Peacemaker: Will Adebayo's betrayal be the anti-hero's downfall?

The rousing fifth episode of Peacemaker took a few jabs at some prominent pop culture figures while also deepening the anti-hero's relationship with the members of his posse, Project Butterfly.

Peacemaker and Project Butterfly uncover a secret lab that may hold the key to the alien-like butterfly creatures downfall in the latest episode.
Peacemaker and Project Butterfly uncover a secret lab that may hold the key to the alien-like butterfly creatures downfall in the latest episode.  © IMAGO/Picturelux

Friendships, secrets, betrayal, and a large monkey were all the central focus of Thursday's new episode of the raunchy DECU series.

Yet, the HBO Max show also took time to name-drop a few popular celebs and shows during a hilarious bit. Even Khloé Kardashian and Riverdale made the cut!

Nobody was safe from Peacemaker's tirade as he took out his frustration about his father Auggie's imprisonment - though we can all agree that the White Dragon deserves to be behind bars.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly argue about including their kids in media projects
Prince Harry Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly argue about including their kids in media projects

Nonetheless, John Cena again delivers another unforgettable performance as the lovable anti-hero who finally bonds with his comrades.

But the true star of the latest episode is Danielle Brooks' Leota Adebayo – the heart of the team with probably the most dire secret – as her relationship with Peacemaker gets more complicated.

After Project Butterfly successfully locates a secret facility where a hoard of butterfly-infected workers are making honey, the team scores a major win by destroying it and a large gorilla named Charlie, who had a butterfly stuck in his brain.

The band of somewhat do-gooders celebrate their victory and as Adebayo and Peacemaker have a cringe-worthy yet endearing heart-to-heart. Yet, when she plants an incriminating fake journal in his home at the bequest of her mother, things get messy.

Will Leota Adebayo's friendship with Peacemaker lead to his redemption?

In the series' fifth episode, Peacemaker (l) bonds with his teammates, including Adebayo (m) and Harcourt (r), after successfully destroying a lab that contained butterflies and honey.
In the series' fifth episode, Peacemaker (l) bonds with his teammates, including Adebayo (m) and Harcourt (r), after successfully destroying a lab that contained butterflies and honey.  © IMAGO/Picturelux

Of everyone that's a part of Project Butterfly, Adebayo is the only one to show an ounce of compassion towards Peacemaker.

Yet her loyalty to her hardcore mom Amanda Waller, played with vicious bite by Viola Davis, makes Adebayo's position on the team tricky – since no one knows the two are related. (The majority of the team hates Amanda due to events in The Suicide Squad.)

Realistically, Peacemaker and Adebayo have the most in common on the team, which tightens their bond. Both are stuck living in the shadows of their parents' sins and carry the burdens of their elders' unspeakable acts. Plus, Adebayo and Peacemaker both couldn't be more different from their parents, making their friendship more touching and believable.

Angel Reese arrives in Chicago in new "Big Barbie" Mercedes-Benz
Angel Reese Angel Reese arrives in Chicago in new "Big Barbie" Mercedes-Benz

Therefore, when Adebayo betrays Peacemaker by planting the fake diary, it's a painful and layered moment for viewers to endure.

While the diary's contents are still unclear, it's evident that the journal will lead to big trouble for the recently freed anti-hero – and he'll obviously be heartbroken that he has once again been double-crossed by a friend.

There's still time for Adebayo to make things right before it's too late, which could help Peacemaker get the redemption he's been seeking since his brother's death.

Will the pair's friendship endure, and will Project Butterfly be able to save humanity? Only three episodes remain in the DCEU series.

Cover photo: IMAGO/Picturelux

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