovery
“Normal ain’t nothing but a state of mind."
- Ms. Maura Lee Karupt
Danny Patrol S1 Ep8
"I am proud of the person I see in the mirror. My face is Beat. My look is flawless, and I am dusted from head to toe. The only thing I am not is scared of you."
- Ms. Maura Lee Karupt
Danny Patrol S1 Ep8
"We have to own our mistakes no matter how terrible."
Edward Asner/Hospital Patient
Flex Patrol S1 Ep13
Image of (L to R) Joivan Wade, Brendan Fraser, April Bowlby, Matt Bomer, Diane Guerrero- Courtesy of Bob Mahoney-Max-2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Honestly, the word "hero" gets tossed around so much these days that it’s hard to tell who’s actually the good guy. Everyone - good or bad - seems to be lumped under that same label. That’s why I don’t want to call the Doom Patrol characters "superheroes."
The connection to them feels way stronger without leaning on that overused title. They’re just people - flawed, messy, trying to deal with life like the rest of us - and along the way, they do some amazing things to lift up others in need.
Image of Diane Guerrero as Crazy Jane The 64- Courtesy of Max-Warner Bros. Discovery
I’ve got to give a huge shout-out to @TribeOfPug (who I met while on Twitter back in the day) for putting Doom Patrol on my radar. With the sheer volume of TV and streaming content coming out these days, I might have totally missed it if it weren't for Pug's recommendation.
Now, it’s definitely one of my go-to rewatch favorites, even though it stings a little that the series ended way too soon.
So, thanks again, @TribeOfPug!
And hey, if you made it all the way through this, thanks for sticking around! If you’ve watched Doom Patrol, drop a comment below and let me know what you thought about the show.
Keep It Interesting and Stay Channel Surfing - Damian
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