The following contains spoilers for Doom Patrol Season 4, Episode 6, "Hope Patrol," now streaming on HBO Max.
The Doom Patrol Season 4 mid-season finale just confirmed that apocalypse is coming -- three times over.
Doom Patrol Season 4, Episode 6, "Hope Patrol" sets-up three potentially world-ending developments before the closing credits roll. First, there's the revelation that Cliff Steele (Brendan Fraser) rescued one of the zombie Butts that plagued the team earlier this season. Cliff kept said zombie Butt on ice, however, it escapes after he rushes to his teammates' aid. Then there's the threat posed by Immortus, whose arrival now seems imminent after Larry Trainor (Matt Bomer) willingly relinquishes his superhuman longevity to the godlike entity. Last of all, there's the danger posed by Larry himself. The bandage-clad superhero sees a vision of a future in which his out-of-control radiation destroys the universe, completing the Doom Patrol mid-season finale's doomsday trifecta.
Doom Patrol showrunner Jeremy Carver discussed two of the show's three cataclysmic concerns, Immortus and the Butts, in a recent interview. Notably, Carver explained that while both are capable of causing equal amounts of havoc, the Doom Patrol's showdown with Immortus will have bigger ramifications for the show's canon. "The existence of Immortus is an ever-looming threat. I will say it is a parallel threat to the Butts destroying the Earth," he said. "So, they have a couple of very big battles on their hands. The search for Immortus and the effort to stop Immortus is going to unearth some seasons-long mysteries that have been dangling out there. It's going to help the Doom Patrol understand themselves and their creations just a little bit more."
Is HBO Max's Doom Patrol Getting Canceled?
The Doom Patrol going head-to-head with more than one potential apocalypse in Season 4 mirrors ongoing speculation that HBO Max is weighing up whether to cancel the series. Carver previously downplayed online buzz that Doom Patrol's future is at risk, insisting that the show will stay on the air so long its storytelling standard remains high. According to Carver, this will remain the case provided Doom Patrol's writers continue to come up with "fresh and inventive" scripts that maintain the cast's interest in the show.
Carver reiterated his optimism regarding Doom Patrol's prospects in a subsequent interview, hinting at how the show might evolve post-Season 4. Specifically, the showrunner confirmed he's open to the idea of changing the Doom Patrol's line-up at some point further down the line.
The first six episodes of Doom Patrol Season 4 are currently streaming on HBO Max. Season 4's remaining six episodes do not yet have release dates.
Source: HBO Max