Peacemaker: What A Joke? The Full Story Behind Rick Flag's Dying Words And The Explosive Season 2 Updates
The phrase "Peacemaker... what a joke" is more than just a punchline or a dying declaration; it is the single most important line of dialogue in the entire arc of Christopher Smith, the titular anti-hero of the Max (formerly HBO Max) series. Uttered by Colonel Rick Flag Jr. in the final moments of their brutal fight in the 2021 film *The Suicide Squad*, this powerful condemnation became the catalyst for the character's profound journey of redemption and self-discovery, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated returns in the DC Universe. As of this current date, December 19, 2025, the weight of those words is about to be tested again with the confirmed, and highly awaited, premiere of the second season.
The line encapsulates the core conflict of the character: a man who claims to cherish peace so much he’s willing to kill any number of men, women, and children to achieve it. Flag’s final, scornful judgment cuts through Peacemaker’s patriotic façade, forcing him to confront the absurdity and hypocrisy of his own life. This deep, personal trauma is the engine that drives the character’s evolution, making the first season a surprising critical hit and fueling massive fan anticipation for the next chapter.
The Biography of Christopher Smith (Peacemaker) and His Defining Trauma
To fully grasp the impact of Rick Flag’s words, one must understand the man beneath the chrome helmet. Peacemaker, whose civilian name is Christopher Smith, is a complex figure whose actions are rooted in deep-seated childhood trauma and manipulation.
- Full Name: Christopher Smith
- Alias: Peacemaker
- First Comic Appearance: *Fightin' 5* #40 (November 1966)
- Live-Action Portrayer: John Cena
- Defining Creed: "I cherish peace with all my heart. I don't care how many men, women, and children I need to kill to get it."
- Family: August "Auggie" Smith (White Dragon), his abusive and white supremacist father.
- DC Extended Universe (DCEU) Debut: *The Suicide Squad* (2021)
- Team Affiliations: Task Force X (Suicide Squad), Project Butterfly
- Primary Conflict: The psychological struggle to reconcile his violent methods with his stated goal of peace, largely driven by the death of Rick Flag and the influence of his father.
The character's entire existence is a paradox. He is a hyper-patriotic killer, a 'douchey Captain America' as John Cena himself described him, whose moral compass is fundamentally broken. Flag's dying declaration, "Peacemaker... what a joke," is the moment the external world—a man he respected, Colonel Rick Flag Jr.—validated the internal shame and self-hatred Peacemaker had suppressed his entire life. The line acts as a narrative anchor, constantly replayed in Christopher Smith's mind throughout the first season of his solo series.
The Context: How Rick Flag’s Last Line Changed Everything
The pivotal scene occurs during the climax of James Gunn’s *The Suicide Squad*. Peacemaker is tasked by Amanda Waller with keeping the truth about the US government's involvement in Project Starfish (Starro) a secret. This puts him directly at odds with Rick Flag, who is determined to leak the evidence. The resulting fight in the Jotunheim facility is brutal and intimate, ending when Peacemaker stabs Flag through the heart with a piece of shrapnel.
The Weight of the Dying Words
As Rick Flag collapses, his final, labored breath delivers the cutting indictment: "Peacemaker... what a joke." This isn't just a casual insult; it is a profound rejection of the character’s entire philosophy. It tells Peacemaker that his pursuit of 'peace' through violence is not heroic, but a pathetic, self-deluding farce. The line is meant to sting, and it works, becoming the central emotional wound that the *Peacemaker* series explores.
- Character Impact: The line immediately fractures Peacemaker’s worldview, planting the seed of doubt that forces him to question his mission and his loyalties to the corrupt Amanda Waller and his abusive father, Auggie Smith.
- Narrative Engine: In the first season of *Peacemaker*, the ghost of Rick Flag haunts Chris Smith, appearing in his visions and forcing him to confront the moral cost of his actions, specifically the murder of an honorable man.
- Thematic Resonance: It solidifies the show’s theme that true peace cannot be achieved through blind adherence to authority or extreme violence, but requires self-reflection and genuine connection.
