Peacemaker may be named after Chris’ (John Cena) hero persona, but the series is more of an ensemble show than it seems, and because of that, there is no lack of interesting characters. Everyone from Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), who had her own personal journey in Season 1, to new introductions like Fleury (Tim Meadows), adds something new to the world, making the show the heartfelt and wacky story that it is. However, that isn’t to say that everyone gets the attention they deserve. A few characters have been unfairly sidelined, which is especially evident in Season 2, Episode 4, “Need I Say Door,” with the return of a memorable Season 1 character: Judomaster (Nhut Le).
Despite being introduced early in the show, there is very little context for Judomaster. He shows up every so often to face off against the heroes, but even in so small a role, he is an interesting addition to the series. Not only is he a shockingly impressive fighter, but he always has a good insult ready. Judomaster may be an enemy of the 11th Street Kids, but he adds a lot to the series, with intense fight scenes and a few good laughs. Though he is relegated to a recurring role, Judomaster holds a lot of unused potential, and it’s time for Peacemaker to change that.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 1 Made Judomaster a Unique Character
When he first came into the series in Season 1, Episode 3, “Better Goff Dead,” Judomaster was an unexpected challenge. His size makes him easy to underestimate, and Chris easily fell into that trap. He defeats Chris and Adrian (Freddie Stroma) fairly easily, preventing them from completing their mission and beginning a rivalry. But that is just the beginning. Judomaster appears in four of Season 1’s eight episodes, always fighting the 11th Street Kids. Economos (Steve Agee) and Adebayo each try to stop him, with Economos crashing his car and hitting him with a tire iron and Adebayo shooting him. However, Judomaster manages to survive, and by the end of the season, he is free, but too late to stop the destruction of the Butterflies. He makes sense as an enemy to Peacemaker, with an opposing fighting style that is not easy to defeat, but the series never addresses why the junk-food-loving martial artist is so hard to kill.
While Judomaster’s prowess as a martial artist makes him a fun addition as he challenges the heroes, the part of the character that is most intriguing isn’t explained: his loyalty to the Butterflies. By the end of Season 1, Peacemaker doesn’t make the Butterflies wholly evil, as they do hope to save the world, but even Chris acknowledges that their methods are misguided. However, Judomaster believes in the plan, following the body-stealing aliens of his own free will. Why Judomaster believes an alien invasion to be preferable to the continued pollution of the planet is another unexplained aspect of the character, which could turn him into more of an anti-hero than an enemy. If nothing else, it’s a perspective that no other character in the show has, making Judomaster an intriguing character, who must see the world differently than the heroes or ARGUS.
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Brings Judomaster Back and Still Doesn’t Explain Anything
Judomaster (Nhut Le) angry in Peacemaker Season 2
Image via HBO Max
Fortunately, Judomaster is back for Season 2. Although he technically appeared in Episode 3, it’s the most recent installment that allowed him to show off how well he would work as a more permanent cast member. Now with ARGUS, he is the only mask-wearing agent and has quickly earned a high level of trust, being the only one sent after Chris. Much like Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), Judomaster has a personal grudge against Chris, still angry about the events of Season 1. In a one-on-one fight with Chris, Judomaster shows off his skill, turning the confrontation into a brain vs. brawn situation that nearly gives him the victory. In fact, without the help of gravity, Chris would likely have been overpowered, and after Fleury and a team of ARGUS agents were defeated by just Eagly, it’s refreshing for the opponents to be a real challenge. However, the fight reveals little about the character that fans didn’t already know.
An earlier scene does a little better as Judomaster’s antagonism toward Economos and Red St. Wild (Michael Rooker) proves that his verbal sparring is almost as impressive as his physical attacks. Sitting in the ARGUS van on the way to Chris’ home, Judomaster confrontationally reminds Economos of their Season 1 fight, and when Economos shows no remorse, Judomaster calmly asks questions until even Economos admits he crossed a line. Despite their dislike for each other, Judomaster and Economos end up on almost the same side as they insult St. Wild for his offensive comments. As the insults fly, this exchange shows how well Judomaster fits into the show, even when he isn’t fighting, proving that he deserves a bigger role.
Judomaster Could Offer More to ‘Peacemaker’
Judomaster (Nhut Le) eats a cheeto in Peacemaker Season 2
Image via HBO
Peacemaker Season 2 has a lot going on between ARGUS’s determination to capture Chris and the parallel universe, but Judomaster’s return is a highlight, and he deserves more attention. The character has received no backstory and, besides a growing anger toward the heroes, no development, yet is already a memorable part of the show. At this point, it’s time for Peacemaker to commit to the character. Because he made the transition from Season 1 to Season 2, Judomaster is the heroes’ most consistent opponent, and still, Peacemaker has only revealed his affiliations, not why he chose these sides. A backstory could go a long way toward giving a fuller picture of Judomaster, and it would provide more exciting fight scenes and cutting insults along the way.
Judomaster is not a villain per se. He may fight the 11th Street Kids, but nothing he’s done establishes him as inherently evil. He cares about the earth and believes Chris has doomed it. More telling is the fact that every time he has fought the heroes, it’s been for someone else, either the Butterflies or ARGUS. Even after his reintroduction, so little is known about Judomaster that further development could turn him into a cunning villain or a hilarious, reluctant ally, and either would be an interesting journey. While his fight scenes are fun to watch, it’s time for the series to do more with Judomaster.
Peacemaker is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Thursdays.
Release Date
January 13, 2022
Network
HBO Max, Max