TV Review: ‘Twisted Metal’ Season 1, Episode 8
by Frank Martin
In many ways, this is a very important episode for Twisted Metal. It details John’s (Anthony Mackie) past and how he came to own Evelyn, his car. Also, the present timeframe depicts a climax of sorts between John and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) as he chooses to go after his car instead of escaping with her. From a writing standpoint, this episode was fairly well done. It juxtaposed John’s upbringing with who he is in the present and how it conflicts with Quiet . It answers a lot of questions about John’s character and how it relates to his car, which is a major payoff given that it occurs this late into the season.
After accidentally losing John’s photo at the window, Quiet is also responsible for Evelyn getting stolen. John and Quiet track the car to a Holy Men compound. They try to get the car back, but John goes on alone when Quiet decides to escape. This results in a battle between John and the mysterious Preacher (Jason Mantzoukas), which ultimately causes Evelyn’s destruction. This is a huge blow for John as it is also revealed in this episode that it was his home and friend ever since he was a boy lost in this post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Throughout the entire season, John has a very peculiar relationship with his car. This episode reveals how and why that is. The car has protected him and pretty much been his family when he had nothing. For decades, Evelyn has been everything to John. So it’s very telling that he would risk everything to get her back. Of course, this causes a rift between him and Quiet. But with two episodes left in the season, there is definitely time for them to come back together and for John to reconcile the loss of his car with the loss of the one person he cares about.
Twisted Metal is streaming now on Peacock.
