Abhiroop Das
The sophomore season of Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal‘ is all about the eponymous race, with powerful drivers from all around the world gathering in one place to test out their abilities. John Doe, the protagonist, and his team all show up for the race as well, not knowing the horrors that lie in wait. The buildup to the race is defined by their chance encounter with a raging driver named Axel, who is designed to be a hybrid between human and car. John and Dollface eventually strike a camaraderie with him, but that is soon put to the test when Axel is revealed to be a participant in the race as well. With all the chess pieces in place, the race commences, and many rivalries come to the surface at once. Players leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory, and risk becomes second nature. It is in the middle of this chaos that Axel’s internal dilemmas come to light, changing the course of the race as a whole. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Axel’s Sacrifice Saves the Life of His Loved One
Axel stands out as one of the racing tournament’s most fierce participants, with his unique construction allowing him to wield his physical prowess and mechanical abilities in one go. While he streamrolls past the first few rounds, things take a wild turn with the revelation that Mayhem is his long-lost adoptive daughter. From hereon out, Axel’s goal shifts from winning the race to protecting his loved one, which leads to the climax of the penultimate round. The intense battle royale leaves a trail of blood behind, and no one is spared. When Mayhem’s car crashes, John and Quiet rush out of their vehicles, and Raven sees the perfect opportunity to take them out with her electric beam. However, at the last moment, Axel steps in between the two and absorbs the shock, saving Mayhem from certain death.
Axel’s defensive stand isn’t without fallout, as the subsequent electricity and heat take a visible toll on his body. Seemingly on the brink of death, he musters enough strength to speak directly to John and Quiet, requesting them to take care of Mayhem. With this, his machine drives him out of the grounds, effectively terminating his participation in the race. While many visual cues, ranging from his injuries to the ominous nature of his final words, point to the fact that he died shortly after, nothing can be said concretely. Given that Axel’s dead body is never shown, coupled with the survival of Sweet Tooth following a near-fatal injury, a case can be made that he didn’t die due to the injuries, and instead, simply retired from the game.
Axel is Potentially Still in the Picture
One easy-to-miss detail might be the key to determining Axel’s fate. When he is attacked by the lightning beam, the strikes visibly pulse through his entire body and reach his arms. There, the heat generated is hot enough to melt through solid metal and severely weaken the vehicle’s connection to his body. While it initially appears to be bad news, this can be good news for him, as Axel has been wishing to be freed of his mechanical arms since his introduction. He has previously explained that his arms being forcefully converted into tires is the source of his internal anguish, and as such, this can take the form of a new chapter for him. Additionally, this lends credence to the idea of the character’s survival, as the dislodging of his arms is likely an intentional piece of foreshadowing left behind by the creators.
Axel’s survival is also probable due to his larger narrative and thematic significance, as there are simply too many threads connecting back to him. Mayhem still does not know that her missing father has been fighting right next to her all along, and it is unlikely that she will ever figure out the valid reasons behind his sacrifice. As such, their reunion is necessary for a proper conclusion to that plot beat. Furthermore, their alliance will mean a significant boost in the team’s offensive capability, which is a must-have for their upcoming battle against the world governments. Additionally, there is also his possible romantic relationship with Dollface. While her own situation is quite messy right now, there is room for both of them to get together in the future, with the entire conflict behind them. Axel’s arc has always been about quitting a life of violence, making it unlikely for him to leave the show.
Read More: Twisted Metal Season 2 Ending Explained: Who Wins the Race?
