TITLE: James Gunn Surprised by Fan Reaction to Peacemaker’s Earth X Twist
Peacemaker’s Big Reveal Stuns Fans
In the world of Peacemaker Season 2, last week’s episode delivered a major revelation that has become the center of online discussion. The show’s creator, James Gunn, recently shared that he didn’t anticipate how quickly viewers would catch on to the truth about Christopher Smith’s pocket dimension.
The Earth X Connection
In the aptly titled episode “Ignorance Is Chris,” it’s revealed that Smith’s seemingly perfect dimension—where he and his family are celebrated as heroes—is actually the DC Universe‘s version of Earth X. For those unfamiliar with the comics, Earth X represents a parallel reality where Nazi Germany emerged victorious from World War II, establishing global dominance.
This revelation explains why Chris’s white supremacist father fits perfectly into this dimension as a superhero figure. The episode’s climax shows Chris in shock as he realizes the absence of Black people in his self-imposed isolation, while his friend Adebayo faces a terrifying scene reminiscent of racial persecution.
Gunn’s Surprise at Fan Perception
Speaking about the fan reaction, Gunn expressed surprise at how quickly viewers identified the twist. “I think everybody online noticed what was happening, but also because they were discussing it,” Gunn revealed. “I showed the whole season to people before that and they did not notice at all.”
The director noted that his test audience—comprising people of various racial backgrounds—completely missed the visual clues about the all-white background extras in Earth X scenes. Gunn attributed this to the show’s dimensional transitions serving as a buffer for casual viewers.
Handling Sensitive Themes
Gunn emphasized the careful approach taken with the episode’s sensitive subject matter. The scene where Adebayo is chased by an angry white crowd required particular attention to balance humor with the genuine terror of racial persecution.
“We’re dealing with a very sensitive subject,” Gunn explained about his discussions with actress Danielle Brooks. “We’re dealing with racism and at the same time, there’s humor in this episode. And so, you’re dealing with something very delicate and yet we’re not being delicate about it—but I think we’re being thoughtful about it.”
The director’s comments about fan reactions to this significant plot development were particularly insightful, as detailed in his recent interview about the series’ surprising reception.
Why the Twist Resonated
The effectiveness of the Earth X reveal lies in its subtle buildup throughout the season. Early episodes featured visual clues that eagle-eyed fans began discussing as early as episode three, speculating about the all-white background cast in Smith’s pocket dimension.
Gunn noted that once viewers started comparing the racial diversity between dimensions, the truth became apparent: “The minute you see that, you’re like, ‘Oh, shit. Yeah, he’s in a not so great place.'”
This careful storytelling approach demonstrates Gunn’s commitment to creating layered narratives that reward attentive viewing while addressing complex social themes through the lens of superhero storytelling.