The moment of this killing and the weight of Flag's final words are what elevate Peacemaker from a disposable villain in *The Suicide Squad* to a complex, emotionally resonant protagonist in his own series. It is the narrative proof that his redemption arc is earned, not given.
The Deep DC Lore Connection: Peacemaker and The Comedian
The "what a joke" line carries an even deeper layer of meaning for hardcore DC Comics fans, connecting Peacemaker to one of the most acclaimed comic books of all time: Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' *Watchmen*. This connection significantly boosts the topical authority of the character.
The Watchmen Analogue
It is a well-known piece of comic book history that the character of Peacemaker was one of the original inspirations for The Comedian (Edward Blake) in *Watchmen*. Alan Moore famously created *Watchmen* after DC acquired the characters from Charlton Comics (including Peacemaker) and he was asked to use them in a new story. The Comedian is essentially a dark, nihilistic take on the hyper-militaristic Peacemaker concept.
The parallel is striking:
- The Comedian’s Philosophy: The Comedian's worldview is that "It's all a joke," a nihilistic belief that life, heroism, and morality are meaningless.
- Rick Flag’s Final Word: By having Rick Flag’s dying words be "Peacemaker... what a joke," James Gunn is directly referencing this deep comic book lineage. Flag is essentially telling Peacemaker that his life and mission are as absurd and meaningless as The Comedian’s nihilism.
This meta-textual layer ensures that the phrase is not just a character beat but a commentary on the very nature of hyper-violent, jingoistic vigilantism in the superhero genre, a theme *Watchmen* explored decades ago. It’s a powerful nod to the source material that elevates the entire narrative.
Season 2: The Aftermath and the Road to Redemption in 2025
The first season of *Peacemaker* saw Christopher Smith begin to shed the weight of his past. He killed his own father, Auggie Smith (The White Dragon), saved the world from the Butterfly invasion with the help of his new team (Economos, Harcourt, Vigilante, and Adebayo), and finally started to accept that true peace requires more than violence—it requires connection and vulnerability.
What’s Next for the Anti-Hero?
The biggest news, as of late 2025, is the confirmed schedule for the highly anticipated return. *Peacemaker* Season 2 is set to debut in the second half of 2025 on Max, with the premiere episode dropping on August 21, 2025. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, who is now steering the entire DC cinematic ship, has confirmed he will write and direct all episodes of the second season, ensuring a consistent and deeply personal vision for the character’s future.
The season finale is scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2025. This highly compressed, single-writer/director approach is a testament to Gunn’s commitment to Peacemaker’s character arc and its importance within the new DC Universe.
Key Entities and Anticipated Storylines for Season 2
Season 2 will undoubtedly explore the continued emotional fallout from Rick Flag's death and Peacemaker's new reality. The core conflict of "what a joke" will likely manifest in new ways:
- The Butterfly Threat: The Butterflies, a parasitic alien race, are still a factor, with Peacemaker now harboring the last surviving member of the species.
- The New Team Dynamic: The team, including Leota Adebayo, Emilia Harcourt, and the fan-favorite Vigilante, has a new, stronger bond, but the political fallout from Amanda Waller's exposure will complicate their missions.
- The Batman and Superman Cameos: The first season ended with cameos from the Justice League, a sign that Peacemaker is now firmly integrated into the larger DC world, which is a key focus of the new DC Studios slate.
- The Emotional Weight: Peacemaker's journey to truly shed the "what a joke" label will be the emotional core. He must prove to himself, and to the lingering ghost of Flag, that his pursuit of peace is genuine and not a symptom of his deep-seated psychological issues.
The line "Peacemaker... what a joke" is not just a memorable quote; it is the spiritual thesis of the entire series. It’s a challenge to the character, a moment of profound shame that forces him to grow. As we look ahead to the August 2025 premiere, fans are eager to see how Christopher Smith finally answers that challenge and whether he can truly transform from a joke into a genuine hero.
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