Indeed, Danny is the heart of the show, and a representation of pure kindness. As Maura Lee says to Vic – in an incredibly topical monologue about a world filled with intolerance – a person needs to go to a place where they feel loved. Danny is that place. And the Dannyzens welcome, and soothe troubled souls. I challenge you not to get misty when Maura Lee and Flex envelop Dorothy with badly needed warmth, and make her feel important.
The authentic emotions represented by a sentient genderqueer street/brick, and their Dannyzens, is why the Willy Wonka “Pure Imagination” number works so well. Rather than a jarring detour, the musical interlude fits because a kinder world is possible; if you can dream it, you can make it happen, much like love can bring Danny back to life.
But with Danny off on their own adventures, can the Doom Patrol become a place where this misfit family feels loved? It remains a question mark, but there seems to be potential.
Also, Abigail Shapiro deserves recognition for the excellent work she’s doing as Dorothy. Not only is it great to have the Broadway actress sing in this episode, she’s navigating the childlike precociousness, innocence, and frustrations of a wounded forever 11 little girl who feels ugly and is desperate to grow up. Dorothy can easily become a Cousin Oliver type of character, but Shapiro demands empathy as Niles Caulder’s daughter. She is so successful I find myself getting pissed at the other characters when they are unnecessarily harsh to her. And Niles was a straight up jerk when he saw Dorothy wearing makeup.
Speaking of Niles, it continues to be a pleasure to have so much Timothy Dalton this season. He masterfully switches between Scientist Niles — offering up ecstasy to Cliff — Sweet Dad Niles, Overly Protective Jerk Dad Niles, Regretful Niles, and the Niles who can deliver a line like, “Listen to them, Vic, they’re the sexperts” with campy gravitas.
