Abhiroop Das
While season 2 of Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ primarily centers around John Doe’s participation in a deadly race tournament, it also dives deep into his past, particularly addressing the protagonist’s amnesia and the missing chunks in his family. This ties into a larger thread, one about the mysterious Doll Gang, which strikes terror in the outside world. While they are introduced in the first episode as a gang of looters, a closer inspection reveals a gang built on strong principles and noble goals. Dollface, their leader, soon becomes a key player in the game, with her actions rippling outwards and changing the course of the story. Behind the sadistic persona lies a complex character driven by her pursuit for justice. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Dollface Has a Deep Connection to John Doe
Dollface is introduced in the story as the leader of the notorious Doll Gang, a group entirely comprised of women united by their goal of levelling the playing field between those who live inside the walls and those outside. As such, Dollface is emblematic of the gang’s larger message and frequently leads raids into institutions catering to the insiders, liberating those oppressed under the system. She also has a deeper connection to the protagonist, John, who turns out to be her long-lost brother. Dollface’s real name is revealed to be Krista, and one of her motives is to reunite with John and protect him from the restrictive nature of the inside world. As an additional showcase of her narrative importance, Krista also recruits Quiet, training her to become one of the fiercest members of the gang.
Krista’s transformation into Dollface is revealed in a flashback, where she joins in on a high-level criminal meeting only to be sidelined due to her gender. Probing deeper, she learns that the women handle the business end, with the men merely exerting their dominance and raking in the profits. Instead of submitting to this, Krista fights back and urges the rest of the women to follow suit. As a group, they swiftly flip the hierarchy on its head, leading to the creation of the Doll Gang. With this, they take on a new purpose, emancipating women from abusive dynamics and giving them a platform to exert their agency. This is exemplified by the group’s social structure, which features women in all positions of power, with men like Jeremy simply assisting their operations.
Krista’s dynamic with John is no exception, as she consistently one-ups him with her experience and superior skill. Due to his amnesia, her brother has no recollection of his family life and has a hard time bonding with Krista. In light of this, we see a whole other side of her, that of a loving sister. She brings John to one of their favorite spots from decades ago; the Millennium Drive-in, where she uses cinema as a springboard to reignite his memory. Although her plan fails, their sibling bond quickly takes off, as during battle, they engage in comic banter and quirky exchanges typical of such a relationship. At the same time, she also respects John’s agency, choosing to allow him to participate in the deadly racing tournament. All of this compounds to create a full picture of the character as a leader, a sister, and an individual.
Tiana Okoye Brings the Character of Dollface to Life
Dollface is a dynamic presence who consistently adapts to her present, each time shining light on a new facet of her personality. Be it the side that represents ruthlessness, or the one that reflects compassion, both are encompassed seamlessly, making her one of the richest characters in the narrative. Actor Tiana Okoye essays the role of Dollface in ‘Twisted Metal,’ bringing a creative and aesthetic flair to the character. Okoye began her acting career with performances in short movies such as ‘Through the Looking Glass,’ ‘Being,’ and ‘Diana Leigh.’ In the latter, she was primarily a voice-over artist, which shows the breadth of her talents. Some of Okoye’s most iconic roles include Allesandra in ‘The Good Place,’ and Amanda in ‘The Valet.’
In an interview with TV Insider, Okoye talked about her fun experience working in ‘Twisted Metal,’ bringing special attention to its setpieces, which come hand-in-hand with demanding action: “The pod cars were so fun (… ) I remember thinking that same thing, just being like, Well, I’m gonna crash the car, but I won’t. because somebody else is driving, but I can pretend like I’m doing it.” She continued, describing the hard work that went into her performance, stating, “I learned all of the choreography. I practiced it. I loved it. I loved those sessions. I have a dance background, and so I feel comfortable in that movement. And this was the first job where I’ve really gotten to do stunts and play in that area. So I really, really enjoyed that.”
Read More: Twisted Metal Season 2 Episode 1, 2 and 3 Recap: Race Through the Walls
