Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1: James Gunn Spills the Tea on “The Ties That Grind”

Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1, titled “The Ties That Grind,” exploded onto Max on August 21, 2025, and James Gunn is dishing all the juicy details on the companion podcast, Peacemaker: The Official Podcast with James Gunn.

Hosted by Gunn alongside stars Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee, the latest episode, released on YouTube, unpacks the wild premiere with guests Frank Grillo and Sol Rodriguez.

From multiverse mayhem to emotional gut-punches, Gunn’s insights reveal how this DC Universe chapter sets the stage for a chaotic, heartfelt season. Let’s break down his commentary, dive into the episode’s highlights, and see what’s in store for the 11th Street Kids.

Highlights:

• Premiere Date: Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 1, “The Ties That Grind,” launched August 21, 2025, on Max.

• Podcast Hosts: James Gunn, Jennifer Holland (Emilia Harcourt), and Steve Agee (John Economos), with guests Frank Grillo and Sol Rodriguez.

• Multiverse Plot: The episode introduces a portal to 99+ universes, with Peacemaker facing his alternate self.

• Canon Clarity: Gunn confirms most of Season 1 is DCU canon, except the Justice League cameo, replaced by the Justice Gang.

• Emotional Depth: John Cena’s performance as a heartbroken Peacemaker is a career highlight, per Gunn.

• New Characters: Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. and Sol Rodriguez’s Sasha Bordeaux shake up the team dynamics.

What Did Gunn Say About the Multiverse Madness?

On the podcast, Gunn explains that “The Ties That Grind” is a bridge between the DC Extended Universe and the rebooted DCU, with a portal in Auggie Smith’s Quantum Unfolding Storage Area opening to over 99 alternate universes.

He teases that this multiverse element, introduced when Peacemaker (John Cena) encounters an alternate version of himself, is “incredibly important” to the DCU’s future, connecting directly to the Superman film released in July 2025.

The podcast reveals the episode’s opening scene, featuring the Justice Gang (Nathan Fillion’s Green Lantern, Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, and Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord), was shot concurrently with Superman to align the DCU timeline.

Gunn emphasizes that this retcon replaces Season 1’s Justice League cameo, ensuring “anything in the ‘Previously on’ segment is canon.”Fans on X are raving about the multiverse twist, with some calling it “mind-bending” and others speculating about how alternate versions of characters like Auggie Smith (Robert Patrick) and Keith Smith (David Denman) will challenge Peacemaker’s psyche.

Gunn hints that the alternate Peacemaker’s attempt to kill our Chris without hesitation foreshadows a darker, less heroic Justice Gang, setting up a season-long conflict.

Why Is John Cena’s Performance a Game-Changer?

Gunn can’t stop gushing about John Cena’s work in the premiere, calling it “one of his greatest performances” on the podcast. He highlights a scene where Peacemaker, spiraling from heartbreak and drug use, breaks down in tears, showcasing Cena’s dramatic range.

The episode sees Chris grappling with his past—killing his brother Keith and father Auggie—while confronting their alternate-universe versions in a lavish mansion. Gunn notes that this emotional weight, paired with the episode’s raunchy humor, like an explicit orgy scene, balances the show’s signature tone.

He warns that the episode “is definitely not for kids,” a sentiment echoed in posts on X about its mature content.The podcast also delves into the choreography of Peacemaker fighting his alternate self, with Cena’s stunt work earning praise from Grillo, who calls it “brutal and badass.”

Gunn reveals the fight, ending with our Peacemaker impaling his doppelgänger on a spike, was designed to show Chris’s growth—he’s not just a killer anymore but someone wrestling with his choices.

How Does the New Cast Shake Things Up?

Frank Grillo and Sol Rodriguez join the podcast to discuss their roles as Rick Flag Sr. and Sasha Bordeaux, respectively. Gunn shares that Flag Sr., now A.R.G.U.S. director, is a key antagonist driven by rage over Peacemaker killing his son in The Suicide Squad.

Grillo teases that Flag Sr.’s dark hair (a change from his grey in Creature Commandos) is an in-universe nod to his vanity, a detail Gunn kept because temporary dye looked “awful” during filming.

Rodriguez describes Bordeaux as a “wild card,” hinting at her complex loyalty to A.R.G.U.S. and the Justice Gang. Gunn praises their chemistry with returning cast members like Danielle Brooks (Leota Adebayo) and Freddie Stroma (Vigilante), noting that the premiere’s dance sequence showcases the team’s new dynamic.

The podcast confirms other new faces, like Tim Meadows as Langston Fleury and Michael Rooker as Red St. Wild, add humor and tension. Gunn laughs about Meadows’ “annoying but lovable” A.R.G.U.S. agent, while Rodriguez hints that Bordeaux’s arc will surprise fans by Episode 6.

What’s the Deal with the Opening Credits Dance?

Gunn dives into the new opening credits dance, set to Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord,” calling it a “sadder, more introspective” evolution from Season 1’s “Do Ya Wanna Taste It.” He explains that the 105-second sequence, choreographed by Charissa Barton, reflects Peacemaker’s emotional state—grieving yet hopeful.

The podcast highlights Eagly’s wing-flapping and the cast’s synchronized moves, with Holland joking about her “painful” stunt work. Gunn admits the dance doesn’t hit as hard as Season 1’s but argues it fits the darker tone, a view echoed by fans on X who appreciate its emotional resonance despite missing the original’s flashiness.

The sequence also teases the multiverse, with alternate versions of characters like Harcourt and Auggie appearing. Gunn hints that these visual cues, paired with the song’s lyrics about perseverance, foreshadow Peacemaker’s struggle to find his place in a “better” alternate world.

How Will Season 2 Shape the DCU?

Gunn emphasizes on the podcast that Season 2 is a cornerstone of the DCU, with Episodes 6 and 8 being his “favorite things I’ve ever done.” He teases “massive guest stars” from Superman, like Nathan Fillion and Isabela Merced, and says the season builds toward a larger DCU narrative.

The premiere’s connection to Superman, via the Justice Gang and A.R.G.U.S.’s new leadership, sets up conflicts that will ripple across future projects. Gunn also addresses canon confusion, clarifying that the podcast will explain what’s DCU canon weekly, making it a must-listen for fans.

Posts on X speculate that the multiverse portal could introduce characters like Supergirl or even a new Batman, though Gunn keeps specifics under wraps.

Some Closing Thoughts: A Wild Start to a Wild Season

“The Ties That Grind” and its podcast breakdown prove that Peacemaker Season 2 is swinging for the fences, blending crude humor, multiverse chaos, and raw emotion.

Gunn’s candid commentary, paired with insights from Grillo and Rodriguez, paints a picture of a season that’s both a love letter to fans and a bold step for the DCU.

With seven episodes left, dropping weekly until October 9, 2025, the 11th Street Kids are back to cause trouble and steal hearts.

Stream the premiere on Max, and tune into the podcast for more behind-the-scenes gold.