The following article contains spoilers for “Peacemaker” Season 2, Episode 8 — “Full Nelson”

Throughout “Peacemaker” Season 2, Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) consistently plagues Peacemaker (John Cena). This tension is understandable, considering Peacemaker killed his son during the events of “The Suicide Squad.” Although Peacemaker was merely following Amanda Waller’s (Viola Davis) orders, he’s the one who carried out the fatal act. In the season finale, Rick Flag Sr. unveils his ultimate scheme: discovering a planet, Salvation, deemed suitable as a metahuman prison, and making Peacemaker its initial inhabitant (unless anything else already occupies it).

However, Flag’s entire strategy has drawn significant criticism online. On X (formerly Twitter), users are vocal about Flag’s character arc being a major misstep in “Peacemaker” Season 2. For instance, @captaincupkicks expressed, “Chris getting stranded on Salvation just after reaching a healthy point in life is so evil, I wish Rick Flag Sr. was GONE.” Likewise, @ReignOfPride bluntly stated, “F*** Rick Flag Sr you should be dealt with IMMEDIATELY.” Much of the frustration stems from perceived character regression.

In “Creature Commandos,” he collaborates with metahumans and has a complex relationship with Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodríguez), whose cybernetic upgrades classify her as a metahuman. Despite this, he seemingly develops a sudden disdain for metahumans, rivaling Lex Luthor’s (Nicholas Hoult) animosity. With uncertainties surrounding James Gunn’s DC Universe’s future, determining whether this character evolution will be justified is challenging.

Observing Rick Flag Sr. in both “Creature Commandos” and “Peacemaker” Season 2 might leave viewers feeling like they’re watching two different characters. Fans are disillusioned with him, with @yannisnerdverse stating on X, “Rick Flag Sr. is nothing like the character in ‘creature commandos’ that he was in ‘peacemaker’ season 2 … I don’t believe the revelation about Chris killing Jr. justifies it.” However, these fans might be neglecting a critical line in “Superman” that may reveal his motives.

At “Superman’s” conclusion, Lex Luthor is incarcerated while the Justice Gang intervenes in global politics. Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) even assassinates the Boravian president, demonstrating a significant escalation of metahuman power. Amidst this, General Mori (James Hiroyuki Liao) remarks, “Glad you’re not concerned about the metahumans, Rick, ’cause now they’re the ones making the rules.” Viewers may have missed the lingering shot on Flag, as he seemingly grapples with his diminishing relevance in a world dominated by superpowered beings.

This scene from “Superman” might clarify Flag’s ultimate agenda in “Peacemaker” Season 2. Initially at odds with Lex, Flag now employs Lex’s former associates to locate Salvation. He might reconsider his actions if a favored metahuman ends up on this new world. Currently, Flag seems resolved in exacting vengeance on Peacemaker.