Productively petty, and we love it
Beyond the necessary Niles discourse, we love the episode’s subtle pettiness. Using Mr. Nobody’s attempts to entertain himself in his vengeful void of nothingness, he reads through a spoofed version of a Forbes article. Just instead of Forbes, the DCU-version is called “Fiybes.” Or Maybe it’s Fivbes, we can’t tell for certain because of the photo layout that’s blocking the typeface.
It’s a playful jab at the real-world publications interesting takes on the series, and we’re glad that Mr. Nobody was apart of it of this in-series reference.
It’s now canon that Fiybes gave Mr. Nobody his masterful plot, and there’s nothing those Doom Patrol dislikers can do about it!
“A convoluted meandering plot that ends in a whimper,” seems oddly familiar to certain real-life reviews, but the villain with a cliched approach to revenge changes his approach by purposely bringing the Doom Patrol back together, just so he can toy with them endlessly. (Even if his plan got hijacked by a couple of bullies in love.)
Given Nobody’s abilities to overextend the white space, and hence thrive outside the comic-media-panels (and screens), the real-world callouts serve as a hyperbole of the main villain’s tendency to break the fourth wall. Using the episode to remind us the first season has been foreshadowing a new villain, this acts as a temporary farewell to Eric Morden’s reign as the main evil entity. Like most things in Doom Patrol lore, it’s bittersweet, even if Mr. Nobody is a horrible, horrible man.
The show more clearly foreshadows General Immortus. You know, Dr. Fuchs. Sure, he hasn’t officially been dubbed Immortus, but we just know he is. Regardless, we’re ready to see Immortus as the main antagonist in the not-so-distant future. After all, certain villains need a vacation from evil, too. Two villains particularly deserve some quality time together.