The following contains spoilers for Doom Patrol Season 4, Episode 3, "Nostalgia Patrol," now streaming on HBO Max.
As HBO Max's Doom Patrol barrels on, fans have been privy to a few sinister tyrants. Alan Tudyk's reality-bending Mr. Nobody was quite the fiend, not to mention Rouge caused a lot of mayhem before her redemption this season. Niles Caulder/the Chief was also pretty manipulative; plus Season 3 had the shady Brotherhood of Evil in play.
Simply put, the series always finds a way of making obscure villains intimidating. Interestingly, Season 4 is kicking things up a notch, introducing the Zombie Were-Butts and a dark apocalypse in 2042. However, while the future looks bleak, recent actions by a key member of the team may well have created the scariest threat yet.
Doom Patrol's Keeg Damages Mr. 104
Rita is lured to a cinema in this episode, where she gets sucked into a movie-based reality. Larry/Negative Man, as well as the tormented Cliff/Robotman and Crazy Jane, arrive to help, only to get pulled in, too. However, they're rescued by Mr. 104, who seems to be a friend guiding them out. He confesses that Rita emoting is the key to escaping the cinematic prison. Sadly, he sells them out, confirming he's partnered with the architect of this construct, Dr. Janus. 104 can bend any element to his will, threatening to burn the heroes unless Rita abides.
She does so, going on to climb a wooden bridge to save her teammates. Shockingly, when it seems like Rita would fall into the flames, 104 pulls the ropes and steadies the bridge for her to get to her allies. He's straining and really going out of his way to help her, only for Larry's new spirit, Keeg, to attack him. The being only sussed out clues at the mansion and somehow teleported into this world, so it didn't have the full details before this assault -- something Larry condemns as he senses goodness in 104. Nonetheless, 104 yells in pain before a hot, white flashing light teleports the heroes home.
Doom Patrol's 104 Could Become the Ultimate Killer
Doom Patrol loves using cerebral killers with personal connections. Admittedly, 104 initially doesn't seem like he's hateful or intimately connected -- instead, he looks like he's abiding by Janus. Still, he's quite terrifying, homaging the DC lore. The character is based on Jonathan Dubrovny/Mr. 103 (later Mr. 104), who was created by writer Arnold Drake and artist Bruno Premiani and first appeared in 1965's Doom Patrol #98. Mr. 104 possesses the power of molecular reconstruction and can transform his body into any element of his choosing, which is on full display as he raises fire in the blink of an eye.
Thus, should he leave the fake world, he could come seeking revenge. After all, he had the chance to kill the heroes, yet he chose to aid them. This can result in him becoming a master of the world like Nobody, eking out a personal vendetta, especially against Rita. Seeing as Keeg's still a baby, 104 could pursue the being too, and target Larry along the way, using his powers to alter their very fabric. Ultimately, it looks like Keeg's impatience and rash attitude may cost the team, so one has to hope that if 104 lives, he's willing to listen, understand and forgive. Maybe he could defect and help them against Janus and whatever she's plotting with another impending threat in Immortus.
New episodes of Doom Patrol air every Thursday on HBO Max.