Abhiroop Das
Season 2 of Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ continues John Doe’s journey as an ace driver, changing his role from a delivery agent to a budding competitive racer who takes part in a deadly tournament. At the heart of this new development is the Chief Operating Officer of New San Francisco, Raven, who pulls the strings from behind and kick-starts the protagonist’s journey into the unknown. In the previous season, Raven is the one who sends John on the mission to retrieve a package within ten days in return for a permanent residence in the city, at once showcasing her power and enigmatic nature. In season 2, a new, more eccentric Raven takes her place, intensifying the narrative while adding another dimension to the conflict. SPOILERS AHEAD.
The New Raven Has a Personal Stake in the Racing Tournament
The new Raven of ‘Twisted Metal’ is introduced in the very first scene of the season. A deep dive reveals her trauma, which informs her deepest desire: the recovery of her comatose sister, Kelly. We see the exact circumstances that led to Kelly’s predicament in a flashback to 1998, when the two sisters caused trouble at a house party. While Raven scared her audience with ominous tarot readings, Kelly secretly drew satanic symbols all around the host’s room before hiding on the rooftop. However, disaster struck when she lost her footing, hitting her head before falling into the pool. While Raven manages to save her sister’s life, it’s not without consequences, permanently scarring the young girl. As such, she plans to win the race and use Calypso’s promise of granting any wish whatsoever to her advantage, restoring her sister to good health.
The new Raven is markedly different from her previous iteration, both in personality and approach to governance. The show itself highlights the contrast, using meta commentary to address the sudden change in the narrative. When John mentions how the previous Raven was easier on him, her present counterpart explains that the former leader of New San Francisco was too soft in how she handled things, both on a personal and professional level. She further claims that this approach led to the administration weakening and putting up a nicer image. According to this Raven, an iron grip is necessary for efficient pursuits of a goal, which she displays both on a macro and micro level, from the increased security personnel count in the city to the impositions she puts on George as her representative driver in the tournament.
Patty Guggenheim Adds a Comedic Touch to Raven’s Character
Patty Guggenheim steps into the role of Raven for season 2 of ‘Twisted Metal,’ using her experience and dynamic range to bring this complicated character to life. The actor began her career with guest starring roles in big titles such as ‘Reno 911!,’ ‘The Middle,’ Modern Family,’ and ‘Splitting Up Together.’ Additionally, she has also been a part of ‘Florida Girls,’ portraying Erica, a main character. Guggenheim’s most popular role is in Disney+’s ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ where she essays the character of Madisynn King. Guggenheim is also a talented comedian, having formerly been a part of The Groundlings troupe, which is known for its improvisational comedy. This shows the actor’s all-around expertise, making her a perfect fit for the show.
In an interview with Television Academy, Guggenheim expressed how it felt to play Raven, stating: “I’ve never played a character like this, and it was really fun to stretch myself and feel alright with [audiences] hating the character. Before this, I played a lot of harmless characters, like the life of the party. I think this is the first time I’ve gotten to play somebody who’s fully harmful. Someone who will go to great lengths to get her way; it was really challenging.” She continued, also speaking about her personal connection to the story, which traces back to her childhood: “It was so surreal. I mean, I played the game when I was a kid. I always played Sweet Tooth because I thought that was the most fun character to play. I remember, after my first day of shooting, I was like, I cannot believe I get to be a part of this. It feels epic.”
Neve Campbell Will Likely Not be Returning as Raven in Twisted Metal
With the arrival of the new Raven, it seems that Neve Campbell is no longer a part of ‘Twisted Metal.’ News about her departure from the show had been floating online in 2024, with a ScreamQueens Podcast tweeting in 2024 that Campbell had told them that she wouldn’t be a part of the upcoming season. Although the information has not been verified as of writing, the actor’s absence does give it some credence. Additionally, ScreamQueens claimed that she had cited budgetary restrictions as a reason for her exit, which might be one of the potential motives. However, another probable angle is the new Raven being a more accurate portrayal of her original video game counterpart, both aesthetically and narratively. Nonetheless, Campbell’s character is seamlessly integrated into the narrative as a predecessor to her new counterpart.
Read More: Twisted Metal Season 2 Episode 1, 2, and 3 Recap: Race Through the Walls
