- Two Creature commands The stars have opened up about episode 4’s big plot twists.
- Maria Bakalova has teased how a surprising revelation from Ilana will keep viewers guessing until the end of the show.
- Sean Gunn explains how he approached Weasel’s heartbreaking story from a voice acting perspective.
Creature commands Episode 4 marks the official midpoint of Max’s show, and might be the most revealing chapter of the R-rated animated series yet.
Based on its seemingly innocent title ‘Chasing Squirrels’, Creature commands‘The last entry doesn’t seem to be particularly shocking on the surface. However, appearances can be deceiving, and episode 4 proves just how true that statement can be with two big plot twists that few will have foreseen.
The main spoilers for ‘Chasing Squirrels’ immediately follow. Don’t skip this point if you haven’t seen the latest episode of the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU) show yet.
A pokolistaní plan to dominate the world
The first surprise turn of events centers on Princess Ilana of Pokolistan. As I explained in another Creature commands Exclusive to episode 4, based on the apparent debut of the DCU Justice League, it appears that the de facto ruler of Pokolistan is not as innocent as he seems. In fact, when the series’ supposed main villain Circe shows ARGUS boss Amanda Waller a potential vision of the future, it’s a premonition revolving around Ilana and Pokolistan autocratically ruling Earth.
Later in the episode, Waller turns to Dr. Ilana MacPherson, a university professor who specializes in Themyscira, also known as the birthplace of Circe and one of the three great references that Creature commands includes a preview of Wonder Woman’s eventual debut in the DCU. As MacPherson explains, Circe is clairvoyant, meaning she is not able to imagine possible future scenarios on the spot. So, that must mean that Circe is telling the truth about Ilana and Pokolistan.
Or is it her? Speaking to TechRadar ahead of the release of episode 4, Maria Bakalova, who voices Ilana, suggested there will be more twists and turns before then. Creature commands‘ final chapter, which will keep viewers on their toes and ensure they don’t know if they can trust Ilana, MacPherson or Circe.
“It’s an interesting reveal,” Bakalova said with a smile when I asked her about Episode 4’s plot twist. “It’s done in such a gentle way that it makes you think, ‘Is this real or is Circe lying?’ You don’t know. who you can trust outside of Circe or Ilana. I’m very happy that the show is constructed in a way that maintains that tension throughout, so you can’t tell if Ilana is as good as Rick Flag Sr. thinks she is, or if she’s actually the bad guy in all of this. You’re never completely convinced.”
The tragic story of the weasel
As I mentioned, there’s another great story-driven moment in the fourth episode of one of Max’s best shows, and it focuses squarely on Weasel.
Weasel’s backstory has been referenced throughout. Creature commandswith different characters mentioning that he was accused of killing 27 children. That’s the reason he was incarcerated at Belle Reve Correctional Center in the first place.
Or so we were led to believe. In an emotionally devastating flashback sequence, which intersects with the current story of the DCU Chapter One series, we learn that Weasel actually tried to save a group of children when a fire breaks out at their school. However, he does not do so because he is shot and captured by law enforcement officers, who mistake Weasel for causing the fire and, in their opinion, trying to steal the children to eat him.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn previously described episode 4’s harrowing trip back in time as one of the saddest things he’s ever written. True as this may be, such scenes require performers – among other things, like their musical score – to effectively communicate how impactful these moments are. So how could Sean Gunn, James’ brother and the voice actor responsible for playing Weasel, convey so much angst with a character who can’t speak?
“As an actor, sometimes you don’t have the tools to make something work,” Sean Gunn told me before the release of episode 4. “When I play Weasel, all I have is squeals and growls and snarls.
You don’t know who you can trust, Circe or Ilana
Mara Bakalova, Creature Commandos voice actress
“But James and I talk a lot about how Weasel is like a big dog, and anyone who has a dog knows that they are incredibly emotional creatures that can experience joy, pain, sadness, all that kind of stuff. So, that’s what I’m saying. trying to get to the heart when recording Weasel was really interesting because, in [2021 DCEU movie] The suicide squadHe was an afterthought who was seen as a fool and simply a form of comic relief. Being able to take that character and have to do something with him that has real emotional resonance, that was a big challenge for me, but I really loved doing it.”
Do you want to read more exclusive? Creature commands articles? Check out other articles I’ve written about the adult animated show below. Oh, and be sure to check back later for my coverage of the James Gunn trailer. Superman movie.
